Praise the Lord Saints of God! We greet you in the matchless Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
As we prepare for our return to the sanctuary, please know that your attendance is strictly voluntary. You might decide to wait until the next phase of the city’s reopening to attend. If this is the case, you can wait for further instructions. All others, please contact the Church Secretary to register for service as numbers are limited. Please note: attendance will rotate in order to ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend.
Currently, services are scheduled to resume on August 2nd and will last for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Doors will open at 10:45 a.m. We have enclosed a COVID-19 self-screening assessment that we encourage you to use to determine if you are free of symptoms and if you should attend service when you are scheduled. Please see a snapshot view of service below.
Sunday Morning Services
- On arrival, temperature check. If higher than 99.5° you will be assessed by the Health Team and sent home or encouraged to go to the ER as appropriate. Prior to leaving, an assigned Compassion Ministry Team member will pray with and for you. These assigned ministers are not part of the Altar Worker Committee.
- If no fever, you will sanitize your hands, see a Health Team member, and then be escorted to your seat by an Usher. Markers will be used to ensure social distancing. They will be in place on the floors and pews. Families who live in the same house will sit together; others will distance 6 feet apart.
- All will wear masks.
- The first floor restroom will only be open for seniors and those who have difficulty with stairs. Others will use the restrooms in the basement. Families living in the same household can be together in the restrooms; for others, only 2 people at a time.
Janitors will be in place to sanitize the restrooms and other frequently touched surfaces.
- Initially, members will attend service on a rotating basis to ensure all have an opportunity to attend. Accommodations can be made for *vulnerable populations. We do want these saints to consider delaying your return to the sanctuary in order to ensure your safety. If not feasible, please contact a member of the Health Team to assist you.
- We will greet each other from a distance as kissing, hand holding, and hugging should wait until we are no longer at risk.
- We are encouraging all who can to continue with the online giving options. New offering baskets will be stationed inside the sanctuary for those who want to give during service. The Deacons and Trustees will assist you.
- We will not pass out bulletins; announcements will stream on the communication monitor. Hymnals, bibles, pens or other items will not be shared to decrease the risk of spreading germs. Watch the monitor for scriptures, songs, etc.
- Anyone who becomes sick with COVID symptoms will be expected to immediately follow isolation protocol. The Health Team will assist you if you notify them. The Ministry Team will be available to pray for you and provide support.
- Anyone experiencing anxiety or grief is encouraged to contact one of the Ministry Team members to pray for you. If you are in need of further spiritual or emotional support, Evangelist Denise Henley can assist you. We encourage you to take advantage of this support.
- In the event that someone becomes overheated, Ushers or a Health Team member may escort you to another area for recovery. The water fountains will be closed.
- At the end of service we will exit the building immediately and to continue wearing our masks until we get to our cars. The Ushers will direct us.
Deacons, Deaconesses and Trustees will be in the parking lot and in various areas inside the building to assist you. Please alert them if you are in need.
*Vulnerable or at-risk populations are those who:
- Live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Age 65yrs and older
- Children (under age 5 or unable to properly distance)
- Pregnant
- Diabetes
- Chronic Kidney disease/undergoing dialysis
- Liver disease
- Underlying Medical Conditions
- Chronic lung disease
- Moderate to severe asthma
- Serious heart condition
- HIV or AIDs
- Cancer treatment
- Prolonged use of Corticosteroids (or other immune weakening medications)
Thank you for your cooperation in making this a safe environment for all!
In Christ,
Bishop W. J. Hoard, Pastor
District Elder J. McDowell, Elder W. Henley – Assistant Pastors