UPDATED: 

05/14/2020 | 12:00

Grace Response:
Coronavirus / Covid-19

UPDATE: May 14, 2020

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

We have wonderful news! Based on National and State advisement, on May 17th, 2020, Grace Community Church is pleased to announce the re-establishment of public worship services and ministry gatherings!

It's been a long time coming, but we want to adhere to some modified guidelines in order to balance our right to assemble and gathering with reasonably good public health practices within the context of our region.

GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING GRACE

I. DATES

A. Opening Day: May 17

B. Two Services (9:00 and 10:45):

1. Adults in Worship Center

2. Children=s Ministry in Children’s Building:

a. Nursery Side

b. Children's Side

c. Area 58 in Student Building

3. Student Ministry:

a. Pulse Sunday Evenings

b. Amped Wednesday Evenings

4. Celebrate Recovery - Friday Evenings in Children’s Building

C. Online services will continue for Adults, Children, and Students

D. Additional live services will be considered if necessary

II. GUIDELINES FOR ALL SERVICES

A. Entrance Guidelines:

1. Staff or Selected Greeters open doors - entering and exiting; enter through the main south entrance only

2. Inside doors remain open (except nursery)

B. Social Distancing:

1. Six feet between people will be encouraged

2. Pastor Rick will guide seating before service begins from the platform with the help of the Safety Team and Ushers

a. Seating in every other row

b. Families may sit together

c. Four chairs between people

3. Hugs and handshakes are discouraged

C. Stay home if you:

1. Feel sick, have a fever, sneezing, coughing, running nose

2. Have a sick family member

3. Are in the "at risk" category because of age, compromised immune system, pre-existing condition, don't feel comfortable attending

D. Attendees are encouraged to sanitize hands entering and exiting

E. Masks and gloves are optional for attendees

F. No judging - everyone's opinions and feelings are respected (Read Romans 14)

G. Café Grace will be closed - no coffee or water served

H. Children=s Ministry Staff will check the temperature of all children, staff and workers before entering the building

I. Exit instructions:

1. Encourage attendees to avoid contact with at risk people when they leave

2. Dismiss by rows - exit immediately outside using all three main exits

III. RESOURCES/SUPPLIES

A. Hand sanitizing stations outside every entrance

B. Staff/Selected Greeters at each entrance

C. Clean/sanitize high-touch areas between services

D. Safety Team and Ushers to help seat people

E. Extra masks available in the lobby

F. Offering buckets at the auditorium doors

G. Individual communion servings - distributed at the doors by ushers wearing gloves and collected in trash bags by ushers after communion

H. Bulletins/sermon notes handed out by Greeters wearing gloves

Coronavirus or Covid-19 has become one of the most dangerous and disruptive viruses in recent history: 4.4 million have been infected and 298,000 have died.  We praise God that the worst is over, but we'll need to continue to be diligent in keeping "the curve flat."  

​

Please go to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention for more information, but we encourage you to think about a few things: 

​

• First, act with faith, not fear.  2 Timothy 1:7 says "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."  There's a lot of scary things going on.  We cannot stop circumstances or the way others react - but we have absolute control over what we think and feel. 

  • Read Psalm 57, if you get fearful or nervous.  Pray for governments and leaders as they adapt and lead, and make policy; pray for the people affected; pray for the stoppage of this virus. Praise God for the 112,000 who have recovered - and that they'll not relapse. 

  • Ask the Father to reveal to you what YOUR part is for revealing his glory.

  • Love your neighbor.  Call and ask people who can't or shouldn't venture out if you can go to the store for them.  

  • Use Facetime and Zoom to connect with people via the internet!  Always pray together!
     

• Second, please abide by governmental restrictions that have been put into place.  As a reminder, here are the  CDC suggestions and long-established common-sense behaviors you should already be implementing: 

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth (which of course, is very hard not to do!).

  • Stay home when you are sick. 

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (what's that?  Sing "happy birthday" to yourself twice while washing!), especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

​

That's it!  Stay tuned!  FAITH not fear!  Wear a stylish mask out and about, and wash those hands!

​

​

​