Sunday, June 7th: “The Great Covidmission”

Posted on June 7, 2020

Good Morning!
Our Message for today is “The Great Covidmission.” Our scripture lessons are from Psalm 8 and Matthew 28:16-20.

“The Great Covidmission”

Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Boyd

Comments are enabled on the Church Website, Facebook, and YouTube so that we can react to this morning’s message and share prayer concerns. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view the video. If you do not have a Facebook or YouTube account, you can post comments on the church website, or you can call or email Kevin with any prayer concerns that are on your heart this morning.
Announcements & News:

• We will begin worshiping in-person in our Sanctuary beginning next Sunday, June 14th at 10:50 AM. Below is the letter from Pastor Kevin that was distributed to the congregation on June 1st. Watch your email this week for more details and guidelines for safely returning to SBPC for Worship. The services will continue to be streamed live to Facebook at www.springbranchpres.org/springbranchpres.
• Pastor’s Bible Study with Kevin continues digitally this week on Zoom! We will ‘gather’ online at 11:00am on Tuesday morning. Watch for more details on how to join this study.
• Thank you to everyone that has contributed to our Pentecost Special Offering. We have collected $1,373 so far. If you would still like to donate, you can mail contributions to the church or you can visit www.springbranchpres.org/pentecost to give online.
• Thank you to everyone that has been contributing to the church in the absence of our usual Presentation of Tithes and Offerings on Sunday mornings. Don’t forget that the church expenses continue just the same. If at all possible, please mail in your contributions, drop off your offering in a sealed envelope to the mailbox in front of the education building, or use the online giving option (www.springbranchpres.org/give).

Greetings, friends and members of Spring Branch Presbyterian Church!

I pray that this finds you well and that you are enjoying the blessings of our Lord.   A special thank you to all who have been part of our “drive-in” services lately.  Your participation has made the events fun and inspiring.  Many people are asking when we will be returning to worshiping in person.  The answer is a little complicated, but here is the word of your elders as of today:

1. We will be resuming worship in the Sanctuary on Sunday, June 14.
2. Social distancing will be in effect.
3. An Usher will seat all worshipers an appropriate distance from one another, with family groups being allowed to sit together.
4. The first several rows will not be used, so that there will be adequate distance from both the Pulpit and Lectern.
5. Entrances, exits, and ways to the rest rooms will be mapped out and explained to all worshipers before entering worship.
6. All worshipers will be asked to wear masks and sanitize their hands prior to entering worship. Hand sanitizer and a limited number of masks will be available, so worshipers are asked to bring their own if possible.
7. There will be no choir for the time being, due to concerns about distancing and the possible increased spread of contamination while singing.
8. In place of congregational singing, music will be led in such a way that congregants may participate while masked if they choose.
9. There will be no Time For Young Disciples as we have known it, until we are cleared to do so.
10. We will not shake hands, hug, or otherwise touch during the worship service.
11. No refreshments will be served and water fountains will not be available.  Worshipers may feel free to bring bottled water.
12. Sunday School classes will continue online, until we learn that it is safe to meet in person.
13. There will be no Nursery yet, though hopefully this will be reinstated in the near future as the need arises.
14. Worshipers are encouraged to give online if possible.  All offerings in the service will be collected in such a way that no touch is involved.
15. The service will also be broadcast over Facebook Live.  We urge anyone who may be at a high risk to please continue worshiping with us in this manner until it is safe to do so.

I find it amazing that these guidelines need to be in place, although I think we do all understand.  In addition, the CDC frequently changes information, so these guidelines may change to reflect them.   In which case, we will notify everyone as quickly as possible.

Please do pray for your pastor, elders, and church staff, as we attempt to navigate these unfamiliar waters.

In Christ’s Service,
Kevin Boyd, Pastor