Hello Everyone!
Please read this ENTIRE email. All the details are important for our regathering.
This Sunday we will regather as a church family! Everything from this point forward will be very fluid as we adapt and adjust to changing guidelines from the state as well as learning from our own real time experience. Also, the guidelines given to us by the state for a phase one reopening are not the way it will be forever, but it might be a couple of months or more. So let's be thankful for, and rejoice in, the good stuff that's starting to happen and not focus on, and fret about, the restrictions that are still in place.
First of all, I want to remind everyone of the need for great love and grace toward one another as we navigate the regathering of the church both as a church body and as individual members. There is no shortage of information to be gleaned from websites, news media, friends who know people who know things, doctors, doctors who disagree with the aforementioned doctors, YouTube videos, and a plethora of other sources.
Since the information is abundant and often contradictory, it will be impossible that each of us as individuals will all agree with one another on the source, severity, contagiousness, treatment, preventative measures, and acceptable social behavior surrounding COVID. Not only will we disagree but many will disagree with great conviction, intense passion, extreme frustration that nobody else but "me" gets it, and the total conviction that "I" am right. We can't all be right when our opinions or beliefs are so contradictory. So...we have to choose a path and move forward as a church family willing to give each other lots of love and grace.
This would be a great time to pause and reflect on a couple of verses. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, NASB95)
The state guidelines for the regathering of churches includes a maximum worship attendance of 50 people regardless of the size of the sanctuary. Yup. You read that right. No more than 50 people, including the staff leading the service, may be in the sanctuary at one time. This means we will have to go to at least 3 services, maybe more.
However, we have a resource that can be used for gathering everyone in one place at one time and we are going to give it a try this weekend. It's called 15 acres of open land on the corner of Fillmore and Mesa! That wonderful God-given gift that will soon hold our new facility. The state guidelines allow for meeting in the open air without a numerical restriction. Yay!
This is exciting! But, of course there are some details that will surely dull the glimmer for some. But hopefully just a little, and certainly even with the glimmer dulling details it will be way more enjoyable than worshiping at home from your couch.
Here's what we are doing this weekend, I repeat...this weekend. The following weekend may or may not be the same.
1. We will gather for worship on the new church property. Wear comfortable, casual, cool clothing like you would when we have service at Bear Creek Park. Of course, this is weather dependent. Right now the forecast looks favorable but if you wake up on Sunday morning to torrential rains, 80mph winds, or any other forbidding weather, there will be no on site service and we will let you know on Sunday morning via our website and Face Book what plan "B" is.
2. The worship service will begin at 8:00am and last no longer than 1 hour. In order to allow time for parking and getting to your "seat" please arrive at least 1/2 hour early. the gates will open at 7am. I know. That's pretty early to get up and get going, but any later and we will be sweltering like fresh caught trout frying in a cast iron pan. Delicious!
3. Come in from the east entrance off Grand Vista Circle. Grand Vista is the road right next to the Healthcare Resort. As you turn onto Grand Vista, the Healthcare Resort will be on your right. Just past the Healthcare Resort will be an open gate to the right. That is the entrance to our property. Parking attendants will direct you when you arrive. If you have trouble walking, you will be parked in a place where you won't have to walk far. Just let a parking attendant know your situation.
4. Bring lawn chairs for your family to sit on. A blanket on the ground works too, but no napping. If you don't have a lawn chair, or folding chair, maybe you could ask a friend to bring extra for you, Some water would probably be a good idea too.
5. Find a spot and plop yourself down. Just make sure you are at least 6' from other family groups. The governor says so. And avoid shaking hands unless you have 6' long arms and hands made of Lysol.
6. Wear a mask. The governor would like you to. Someone sitting near you may also wish you were wearing a mask and someone else might not care. I know, we're outside, 6 feet apart, and under the glorious sun.
There are some exceptions. You don't have to wear a mask if you're less than 2 years old, have trouble breathing, or if you are unable to remove your mask without assistance. You can interpret what those exceptions mean for you. Non mask wearers and mask wearers please see previously mentioned Philippians 2:3-4.
All staff and volunteers must wear a face covering. Those leading the service from the "pulpit" area are allowed to take their masks off while leading.
7. Prepare for communion. It will be served in pre-packaged individual servings and brought to you by glove wearing, masked men. Who are those masked men? Why, your elders of course.
8. There will be no porta potties around so take care of things before you leave home.
9. We will attempt to live stream, or record and stream later. Hopefully, all will go well with the technology and those of you who can't, or choose not to attend can watch later.
10. If you are sick, or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID, fever, dry cough, chills, achy body, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or fatigue, please stay home.
11. If being in public, gathering with a large group of people, observing the current guidelines, being outdoors for an hour, or anything else makes you uncomfortable about attending service this week, it's okay. We understand that there are those who will be extra cautious out of concerns for their own health or the health of others. We want you to be healthy and well too. So do what you believe is best for you and your family.
12. We will not collect an offering because we are encouraged to have as "touchless" of a service as possible, so please continue to give as you have been through mail, online at www.1freechurch.org, or the Give Plus app.
13. JoAnna will have a lesson for the children, and for all you adults who have told us you have loved the children's portion of the service.
14. Your pastors, staff, and elders need your prayers and support. We realize we are ministering in unprecedented times which we were totally unprepared for. During this time, and moving forward with regathering we have to make decisions. We realize that no matter what decisions we make, those decisions will not sit well with some and there will be those who disagree. We are caught between that proverbial rock and hard place. Nevertheless, we continue to move forward and make the best Spirit led decisions that we believe are the best decisions for our church, not all churches or the church across town, but our church which is the only one we are responsible for. So, please continue to support us with your prayers.
In all seriousness, this isn't easy for anyone and it has been a difficult, trying, stressful time for all. Let's make our regathering a time of joy by doing what we can to be considerate of others and extending lots of forbearance and grace to everyone.
In Jesus Name,
Pastor Rob
Please read this ENTIRE email. All the details are important for our regathering.
This Sunday we will regather as a church family! Everything from this point forward will be very fluid as we adapt and adjust to changing guidelines from the state as well as learning from our own real time experience. Also, the guidelines given to us by the state for a phase one reopening are not the way it will be forever, but it might be a couple of months or more. So let's be thankful for, and rejoice in, the good stuff that's starting to happen and not focus on, and fret about, the restrictions that are still in place.
First of all, I want to remind everyone of the need for great love and grace toward one another as we navigate the regathering of the church both as a church body and as individual members. There is no shortage of information to be gleaned from websites, news media, friends who know people who know things, doctors, doctors who disagree with the aforementioned doctors, YouTube videos, and a plethora of other sources.
Since the information is abundant and often contradictory, it will be impossible that each of us as individuals will all agree with one another on the source, severity, contagiousness, treatment, preventative measures, and acceptable social behavior surrounding COVID. Not only will we disagree but many will disagree with great conviction, intense passion, extreme frustration that nobody else but "me" gets it, and the total conviction that "I" am right. We can't all be right when our opinions or beliefs are so contradictory. So...we have to choose a path and move forward as a church family willing to give each other lots of love and grace.
This would be a great time to pause and reflect on a couple of verses. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, NASB95)
The state guidelines for the regathering of churches includes a maximum worship attendance of 50 people regardless of the size of the sanctuary. Yup. You read that right. No more than 50 people, including the staff leading the service, may be in the sanctuary at one time. This means we will have to go to at least 3 services, maybe more.
However, we have a resource that can be used for gathering everyone in one place at one time and we are going to give it a try this weekend. It's called 15 acres of open land on the corner of Fillmore and Mesa! That wonderful God-given gift that will soon hold our new facility. The state guidelines allow for meeting in the open air without a numerical restriction. Yay!
This is exciting! But, of course there are some details that will surely dull the glimmer for some. But hopefully just a little, and certainly even with the glimmer dulling details it will be way more enjoyable than worshiping at home from your couch.
Here's what we are doing this weekend, I repeat...this weekend. The following weekend may or may not be the same.
1. We will gather for worship on the new church property. Wear comfortable, casual, cool clothing like you would when we have service at Bear Creek Park. Of course, this is weather dependent. Right now the forecast looks favorable but if you wake up on Sunday morning to torrential rains, 80mph winds, or any other forbidding weather, there will be no on site service and we will let you know on Sunday morning via our website and Face Book what plan "B" is.
2. The worship service will begin at 8:00am and last no longer than 1 hour. In order to allow time for parking and getting to your "seat" please arrive at least 1/2 hour early. the gates will open at 7am. I know. That's pretty early to get up and get going, but any later and we will be sweltering like fresh caught trout frying in a cast iron pan. Delicious!
3. Come in from the east entrance off Grand Vista Circle. Grand Vista is the road right next to the Healthcare Resort. As you turn onto Grand Vista, the Healthcare Resort will be on your right. Just past the Healthcare Resort will be an open gate to the right. That is the entrance to our property. Parking attendants will direct you when you arrive. If you have trouble walking, you will be parked in a place where you won't have to walk far. Just let a parking attendant know your situation.
4. Bring lawn chairs for your family to sit on. A blanket on the ground works too, but no napping. If you don't have a lawn chair, or folding chair, maybe you could ask a friend to bring extra for you, Some water would probably be a good idea too.
5. Find a spot and plop yourself down. Just make sure you are at least 6' from other family groups. The governor says so. And avoid shaking hands unless you have 6' long arms and hands made of Lysol.
6. Wear a mask. The governor would like you to. Someone sitting near you may also wish you were wearing a mask and someone else might not care. I know, we're outside, 6 feet apart, and under the glorious sun.
There are some exceptions. You don't have to wear a mask if you're less than 2 years old, have trouble breathing, or if you are unable to remove your mask without assistance. You can interpret what those exceptions mean for you. Non mask wearers and mask wearers please see previously mentioned Philippians 2:3-4.
All staff and volunteers must wear a face covering. Those leading the service from the "pulpit" area are allowed to take their masks off while leading.
7. Prepare for communion. It will be served in pre-packaged individual servings and brought to you by glove wearing, masked men. Who are those masked men? Why, your elders of course.
8. There will be no porta potties around so take care of things before you leave home.
9. We will attempt to live stream, or record and stream later. Hopefully, all will go well with the technology and those of you who can't, or choose not to attend can watch later.
10. If you are sick, or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID, fever, dry cough, chills, achy body, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or fatigue, please stay home.
11. If being in public, gathering with a large group of people, observing the current guidelines, being outdoors for an hour, or anything else makes you uncomfortable about attending service this week, it's okay. We understand that there are those who will be extra cautious out of concerns for their own health or the health of others. We want you to be healthy and well too. So do what you believe is best for you and your family.
12. We will not collect an offering because we are encouraged to have as "touchless" of a service as possible, so please continue to give as you have been through mail, online at www.1freechurch.org, or the Give Plus app.
13. JoAnna will have a lesson for the children, and for all you adults who have told us you have loved the children's portion of the service.
14. Your pastors, staff, and elders need your prayers and support. We realize we are ministering in unprecedented times which we were totally unprepared for. During this time, and moving forward with regathering we have to make decisions. We realize that no matter what decisions we make, those decisions will not sit well with some and there will be those who disagree. We are caught between that proverbial rock and hard place. Nevertheless, we continue to move forward and make the best Spirit led decisions that we believe are the best decisions for our church, not all churches or the church across town, but our church which is the only one we are responsible for. So, please continue to support us with your prayers.
In all seriousness, this isn't easy for anyone and it has been a difficult, trying, stressful time for all. Let's make our regathering a time of joy by doing what we can to be considerate of others and extending lots of forbearance and grace to everyone.
In Jesus Name,
Pastor Rob
