Health Update

May 15, 2020

Dear Plymouth Church Family,

We pray this letter finds you well. At the Elder meeting last Tuesday, we were talking about how much we missed being at church together. We certainly will not take for granted the amazing blessing of meeting together as God’s people. Many people have asked us when we will be having church again.

We have good news, the purpose of this letter is to inform you the decisions that were made regarding reopening the church for Sunday morning church services. I want to be perfectly clear that these decisions are subject to change if there would be good reason for us to postpone opening up the church, but God willing this will be the path forward.

The first service will take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. We are going to have two services, one at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 10:30 a.m. There will be NO nursery, Children’s Church or Sunday School. We are having two services so that there will be fewer people at each service so we can do social distancing and sit a safe distance apart. We are not requiring you to wear a mask but if you would prefer to wear one that will be your decision.  Here are some other items regarding the service that were decided:

• There will be no handing out of bulletins
• Offering plates will not be passed, there will be a locked box in the vestibule for offerings
• We will block off every other pew to help us sit a safe distance apart
• The congregation will be dismissed row by row after the service
• The pews will be wiped down between services

The Elders want to make this very clear, although every precaution will be taken, if you decide to come to church it is at your own risk. If you are someone that has a health condition that would make contracting COVID-19 a serious health problem for you, we would ask that you consider staying at home. If you have a family where not having a nursery is going to be a problem, then please consider staying home. We will continue to offer online viewing of the worship, prayer time, and sermon. Please know we completely understand if at this time you feel staying at home is your best decision. As we pray and seek God, we will decide in the future when best to start up the nursery, Children’s Church and Sunday School.

The Elders want to say thank you to the Congregation for your faithful giving to both the General Fund and the Elder Benevolence Fund. Because of your faithful giving, we are ready to help. If your job has been affected or you just need some help during this time, please do not hesitate to call one of our Pastors or Elders. If we can pick something up for you at the store, please let us know that as well. Please know that the Elder Board are praying for each one of you and are happy to serve!

Lastly, we want to say thank you again for your generosity for the Bella drive last month. I saw the picture of Pastor Brian delivering all your donations and it literally filled the back of his pickup truck. We were a huge blessing to Bella during a time of need for them because their yearly fundraiser dinner had to be postponed because of the virus. We have become aware that the Salvation Army here in town is low of food and we would like to help them out. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these! God Bless!

In Christ,
Plymouth Board of Elders