UPDATE: NOVEMBER 17
We will resume with our established schedule and safety guidelines below until further notice.
VIDEO SERVICE: We pray you will come back as you feel comfortable. For those not yet ready to worship in person, the video service will continue to be posted Sunday mornings at 8 A.M. on Facebook and YouTube.
SCHEDULE: We will continue to offer three worship services:
SEATING CAPACITY: We are maintaining a "social distancing seating capacity" of around 55, which is well under the currently allowed capacity of our sanctuary size. If attendance for any service grows beyond that, the entryway will serve as a secondary seating area. The wide entryway can safely accommodate another 10+ people and is equipped with audio and video of the worship service.
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
In conclusion, it seems good to restate what concluded our initial reopening guidelines:
We recognize that this is all different. As we have said, we understand that there are going to be different opinions. But let’s not be deterred. Please. Christ and his saving gospel are why we are church and why we gather as a church. I pray that means more to us than current ordinances or procedures.
SCHEDULE: We will continue to offer three worship services:
- Saturday at 5:00 P.M. – Sunday at 9:00 A.M. – Sunday at 11:00 A.M.
SEATING CAPACITY: We are maintaining a "social distancing seating capacity" of around 55, which is well under the currently allowed capacity of our sanctuary size. If attendance for any service grows beyond that, the entryway will serve as a secondary seating area. The wide entryway can safely accommodate another 10+ people and is equipped with audio and video of the worship service.
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
- Social Distancing: This means no handshakes or hugs for the time being. But that doesn’t limit our love and friendliness. Continue to reach out, welcome, and converse.
- Facemasks: In love and thoughtfulness for everyone, especially our elderly, please wear a facemask coming in, going to the Lord’s Supper, and leaving the building. We are trying to be careful and yet keep it simple. Once you are seated, you may lower or remove your mask for the duration of the worship service if you would like.
- Hand Sanitizer: There are hand sanitizing stations at each entry. Please use them for your safety and for others.
- Maintaining a Clean Environment: Everything will be wiped down in the church before and after each service.
- Hands Free: The worship service will be on the screen. You won’t need to handle bulletins or hymnals, and the offering plates will be at the sanctuary entrance. The Lord’s Supper will be self-serve with instructions given in the worship service.
- Health: If you feel ill in the slightest, please be cautious and refrain from coming to church that weekend. The video worship service will continue to be available every Sunday morning at 8 A.M.
In conclusion, it seems good to restate what concluded our initial reopening guidelines:
We recognize that this is all different. As we have said, we understand that there are going to be different opinions. But let’s not be deterred. Please. Christ and his saving gospel are why we are church and why we gather as a church. I pray that means more to us than current ordinances or procedures.
UPDATE FROM MAY 5:
PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY
Note the underlined parts. They are there for emphasis.
Note the underlined parts. They are there for emphasis.
1. Our goal is to be safe and consistent with our state and city governance. We will do everything within the law that they have set forth during this pandemic.
2. We believe that it is important that we look and act like the current essential businesses within our community. Therefore, our guidelines for reopening will reflect that.
3. Changes will be made to these guidelines as changes are made by the governance of our state and community. We will update you as we are updated.
4. We understand that opinions will vary among us on how to handle moving forward and reopen church. We also know that there is no satisfying all of those opinions. Therefore, because we are a church, we humbly appeal in the name of Jesus Christ that we treat these guidelines with Christian love and understanding, even if our opinions differ.
5. Because we recognize the different opinions that are among us, we respect anyone who is not ready to come back to church yet (emphasis on “yet”) because you are not comfortable with the guidelines one way or the other. As a result, we will continue to record our video worship that we have been doing for the last six Sundays, but they won’t be released until Sunday evening.
6. Whichever way you choose to worship during this time, we want to thank you for your continued faithfulness, growth, and support. We are one church with one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
2. We believe that it is important that we look and act like the current essential businesses within our community. Therefore, our guidelines for reopening will reflect that.
3. Changes will be made to these guidelines as changes are made by the governance of our state and community. We will update you as we are updated.
4. We understand that opinions will vary among us on how to handle moving forward and reopen church. We also know that there is no satisfying all of those opinions. Therefore, because we are a church, we humbly appeal in the name of Jesus Christ that we treat these guidelines with Christian love and understanding, even if our opinions differ.
5. Because we recognize the different opinions that are among us, we respect anyone who is not ready to come back to church yet (emphasis on “yet”) because you are not comfortable with the guidelines one way or the other. As a result, we will continue to record our video worship that we have been doing for the last six Sundays, but they won’t be released until Sunday evening.
6. Whichever way you choose to worship during this time, we want to thank you for your continued faithfulness, growth, and support. We are one church with one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Guidelines for Church Reopening
1. Service and Seating Capacity: We are allowed 25% capacity of our sanctuary size. That means we are allowed 45 people per worship service. As a result, we will offer three services – Saturday at 5:00 P.M. – Sunday at 9:00 A.M. – Sunday at 11:00 A.M. to keep the services at or under 45. The only way this can work smoothly without turning people away because we have more than 45 people is if people sign up for one of the three services. While this signing up for a service isn’t ideal, it needs to be done this way so that we live within the current Phase One ordinance.
2. Social Distancing: As much as we enjoy our handshakes and hugs, we will ask that everyone practice the social distancing that we have learned during this pandemic. So no handshakes or hugs for a time. However, we pray and ask that this doesn’t dampen our love and friendliness for each other. Reach out, welcome, and converse. Please just practice social distancing doing it.
3. Hand Sanitizing: There will be hand sanitizing stations at each entry of our church facility. Please use them for your safety and others.
4. Keeping Things Clean: We will have a crew wipe everything down in the church before, after, and in between services.
5. Worship Service Procedures:
6. No Bible Study or Sunday School: At least for the month of May, and perhaps longer, we will not have Bible study or Sunday school at church. We will continue to offer Bible study and Sunday school online. And yes, that means no donuts either. Lol!
7. Masks or Coverings: For the temporary time being, we will require that everyone wear a mask or face covering. Again, we understand that there are different thoughts on this, and we respect that. But for now, we need to do this for all our people, elderly especially. It’s also important that we look and act like all the other essential stores and businesses. To do otherwise does not send a very good message to our community. You can use whatever covering you like: mask, scarf, or bandana. If you don’t have one, we will have extras in case. Again, while not ideal, we hope and pray this doesn’t deter anyone from attending one of our three services, and we humbly ask that everyone abide by this.
8. Health: Because we care about all our people, if you feel ill in the slightest, please refrain from coming to church that weekend. That sounds strange. But we trust you understand what and why we are saying this.
2. Social Distancing: As much as we enjoy our handshakes and hugs, we will ask that everyone practice the social distancing that we have learned during this pandemic. So no handshakes or hugs for a time. However, we pray and ask that this doesn’t dampen our love and friendliness for each other. Reach out, welcome, and converse. Please just practice social distancing doing it.
3. Hand Sanitizing: There will be hand sanitizing stations at each entry of our church facility. Please use them for your safety and others.
4. Keeping Things Clean: We will have a crew wipe everything down in the church before, after, and in between services.
5. Worship Service Procedures:
- Worship folders and hymnals will not be used. Everything will be on the screen.
- Offering plates will not be handed out. They will be placed at the entry of the sanctuary.
- Lord’s Supper will be placed on tables up front for self-serve. Instructions for this will be given during the worship service.
6. No Bible Study or Sunday School: At least for the month of May, and perhaps longer, we will not have Bible study or Sunday school at church. We will continue to offer Bible study and Sunday school online. And yes, that means no donuts either. Lol!
7. Masks or Coverings: For the temporary time being, we will require that everyone wear a mask or face covering. Again, we understand that there are different thoughts on this, and we respect that. But for now, we need to do this for all our people, elderly especially. It’s also important that we look and act like all the other essential stores and businesses. To do otherwise does not send a very good message to our community. You can use whatever covering you like: mask, scarf, or bandana. If you don’t have one, we will have extras in case. Again, while not ideal, we hope and pray this doesn’t deter anyone from attending one of our three services, and we humbly ask that everyone abide by this.
8. Health: Because we care about all our people, if you feel ill in the slightest, please refrain from coming to church that weekend. That sounds strange. But we trust you understand what and why we are saying this.
We recognize that this is all different. As we have said, we understand that there are going to be different opinions. But let’s not be deterred. Please. Christ and his saving gospel are why we are church and why we gather as a church. I pray that means more to us than current ordinances or procedures.
UPDATE FROM MARCH 31:
Please contact Pastor Dan or Daniel with any needs you may have or further suggestions of how we can serve you.
Take to heart this reminder which will be posted on our marquee: COVID-19 CAN'T KILL EASTER. CHRIST IS RISEN!
Forward in Christ! Together in Christ! Forever in Christ!
- We will be serving you online until further notice.
- Sermons and links to online studies will be regularly posted on the home page of this website.
- Devotions and other faith-building resources will be regularly posted on our Facebook page.
Please contact Pastor Dan or Daniel with any needs you may have or further suggestions of how we can serve you.
Take to heart this reminder which will be posted on our marquee: COVID-19 CAN'T KILL EASTER. CHRIST IS RISEN!
Forward in Christ! Together in Christ! Forever in Christ!
UPDATE FROM MARCH 20:
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Church Family,
We are trained to handle this coronavirus pandemic. All the Bible studies, all the services, all the sermons where God’s almighty Word has been taught and proclaimed has prepped us for this. Please, handle it with faith in Him who is greater than anything we are facing. Hold on to his promises that are greater. Hold on to your crucified and risen Savior who is greater. Hold on to your mansion in heaven that is greater. Do not let this pandemic own you or define you. You are a redeemed child of God. Your citizenship is in heaven. These facts of our Christian faith need to reign within us and among us. Christ is risen!!! (Response: He is risen indeed!) I emphasize: Christ is risen! (Response: He is risen indeed!)
Be safe. Be smart. Know this is temporary. Don’t be afraid. If you have any needs, spiritual or physical, contact us. Do not hesitate. We are there for you. We will shop, run errands, and do what we can to help you.
Please live and trust these powerful words:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword… 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:31-39)
Did I mention, “Christ is risen”?
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Dan
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Church Family,
We are trained to handle this coronavirus pandemic. All the Bible studies, all the services, all the sermons where God’s almighty Word has been taught and proclaimed has prepped us for this. Please, handle it with faith in Him who is greater than anything we are facing. Hold on to his promises that are greater. Hold on to your crucified and risen Savior who is greater. Hold on to your mansion in heaven that is greater. Do not let this pandemic own you or define you. You are a redeemed child of God. Your citizenship is in heaven. These facts of our Christian faith need to reign within us and among us. Christ is risen!!! (Response: He is risen indeed!) I emphasize: Christ is risen! (Response: He is risen indeed!)
Be safe. Be smart. Know this is temporary. Don’t be afraid. If you have any needs, spiritual or physical, contact us. Do not hesitate. We are there for you. We will shop, run errands, and do what we can to help you.
Please live and trust these powerful words:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword… 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:31-39)
Did I mention, “Christ is risen”?
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Dan