Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd: “The Church in the Spirit, Part 1: The Church is Formed”
Greetings, members and friends of Spring Branch!
This is a fast changing time and news concerning COVID seems to be evolving almost daily. I want you to know that your pastor and elders are watching this situation very closely, monitoring the statistics daily. In response to questions raised by members of our congregation, I wanted to bring you this new update:
Our session met last night in a called meeting, and it was decided that we should follow the advice of the CDC, our president, and our governor. This means that effective immediately, masks will no longer be required in church activities for those who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days. So what does this mean in practical terms?
First, we are still strongly encouraging people to get vaccinated. Although this is a personal choice, we feel that this is the best way for society and our church right now. However, for those who do not, we respect that each individual must make this choice. Secondly, no one is REQUIRED to take their mask off. Should any individual feel more comfortable leaving it on, then that decision is fine and will be respected. Third, these decisions are for church activities only, and do not apply to the Academy, which has its own guidelines and licensing requirements to follow.
We are trying hard to keep the activities separated for the time being, but should anyone enter the main building during their operational hours, he or she will be required to follow their mask protocols.
There are areas where we are still waiting for guidance, so more changes will be coming as soon as appropriate. These areas include such questions as singing, distance in seating, and others. Hopefully we will know about these soon.
It was also affirmed that for those who may not be comfortable returning yet, we will be continuing the Sunday morning broadcast and hope that everyone can take advantage either in person or virtually.
I want to ask our congregation to please keep personal decisions concerning personal safety as a “no judgment zone” as we have been trying very hard to do. Each of us has very different circumstances. Yet we are all connected by the love of Christ.
I am praying for you and hope to see you tomorrow as we celebrate Pentecost and the Sacrament of Baptism.
In Christ’s Service, Kevin Boyd
SBPC will hold in-person Sunday School and Worship tomorrow morning at 9:30 and 10:50, respectively. By attending, you are agreeing to follow the guidelines set forth for a safe return. Those guidelines are available at: www.springbranchpres.org/covid-19-guidelines.
The Explorers Class will meet in the Fellowship Hall and the Saints Under Construction Class will meet in the Conference Room.
Attached below is the Bulletin for tomorrow morning. We will have copies available for worshipers attending in-person. If you are attending virtually, you may print the Bulletin, or follow along on a smartphone.
Every week, the service will be streamed live to the SBPC YouTube Channel. You can access the direct link for the May 23rd Pentecost Worship Service stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vgAdHmym4k.
The Time For Young Disciples will be a part of our Worship Service tomorrow morning. After the service concludes, the video will be available on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
Blessings, Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
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