Worship Gathering Guidelines
We’re so excited to come together and worship as a family again on May 10.
As we resume meeting together, while Romans 13 does speak into our situation, our guiding biblical principle is found in Philippians 2:3-5 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, We’re doing all of this to love our brothers and sisters, as well as our neighbors while being sensitive to the varying levels of comfort different people will have in group settings during the coming weeks.
There are certainly a variety of thoughts and opinions regarding the current situation. In an effort to consider others first (fellow members as well as the community), for the next few weeks, we’ll be doing a few things differently as we work our way back to “full normal.”
• May 10 will be worship only.
Sunday school will resume in a few weeks. There will be no preschool child care on May 10 - we’ll all be worshiping together as families. Please be patient with our toddlers as many of them have never joined us in a worship gathering.
• Sanctuary Seating
Sit together as a family, maintaining proper social distance (6’ apart) from other families. Please keep three empty chairs between you and the nearest family and don’t sit directly in front of or behind anyone. Our Ushers may ask you to adjust where you’re sitting in order to accommodate everyone.
• No Hugs or Handshakes
While this is going to be very difficult for many, if not most of us, we’re asking these things for the sake of everyone. As we strive to love our neighbor, and with much still unknown about this virus, for the first several weeks we’re together, it’s wise to maintain distance this way. We certainly don’t want to inadvertently spread the virus between us or cause someone else to be uncomfortable because of physical contact among our members.
• Wash Your Hands
Please be conscientious to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. There is hand sanitizer in the foyer and gym.
• Masks
There are masks available in the foyer if you would like to wear a mask. This is by no means required, but if wearing one makes you feel more comfortable, they’re provided for you. If you use a disposable mask, please be sure to throw it away. If you use one of the cloth masks, you may keep it, or return it to the “to be cleaned” bin in the foyer so it can be sanitzed.
• Bulletins & Printed Materials
We’ll continue emailing the bulletins each Friday and printing only a few bulletins so that there are less things to handle.Printed bulletins will be set out in the foyer so that you can pick them up individually.
• Greeters & Receiving the Offering
Our greeters will be appropriately positioned in the foyer to welcome everyone and help keep “high touch” surfaces clean. When the weather permits, we’ll be keeping the foyer doors open so that everyone isn’t touching the door handles as they enter and exit. Once services begin, they’ll be opening doors for everyone.
Offering: Instead of passing the plate, ushers will be situated by the doors as you leave the auditorium to receive your offering.
• Food & Drinks
When we have food and drinks in the coming weeks (we’re Baptist after all!), they’ll be served by servers wearing gloves for everyone’s protection. Please wait for someone to serve you rather than serving yourself. This simple action protects everyone. Parents of younger children please help your children participate in this by going through lines with them.
In the coming weeks, we plan to return to our normal routine, but in the meantime, let’s consider others first and continue trusting the Lord as we strive to glorify and honor the Lord Jesus Christ in everything we do.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob
Pastor Rob
