Resuming In-Person Worship at Grace
After reviewing Governor Abbott's April 27, 2020 recommendations, the board of elders has set Sunday, May 17, 2020 as the target date to begin offering increased in-person worship services at Grace. Here is what you need to know in order to plan to attend:
Those who are unable to attend due to ongoing health concerns will still be able to stream the service of the Word and the sermon. Pastor will continue to offer appointments for individual Communion to members who desire it. He will also begin to make himself available to visit those who are staying home in order to bring them the Sacrament in a way that will expose them to the least risk possible, all the while delivering the Body and Blood of Christ.
- Two worship services will be offered each Sunday, one at 8:30 AM and one at 10:00 AM. Attendance will be limited to 50 people at each. You will need to sign up for your desired service ahead of time, either by using this online sign-up or by calling the church office.
- We will practice social distancing throughout the sanctuary. We will skip every other pew in the first service, and then switch the pews for the second. Households will sit together, leaving at least 6 feet of space between other households.
- Families will be ushered forward one at a time for the distribution of the Sacrament. Rather than kneeling at the rail, this will take place immediately in front of the chancel, in a method similar to what we use during our service before the bazaar.
- Commonly touched surfaces will be sanitized between services.
- The pastor and assisting elder and will wear masks during the distribution of the Sacrament. Although wearing masks is no longer required, we are encouraging those who come to worship to wear them.
- Previously implemented health-conscious practices will be continued (service will be printed fully in bulletin, no passing of offering plates, no sharing of the peace, no hand shakes during greeting, doors will be held open for you, no congregating in the narthex, etc).
- Additional services may be added to accommodate more worshipers.
Those who are unable to attend due to ongoing health concerns will still be able to stream the service of the Word and the sermon. Pastor will continue to offer appointments for individual Communion to members who desire it. He will also begin to make himself available to visit those who are staying home in order to bring them the Sacrament in a way that will expose them to the least risk possible, all the while delivering the Body and Blood of Christ.
Please watch the video below to hear Pastor Appel explain the plan to return to in-person worship services beginning on Sunday, May 17, 2020.