<<<UPDATE – June 18, 2020>>>
DRIVE-IN CHURCH AT Church of the Good Shepherd moves to Saturday Night: We will have church in the parking lot at Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturdays at 6PM during the next period of time. It’s pretty easy – we ask that people enter from Tuck Street – across from Starbucks/Panera Bread. Greeters will give you a bulletin if you haven’t downloaded one from the e-mails or web-sites. “Ushers” will help you get parked (cars in the center section and taller vehicles in the back row.) Please turn your car off but leave the radio on and tuned to 88.5FM to hear the broadcast of the service. Some people’s cars will need to be turned on and back off to get the radio to play again if it “times out.” We ask that people stay in their cars, wear masks when speaking with each other, smile and wave at others. 😊 After the service, please exit through the exit onto Isabel Dr. on the west side of the church
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT’S BULLETIN: (just click on the following link….) 062020Handouts
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In-person gatherings for Worship Services, Sunday School, and Groups are beginning a time of transition over the next weeks and months. While there is a lightening of some of the restrictions, we are attempting to be both mindful and heartful about the exciting opportunity of returning to the worship and the ministry we have been so blessed to participate in. Through it all we will strive to determine the most loving way to proceed with a communal care for others now and in the future. Our church has a treasured history of being mindful of the needs of the few, the vulnerable, sacrificing our personal comforts to provide opportunities for those that may have unique needs. Our decisions along the way will not be solely based on the recommendations of the health care professionals and guidance of community leadership, but also on the commandment to love, holding a deep concern to keep our congregation and community safe… Paul challenged the church in I Corinthians 16: “13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.”
If you haven’t received a paper copy of the letter in the postal mail this week, you may read it here: NextPhaseWorship062120
A team of our own “Special Agents” from the C.I.A. (COGS Information Agency) have produced short video to give an example walk-thru of coming to worship during this special time. Enjoy a light-hearted explanation of our temporary process we’ll be following at Church of the Good Shepherd for the several weeks between the opening and closing statements of our pastors. “Click” on the following link: Safe Transitions for Worship at Good Shepherd
WEDNESDAY 7AM Daily Office and Communion has resumed. It will be held in the pavilion. We encourage those attending to sit separated from one another and wear your face mask when approaching others. We will be consecrating and using the pre-packaged elements that we distribute for the services.
Looking forward: A letter above went out to those we have addresses for in our data base that live locally. We are very grateful for the various teams who have helped develop the process of how we will “lean in” to starting worship services being held indoors. Two teams have worked carefully to develop the process for us continue forward while our society navigates the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. It won’t always be this way, we simply ask people to patiently walk through this phase with love and grace for one another. The journey begins with everyone wearing masks, sitting separated into household groups or as individuals, without singing out loud, etc. – it is strange, but we are moving forward. We will still be practicing the supportive care of refraining from gathered conversations and socializing until we have some assurance that we will not risk endangering another brother or sister in Christ.
While we are aware that there are some churches opening the doors completely, our leadership is engaging in a calculated and care-full process of taking the time and actions necessary that will enable people to continue to care for those of all ages who may be at risk while also providing opportunities for the spiritual growth and ministry of our congregation. EACH PERSON must choose their own level of engagement within what is being offered at this time based on your own comfrort level and personal situation. For this reason we will continue to have multiple opportunities provided for worship and ministry. For worship: Drive-in Church is held on Saturday night at 6PM; transitional worship services with contemporary services on Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 9:45, and a traditional service at 11 with the restrictions listed above. The worship services will continue to be posted on Sundays for those feeling safest participating in worship from their own homes. Please check our children, youth, Celebrate Recovery and other ministry pages to find specific opportunities available.