Welcome Back Weekend
Many of you are waiting with anticipation for us to begin gathering again for worship. I am excited to let you know that we will begin gathering again for worship on Sunday, June 14th!
Why did the church select June 14th as the date to gather again?
We considered several factors when determining this date. First, we prayed and sought the Lord for guidance. Second, we considered Federal and State guidelines for reopening public venues. Third, we evaluated the dates that other churches established to reopen and their reasons for selecting those dates. Finally, we determined the number of volunteers that are necessary for us to reopen for public ministry and to maintain that ministry over time. Many of our leaders and trained volunteers will be unable to join us at this time because they are a part of the vulnerable population.1 Gathering on June 14th will give us the time we need to recruit and train the volunteers necessary to conduct our ministry in accordance with our mission and proper health guidelines.
1 According to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the vulnerable population is composed of elderly individuals and those with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune systems are compromised (such as by chemotherapy or cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy).
Can this date change?
We determined this date based on the data we have and could change it if circumstances lead us to believe that it would be unwise to reopen the church for public ministry. None of us desires for that to happen and we encourage you to pray that the Lord will remove this pandemic from our community.
What’s the plan?
On Sunday, June 14th we will move into “Phase 2” of our reopening plan. You may view our entire reopening plan by clicking this link: Fifth Street Baptist Church Reopening Plan. Let me summarize how things will change when we enter Phase 2 on Sunday, June 14th.
Sunday morning worship service at 11:00am:
We will gather for worship in our sanctuary using proper social distancing and sanitary standards. Our ushers will seat everyone to ensure that social distancing standards are observed. Family groups may sit together but will be separated from others by six feet.
Our worship service will also be offered online and we encourage all vulnerable people, anyone feeling sick, and those who are uncomfortable gathering in person to worship with us using the online platform.
The wearing of masks will be optional and the church will provide them at the door for anyone who would like to wear one but doesn’t have it. Our welcome team will wear them while serving before and after the worship service.
We will not offer nursery or Children’s Church at this time. We will provide worship packs for the children, a children’s sermon, and the Hospitality Room will be open.
We will not celebrate the handshaking/fellowship time, but that shouldn’t stop us from waving and sharing a warm smile with others.
The giving of our tithes and offerings will still be recognized during our worship service, but we won’t give them until the end of service.
Once the worship service is over, the ushers will dismiss everyone by rows to foster proper social distancing while the congregation exits. The deacons will place offering plates near the exits for those who would like to give at that time.
Sunday evening worship service at 6:00pm:
This worship service is suspended until the fall. We encourage you to use this time to reach your friends, family, and neighbors for Jesus through social events appropriate for this season of ministry. These types of evangelistic activities could include dinner with family and friends, neighborhood prayer walks, and ice cream gatherings at the beach.
Wednesday evening prayer service and Bible study at 6:00pm:
We will gather for worship in our sanctuary using proper social distancing and sanitary standards. Our ushers will seat everyone to ensure that social distancing standards are observed. Family groups may sit together but will be separated from others by six feet.
Our service will also be offered online and we encourage all vulnerable people, anyone feeling sick, and those who are uncomfortable gathering in person to worship with us using the online platform.
The wearing of masks will be optional and the church will provide them at the door for anyone who would like to wear one but doesn’t have it. Our welcome team will wear them while serving before and after the service.
Here’s a summary of all other ministry activities during Phase 2:
Small Group Bible Study (including Sunday School): Online only
YAC: Does not meet.
Poinciana Worship Service: Does not meet.
Acteens: Does not meet.
Children in Action: Does not meet.
Challengers: Does not meet.
Worship Team Practice: Yes, with distancing.
TNT: Does not meet.
Convalescent Worship Service: Does not meet.
Committees, Ministry Teams, and Deacons Meetings: Online only.
Ministry Events: Some events (no vulnerable people participating).
VBS: Virtual, begins on June 8th.
The Lord has been faithful to us during this season of ministry! He was not surprised by the pandemic and He is fulfilling a wonderful purpose in the life of our church during it. I praise Him that we will soon gather in person and worship Him once again as a congregation of saints unified by the Holy Spirit in our church. That will be a great day!
Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm 96:1-4
In His Service,
