Reopening Plans
A message from Pastor Ben & the church leadership
October 1, 2020
After extensive prayer and consideration, we have decided to reschedule the outdoor worship experience that we were going to have this Saturday, and we are inviting you to join us for service indoors this Sunday at 11 a.m. Out of an abundance of caution, we are limiting the number of people who can come to 50. We will require you to fill out a sign-up sheet that you can use to secure your place. Please enter the name of each person from your household so that we do not exceed that number. After the list is full, I will send an email notifying everyone. I know that this is not the ideal return to church after such a long hiatus, but I believe that prudence is required as we navigate this situation.
Here’s what you need to know for Sunday:
- We will not be serving breakfast.
- There will be no kid’s church, nor will nursery be provided.
- The family room is unavailable for use.
- Masks will be required. If you do not have one, one will be provided for you before entering the building.
- Everyone will come in the left hand basement door and be seated in the basement. Social distancing will be observed and someone will be on hand to facilitate getting you seated.
- The windows will be open for ventilation, so please dress appropriately!
- The worship team will play live upstairs and you will listen via speakers in the basement. Lyrics to the songs will be viewed on the screens on the basement walls.
- When in the basement for worship, feel free to sing at a speaking volume. We believe that this provides an opportunity for worshipful expression without creating unnecessary risk.
- When worship is over, you will make your way up to the sanctuary via the steps that lead to the lobby.
- Once in the sanctuary, your seating will again be facilitated by someone who will make sure that we continue to stay physically distanced. Communion elements will also be available.
- The bathroom in the lobby will be available for use. Please wash your hands and wipe down any common surfaces that you touch with wipes provided in the bathroom.
- After the message, I ask that everyone exit the building through the front doors of the church.
- Someone will be available as you exit to receive any tithes and offerings that you wish to bring.
We will be streaming on Facebook as usual, in addition to broadcasting on the radio station to the parking lot, so please do not feel obligated to come inside on Sundays. If you are unable to reserve a place, we will make sure that you can come for another Sunday.
We are excited and blessed to take this next step in returning to full capacity at the church and we hope to see you this Sunday!
– Pastor Ben and the worship team
Reopening Plans
July 8, 2020
Starting Sunday, August 2, we will offer a drive-in service at the church. The worship team and I will set up under the awning in front of the basement. From there, we will broadcast the service on FM radio station 87.9, and we will stream the service on the Maranatha Facebook page as usual. Here are the protocols for the drive-in service:
- When you arrive, you may park wherever you would like EXCEPT the handicap spots, and the spots up against the building to the left of the basement doors.
- Please stay in your car for the duration of the service.
- The restrooms in the basement will be open for one person at a time in case of emergencies. Please plan accordingly.
- If you have to use the facilities, please wear a mask from the time you enter the building to the time that you leave. Sanitizing the facility after use is vital to keeping everyone healthy and safe. Instructions will be provided on site.
- At the conclusion of the service, a collection bucket will be available to receive your tithes and offerings as you depart.
We will take the weather into account week by week and plan accordingly. I am very excited to take this next step in coming back to church! I know that sitting in your car and listening to the radio may not represent church to you. However, the elders and I believe that this represents our best foot forward in opening the doors again. I am hopeful that you will come and participate. Please remember, we will be streaming the service as usual on the Facebook page. May the Lord bless us all as we move forward in faith with wisdom.
A Difficult Decision
A message from Pastor Ben & the church leadership
May 13, 2020
God is good, all the time, and especially during challenges! As we continue to observe the mandated quarantine and social distancing, we thank God for those who are recovering from infection, and for those who remain symptom free. We thank God for those on the front lines who are caring for and treating the sick. We thank God for the workers who are keeping the economy moving forward. We pray for the safety of all of those who are exposed to infection daily, and we believe that God is in control.
We are streaming the worship on Facebook every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can still view the service by opening your browser and going to www.facebook.com/maranathaiphc. Scroll down, and you will see the video. We have two virtual Bible studies during the week at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you are interested in joining the study, please email Pastor Ben at pastor.ben.spearman@gmail.com so that he can connect with you.
We are not fearful, we are prayerful. We do not panic, we trust the Lord. God has been, is now, and always will be in control. The Lord bless you and keep you until we see each other again soon.
A Difficult Decision
A message from Pastor Ben & the church leadership
March 14, 2020
We are cancelling services at Maranatha for the next two weeks. We believe that this decision represents the best wisdom based on the information that is currently available. I am hopeful that we will see a significant country wide decrease in the infection rate during this time. If, at the end of two weeks we see the need to cancel through the last Sunday, we will inform you immediately.
I will post a message on the Maranatha Facebook page tomorrow morning and next Sunday at 11 a.m., our usual service time. There will be a link that will allow you to join the Facebook Live watch party. I am hopeful that you will take the opportunity to maintain a virtual connection during this difficult time. We will conclude our current bible study on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. We will begin a new study on Tuesday, April 7.
We are not fearful, we are prayerful. We do not panic, we trust the Lord. God has been, is now, and always will be in control. The Lord bless you and keep you until we see each other again soon.
Helpful links:
Flattening The Curve (why everybody is cancelling everything)
Coronavirus FAQ (What You Need To Know)
Available Resources for Food Insecure Individuals & Families
Available Resources for Food Insecure Individuals & Families