Special Notice: COVID-19 Update (April 1, 2021)

Health & Safety Guidelines

We believe church is essential. We need each other to grow and thrive in our Christian life and walk. COVID-19 has made assembling together more challenging, but we thank you for your patience and flexibility during these unusual times. Online live-streaming is available for all those whose health and safety concerns necessitate caution and prudence. The health and safety of our church family is of paramount importance to us. For those who are interested and able to attend, we have onsite services on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. During these activities we intend to comply with state and local COVID-19 safety recommendations and health guidelines. Our desire is to provide as safe an environment for corporate worship that we possibly can. To make this happen we need your help.  Here are current protocols for onsite activities:

What we are doing

The facilities will continue to be cleaned and sanitized regularly, especially everything that can be touched.  Sanitation practices will take place between every worship service and activity.  As you enter the building, hand sanitizer will be available and we encourage people to use it.

Greeters will remain three feet from guests, and will not be holding doors open or shaking hands. We ask for non-contact greetings. Doors will be propped open as people enter and exit when weather permits. Pastor’s sermon notes will be available on back table and side tables.  Bulletins will not be provided.  Some announcements will be scrolling on screens in sanctuary and others mentioned at the end of service.

Chairs are three feet apart. Seating will be in family groups.  Please enter and exit the building quickly to avoid congregating – especially in the foyer.

What we need you to do

Please do not attend if you have a temperature or any flu like symptoms. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, or are exhibiting any symptoms, we ask that you not physically attend a worship service until symptom-free for 10 days.

Please wear a mask upon entering, exiting, or moving about the building. We do recommend you bring and wear your own mask, as we cannot guarantee masks will always be available onsite. You do not have to wear masks while seated during our worship service.  We also encourage you to continue washing hands regularly, as well as covering coughs and sneezes.

In the spirit of Philippians 2:4, we ask everyone to be considerate, respectful, and kind of the concerns of others: social distancing, masks, etc. You may be comfortable getting inside the three foot space, and not wearing a mask, but others are concerned. Instead of saying something to you to express their discomfort, more than likely they will simply not return. It is easy to think that everything is about “me,” but it really isn’t.  This is about “others.”  These safety and health protocols are about “others”: your family, church members, guests, those that are healthy and those that are not.  Thank you for helping us glorify God, keep one another safe, and honor our local officials and ordinances.

 When We Can Meet Together

Sunday, 9:53 a.m. – Regular corporate worship.  (9:30 a.m. on April 4th, 25th, June 6th, July 4th).

Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. – Midweek adult Bible study.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – Live Streaming through May 30th (April 4th, 26th, June 6th, July 4th @ 9:30 a.m.)

Thanks for your prayers and cooperation

We need each other, and corporate worship is both biblical and necessary. This current plan provides for the safety of those who are ready to return to worship. There are many who have health issues and we realize that it isn’t wise for you to return to worship as of yet.  That’s okay. We love you, and you are still a vital part of who we are. We desire to minister and assist you in any way we can.  Please touch base with us and keep us updated on how things are going in your family.  There may be some who are uncomfortable complying with our guidelines. That is okay as well. We understand there are many differences of opinions. We are trying to formulate the best possible plan for the whole of our congregation. For those unable to attend or comply we will continue to offer our online services. We want you to know that we love you all, and are thankful that you are a part of our church family.

Your prayers are appreciated as we continue to navigate through these unusual times. There are many things beyond our control, so we will continue to adapt and change as we move forward. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”

The new normal at church will be different, but judging by how well all of you have risen to the occasion during the challenges of the last many weeks, I have great confidence that Grace Chapel will continue to accomplish our mission.

In His Service,

Pastor Bobby Garvin