June 5, 2020 (Friday)
Below is the letter that explains the guidelines we will follow as the church family re-gathers on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am at Grace. Please remember that if you do not yet feel comfortable to attend in person please join us on Facebook LIVE on the Church Facebook page.
Over the last few months we have not ceased being a church! God has been actively working through Grace Community Church and blessing us. However, we have certainly missed the joy of gathering to worship, fellowship, serve and study the Word together. This letter is written to explain the details of Grace's regathering. Before getting into specific, please allow me to first say that you need not feel pressured to resume attending. While we will be working hard to take protective measures, only you can decide when the right time to regather is for you. This is especially true for those in a high-risk category. If you choose to take a "wait and see" approach you can still join us on Facebook LIVE. We are not certain what our future services will be like on Facebook Live, but we plan on continuing them in some shape or fashion.
* Seating in the auditorium has been organized to help people have more space. The chairs are not linked together and you are welcome to move them so that your family can sit together and still have distance from others.
* We will not be taking people's temperature, but please stay home if you have any symptoms.
* Masks are optional. Please respect each other's personal choice and please do not take issue with what someone else decides to do.
* For at least the first week (or two), the service will be shortened to under an hour.
* Offering bags will NOT be passed during the service. There will be two collection areas in the back of the auditorium. You can pick up a bulletin at these areas.
* There will be a designated section of seating for high risk folks such as our senior saints. You may enter and exit through the front "side" (the old entrance) near Hope Ministries. This is not mandatory, it is offered for your encouragement. Please do not use that entrance unless you plan on utilizing the special section.
* Please try to avoid congregating in the Welcome Center or at the back of the auditorium.
* Handshakes and hugs, which are a big part of life together at Grace, are not to be assumed. What one person is comfortable with might make another person uncomfortable. I am reminded of what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Do you remember the context of this verse? Paul was pointing to the humility of Jesus and of His sacrifice for others. It is always the right time to follow His example.
* The Children's Worship Room will be open and the service will be available for viewing in that room if you need to take a young child out of the auditorium due to restlessness. This is NOT a drop-off room; you must stay with your child.
* Youth group and other small group ministries, which have found creative ways to remain active, will regather soon with appropriate adjustments. Please check with your small group leader. By the way, if you are not part of a small group this is an ideal time to explore the possibilities. Please contact Pastor Paul for information.
* If you decided not to regather for now, PLEASE let a staff member or deacon know. We don't want to lose track of you and we definitely want to minister to you in any way that would bless and encourage you.
Whether your regather with us on Sunday mornings or worship us via Facebook LIVE, every time we are together it is a special day. Here is what I pray every day, and I invite you to make this your prayer, too. It is from 1 Peter 3:18 and it is the last thing Peter ever wrote: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." Here is how I pray that verse: "Dear Lord, please help everyone who is part of Grace Community Church, to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ today. Amen." Keep praying!
Grace to you,
Pastor Jay
P.S. And as always, please continue to check our website daily at www.gracecommunity.net for updates and news.