Hi church family,
To put it plainly: Tomorrow, March 15th, we will not gather together at Second Presbyterian, but we will gather in four Grace Fellowship homes, according to Home Groups. Let me explain why.
In the last few days, we prayed, continued to seek the Lord’s direction, and talked with many health officials. In doing such, we have been confirmed on our protocols and precautions for Grace Fellowship. But, we have also been thinking most carefully, and have made our priority, our friends at Second Presbyterian. They have not requested anything different from us. Also, we aren’t reacting from fear but from the desire to love and serve our neighbors at Second. We want to be as proactive as possible in this.
This Sunday (March 15th), they have plans to gather for a memorial after our meeting, and we think it is wisest for us to not be in the building with them, in the event that we would leave germs behind for their vulnerable population (they are mostly all 75 years old, and older). The shared-space circumstance is what caused us to make this decision.
So, we will not gather together at Second Presbyterian, but we will gather in 4 Grace Fellowship homes at 4:30pm, according to Grace Home Groups’ structure. Again, Grace’s Gathered Worship is not canceled, but, we will gather in homes. I would ask you to think of it in this way. If you are able, please use this as an opportunity to go deeper, not to withdraw.
For now, this change is for this Sunday (March 15th, only).
Frankly, we are very hopeful and enthusiastic about the change of pace, and moving to smaller more intimate gatherings. We believe the Lord is inviting into something special in these times and we are honored to serve Second Presbyterian in this way.
We believe it is imperative that we continue to be engaged with one another, present for each other, worshipping together in some way, seeking to be sustained by the Lord Jesus, and functioning as what we are—a church.
If you are on this email, but not in a Grace Home Group, let me know, and I’ll suggest a place for you to worship. If you know friends who are struggling and need a place, and if they are healthy, please invite them to worship with us.
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1. LOCATIONS:
The Wells Home, (Text 205-873-5719 for address)
- The Wells Group
- The Scroggins Group
- The Firth Group
The Little Home, (Text 205-540-2778 for address)
- The Little Group
- The Colburn Group
The Busby Home, (Text 210-287-8973 for address)
- The Busby Group
- The Terch Group
- The Atwell Group
The Churnock Home, (Text 205-410-9427 for address)
- The Kennedy Group
- The Quisenberry Group
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2. THE ORDER OF WORSHIP:
Worship will look very similar to how we normally gather. Though the time will be shorter and more brief, we will sing a few songs, we will hear and read Scripture, one of our elders will proclaim God’s word (from Psalm 27), we will celebrate communion, we will be sent out with a benediction.
Kids will be present in the gatherings, family-style, but will have the freedom to wander and play in another room if necessary. We will be excited to worship with our children.
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3. THE GOOD SENSE MEASURES WE WILL TAKE:
* We will encourage folks who are feeling ill to stay home. Folks who are in vulnerable groups should feel free to do what is best but to let our leadership know if there is a need and we can make house calls if necessary. If you are uncomfortable in attending, please make your own wise decision.
* Each home will wipe down surfaces in the home before guests arrive.
* Every worshipper will wash hands upon arrival to the home
* Please refrain from handshakes in the gatherings.
* We will not serve snacks (except individual packets for children) or drinks, but feel free to bring your own drink.
* Celebrating Communion: 1) Bread will be served in individual pieces, precut. 2) Wine/juice will be in small cups. Communicants will drink and throw their cup away in a trash can right away. Servers who would normally hold the cup will stand ready to assist to make sure cups are re-filled, or that we properly point out wine vs. juice.
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4. A FEW FINAL WORDS:
* We will reevaulate this on an ongoing basis, multiple times a week. Our leadership believes this belongs in our call to shepherd wisely. In these things, there is no need to fear. But there is a need to love one another carefully, to encourage one another in these stresses, to think about our neighbors, and to take one step at a time. Again, one wonderful think about being a Christian: We don’t have to be afraid. Here are some new words that have encouraged my heart: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:11
* Here is a pastoral question that I have learned to ask, “Here are our circumstances. What is the invitation?” I believe that the Lord is calling us into new ways of maturity, new ways of “other-centeredness,” new depths of communion with him in these times. Let’s slow down to ask ourselves this question.
* In many ways, this returns us to our roots. We began as a church, worshpping in living rooms. I’m eager to return to these things temporarily.
Please feel free to contact me with questions. Our leadrship team stands ready to pray with you, listen to you, and help you in any way that we can.
Love you all,
Joel