RESUMING PUBLIC WORSHIP … After 13 long weeks since we last met together on March 15th, County Executive Alsobrooks has allowed churches to resume indoor worship services at 25% of building capacity, beginning June 15th. Based upon “pew space” in the nave, we have a capacity of 108, which places our limit at 27 persons. (Because of actual building space, which would include the balcony, overflow, and other areas in the church, our building’s capacity number could actually be greater.) Even at 27 persons, this number does allow us the opportunity, based on our average attendance, to be able to invite all those of our members who feel comfortable to return to in person worship to do so.
Please read through the following announcements so that you will know what we are doing for us to be able to worship safely together again.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE … You will be met at the door by a table holding copies of the Sunday Service and Bulletin, as well as hand sanitizer. Please then take your seat for worship. Pews in the Nave have been marked off for use, and we ask you to please distance yourselves accordingly; persons from the same household may sit together. Seating is also available in the balcony and the overflow as needed. We also ask you to please resist the great temptation to socialize before the service. We know we all want to do this because we’ve been away from each other so long, but for the time being, it is best for us to limit our interactions with one another while indoors. Feel free to have “properly distanced fellowship” outside after service.
MASKS … As in many other indoor venues, we are asking that you please wear a mask as much as possible while inside the church building. We realize that there will be times when you may need to take the mask off (such as to receive Communion), but to promote everyone’s well-being, we ask you to wear them. If you do not have a mask from home to wear, we do have a limited supply of disposable masks available. Please ask for one.
BULLETINS … Per reopening suggestions, hymnals have been removed from the pews, so the order of service has been fully printed in the Sunday Bulletin. After the service, please take these home with you for your personal devotions, keeping up with the latest Trinity news, and to recycle. Thank you.
OFFERINGS … We will continue to not pass the offering plates as a part of the worship service at this time. A basket is available on the “literature table” in the rear of the nave to receive your offerings as you enter for worship. You may also continue to mail in your offerings to the church office as well.
SHARING THE PEACE … We will continue to share the Peace of the Lord with one another corporately; the response to the Pastor of “And also with you”, is directed to everyone (“And also with y’all”). That being said, you may feel free to “share the peace” with those around you through a wave or a smile as we continue for a while in our distancing.
HOLY COMMUNION … As we can now gather together in person around the Lord’s Table, we will once again offer the Lord’s Supper as a part of our regular worship. Holy Communion will be offered to those present through use of individual hosts and cups (wine and grape juice will be offered). The distribution will take place in a “continuous fashion”. Each pew will be directed forward by section (pulpit side, lectern side, overflow and balcony). As you come forward, please keep some distance in between persons.
In concern for everyone’s well-being, Pastor and his assistant will have cleaned their hands before the distribution with hand sanitizer and will wear masks. Pastor will distribute Christ’s Body and bless all those not receiving at the center of the rail (where the Font is usually located). Turning to the left, the assistant will have the tray of cups with Christ’s Blood available for you. At the end of the rail will be a place for you to place your empty cup. Please then return to your seat by use of the side aisle.
RESTROOMS … For the time being, and to help us in managing the amount of cleaning which needs to be maintained, we kindly ask that those in the building do not use the restrooms on the fellowship hall level of the building. The restroom in the church office lobby is available for your use. However, if there should be an “emergency need” to use the restroom downstairs, please let Pastor know so that it can be cleaned. Thank you for your understanding.
TO SUM UP … All of these items (and a few others) are summarized in our “Trinity Stay-Safe Rules” which you will find here online and posted at church. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these things, please speak with Pastor or one of our MPG Members (Helen & Waymond Joynes, Julie Gilroy, Michael McCoyer, Vincent Peele, Paul Ritter) to let your thoughts and questions be heard. We look to having your input.
FOR THOSE NOT YET QUITE READY TO RETURN …
As exciting as it is for us to be able to reopen the doors of the church building to our Trinity Family for worship together, we also realize that because of the situation that this pandemic has brought, we are not yet at an ending of it all. Like many of our leaders have pointed out, we know that the pandemic is not over, and though things have gotten better, we are not able to say that anything we do as individuals or groups is 100% safe. All of us remain vigilant about our safety for both our health and the health of others.
If you do not as yet feel ready to return to worship in person, because of age or medical condition or any other reason, we understand completely. Be at peace with your decision and know that we hold you in our hearts and in our prayers, waiting to greet you when you do return.
Also, we kindly ask any who are sick or showing the symptoms of the virus to please stay home from coming to church, and if needed to get under your doctor’s care.
ONLINE WORSHIP … As we begin the reopening of our church building with the gradual relaxing of limits on public gatherings for churches, we will continue to offer the option for worshipping online, especially for those of our Trinity family who are unable to be with us, or who are not as yet ready to make their return. Please join us on our church Facebook Page, or through the link available on the church webpage to help those who are not on Facebook to join us. Also on the church webpage, you will find a link to the current worship service bulletin which you can view or print to aid your participation in the service. We hope that this method of “gathering together” will continue to be a blessing for those who have need of it. If there are any problems, comments, questions, or even complaints, please contact Pastor by phone or email and let us know what we can try to do to be better.
PRIVATE COMMUNION … For those who are shut-in or who may be fearful of coming out in these days, please contact Pastor so we can have conversation together and—depending on health, conditions, and schedule—make arrangements to come and bring you Communion.
Also, appointments can be made for individuals or families to meet with Pastor Schiebel at the church to celebrate and receive the Sacrament together. Please call the church office (301-864-4340) or email Pastor (trinity-elc-pastor@verizon.net) and we’ll set up a mutually convenient time to be together for this time with the Lord and one another.
If either of these are not workable for you, we may suggest making a “Spiritual Communion” as a part of your devotions and online worship. A meditation and prayer for this purpose is available on the church website here.