First "Yellow Phase" Service This Sunday

Dear Hope Church, 

A wise pastor used three words to describe his church's plan to resume services this month: humility, unity, flexibility. I think those words are fitting for us as well. We've already seen the need for humility, unity, and flexibility as we've navigated this pandemic. And by God's grace, we'll continue to be humble, unified, and flexible in the weeks and months ahead.

Our county officially moved to the "Yellow Phase" of Gov. Wolfe's plan back on June 5th. We've waited two additional weeks to monitor the impact of this change in our region. Thankfully, PA's website indicates that things are continuing to improve.

Therefore, I'm excited to announce that we're also moving to the "Yellow Phase" of our reopening plan.  This means that we're beginning limited public services this Sunday, June 21st, at 10:00 AM (notice the time change).

However, if you're part of a vulnerable population, we still encourage you to stay home. In fact, if you simply don't feel comfortable attending a public service yet, we totally understand and hope you will stay home without guilt. For this reason, we will stream the service on our Facebook page and YouTube channel at 10:00 AM.

General Precautions

  • Limited to 25 people (this will help us maintain proper physical distancing in our space)

  • Masks required for everyone over age six (we'll have extra masks available in case you forget yours)

  • I will only remove my mask on the wooden "stage area" (but will be a safe distance from the first row)

  • Darlington has a head scanner for temperature checks at the door

  • Physical distancing (six feet apart, no hugs, handshakes, etc.) 

  • Pre-service sanitation of surfaces, doors, handles, etc.

  • Hand sanitizer stations available

  • No bulletins or Bibles will be provided

  • Words and liturgy will be projected

  • Children are welcome in the service, though parents are asked to keep them close as we all practice physical distancing

  • No nursery available

  • Simplified congregational singing with facemasks

  • Still no celebration of the Lord’s Supper 

  • Limiting bathrooms to one person at a time

  • No coffee table or food preparation 

  • Click here to see other precautions from the Darlington Arts Center

Before Sunday: 1) Decide if You're Coming

During the "Yellow Phase," we recognize that it may not be wise for everyone to attend public services. So we want you to feel comfortable watching the service from home without guilt.

In fact, we need you to watch the service from home if:

  • You are part of a vulnerable population

  • You are sick at all

  • You have a cough, high fever, or shortness of breath

  • You have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 14 days

We also encourage you to watch the service from home if:

  • You feel unsafe or uncertain about returning to public gatherings 

  • You are uncomfortable with the requirements for gathering that we will implement

Before Sunday: 2) Please RSVP 
 

If you feel comfortable attending, please RSVP and let us know you’re coming so we can plan physically-distanced seating for you. Contact me at pastorwill@explorehopechurch.org or (484) 589-0464.

While at Church: The Process
 

  1. A gloved volunteer with a mask will open the door for you so that you don't have to touch the handle.

  2. Once inside, another gloved volunteer with a mask will use a head scanner to take your temperature and offer you a mask if you don't have one.

  3. Once you enter the worship space, another gloved volunteer with a mask will set up chairs for you and members of your household so that you can sit together while being physically distanced from other families.

  4. After the service you will be asked to exit the facility in a prompt and orderly fashion to guard against bottlenecking at doors.

  5. Fellowship is encouraged outside with proper physical distancing.

God is Faithful!

This is a difficult time for everyone. I know that some people want to open services immediately and others want to wait longer. I understand both sides. That's why I began this email with those three words: humility, unity, and flexibility. We need these three virtues because we all know how quickly things can change in a global pandemic. We want to protect lives and guard against the spread of this virus. At the same time, we believe that corporate worship is a means of grace, crucial for the long-term spiritual health of believers and their families. So please pray that we can strike a balance between these two biblical priorities.

Yet in all of this, we know that God is faithful (1 Cor 1:9). God is good (Ps 34:8). God loves his Church (Eph 5:25). God is our loving Shepherd (Ps 23). Therefore, we know that he is at work in and through us for his glory.

If you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m sure that this plan will be adapted and refined as we go along.

In Christ,
Pastor Will