Providence Re-opening Plans

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast loves endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble."

Psalm 107.1-2

Lord willing this coming Sunday, June 7, Providence will "re-open" in accordance to guidelines issued under the Yellow Phase of the Governor's Covid-19 Response Plan.

The session and the Virus Response Team (VRT) has thought, planned, prayed, and sought counsel as to the best way to "re-open" Providence so that God is honored and our neighbors are loved.

Here are details of the current reopening plan:

First, if you are sick, or anyone on your family is sick, please know that we love you, we are praying for you … but PLEASE stay home. Rest, recuperate, strengthen, recover. The service will continue to be live-streamed each Sunday morning at 10:30am.

Second, We will have 2 morning services - 8:30am and 10:30am. Please note:

a) At the 8:30am service masks are strongly encouraged, but not required;

b) At the 10:30am masks are required. If you do not have one, or forget one, we will have extras for you when you arrive.

 Third, at both the 8:30am & 10:30am services, we will practice social distancing. This means:

a)  Ushers will seat you, utilizing every other row;

b)  Greeters will open and close doors for you;.

c)  Bulletins will be given to you by our ushering team

d)  After the service we will encourage you to leave the building so that we can clean it for the next service, or prep it for the coming week.

e)  We will seat people upstairs in the sanctuary. If that area gets full, there will be additional seating in the fellowship where we will stream the upstairs service.

f)   We will not be offering any coffee or snacks. Sorry!

g)  After the service you are free to talk outside, but not in the building.

h) Please refrain from hugging, shaking hands, etc. Sorry!!!

The nursery will be open & available, but there will be no staffed nursery. Many of the toys will also be removed for this season. Please know - you are very free to use the nursery during the service! If you do, kindly follow the clean-up guidelines sheet (which will be in the room).

Sunday School (led/taught by Shannon and me) will be available on-line as a link on the church home page. So if you go the early service, feel free to watch it later in the day. If you come to the early service, watch it before you come to worship in the morning!

NOTE: For those arriving for the 10:30am service, please wait in your cars until the downstairs door is opened for you. That will allow time for the 830 service attendees to exit the building, and for us to clean and prep the church for the next service. Thank you!

Fourth, mid-week Bible studies can resume meeting at the church the week of June 7. There will be an area set-up in the fellowship hall that is designated for those studies - please use it (rather than re-arranging chairs that are pre-set for overflow seating for worship). If you would, kindly practice social distancing! A clean-up checklist will be on the table - please clean the area in preparation for the next group!

I am so excited to once again worship together, and eagerly look forward to the day when we can all gather at one mask-less service to celebrate Jesus through Word and song. Please continue to pray that the day would come quickly. Until then, ask the Lord to give us grace and wisdom to love each other well in the weeks ahead.

The session and VRT will be regularly evaluating and re-evaluating this plan as it unfolds. Any questions, feedback, or concerns - contact me or your Shepherding Elder.

As we sang yesterday to begin our Lord's Day worship ...

All glory be to Christ the King

All glory be to Christ!

His rule and reign we'll ever sing!

All glory be to Christ!

Amen!

-Pastor Mark