Starting this Sunday we will begin holding our worship services outside at the church building every Sunday at 9:30am. This is a wonderful step towards what we all hope to lead to our re-entry into the building. We will be taking one step at a time and following the guidance of our local health officials.   

Each Sunday at 9:30am we will have worship streamed online and at the building, rain or shine! If the weather is good we’ll be out in front of the building. If rain is likely, we’ll ask you to pull around for “Worship at the Windows.” Either way, we will have worship at the building and online each week.  

Our YouTube online stream this week will be a PRIVATE LINK because the service includes an infant baptism. We are only sending this out via email so please email [email protected] if you did not receive an email and would like to view the online service.

Outdoor Worship Details

Worship Space: Everyone will be welcome to worship in the space most comfortable for them. Come sit outside (bring your own chair) on the lawn, stay in your car to listen on your car radio (105.5 FM), or remain at home for online streaming. 

Masks and Distancing Required: At this point, whether or not you are vaccinated, we are asking EVERYONE to be masked and to keep physical distancing. I am very aware of some of the new and encouraging news about relaxing some of these guidelines, but we want to continue these, for now, to protect all unvaccinated people and also those who are still adjusting to social spaces and crowds. We would really appreciate your cooperation and know that we will make adjustments as we go. 

Offering: At this point we will not be passing the plates for offering during the service. Of course, many of us have started giving online and you are welcome to continue doing so. On Sundays we will have a basket by the pine tree in the front yard for you to give an offering on your way in or out as you feel led. 

Communion: We will be providing bread and juice cups in disposable packaging. If you would like to bring your own communion to help us conserve those, you are welcome to do so!- Singing: Since we will be worshiping outdoors and wearing masks — we can sing together!

Children’s Moment: The service will include a Children’s Moment, but for now we ask children to stay with their “pods” and listen from there. There will not be Sunday School during the service but you are more than welcome to let the kids remain as part of the service or let them play as needed. The kids are always an active and welcome part of our worshipping community. 

Restrooms: We will have a single restroom available to be used on Sunday morning, the nursery restroom located at the northmost entrance closest to the town hall. One person at a time in the building, please, and sanitize the space on your way out.

Live Video Privacy – Everyone should be aware that from now on we will stream the service live, online. If you or your children would prefer not to be photographed, please stay behind the camera tripod. This won’t be difficult to do, but want to make sure everyone is aware of it!

Parking – The best way to pull in to worship will be to go to the southmost entrance by the ballfields. After entering there, the greeters/parkers will direct you up toward the building for FM transmitter parking OR to park there and walk up for outside sitting. If you would prefer to remain in your car for FM transmitter we will have you park around the lawn area and turn your motor off. The speakers will be quite loud for those outside, but you may still prefer to listen via FM transmitter. If you want to keep your motor running, you will back up against the cemetery fence or township square. Don’t fret! The greeters and parkers will help you find the best spot! 

I know that is a lot of information, but we want to give everyone an idea of what is happening and what our expectations are. We are so grateful we have this option (due to the hard work of the Worship and Stream Teams) and we are REALLY looking forward to it.  We are especially excited about this Sunday and baptizing baby Milo Russo! 
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me. Send me an email at [email protected] or call me at 330-569-4926.  

God’s peace and abundant blessings be with you! 
In Christ’s Service,
Chad
Sarah