CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
Dear Church Family & Visitors,
As our nation and state leaders continue to work towards reopening our economy and our nation, the Elders of Zion Bethel have, also, been working thru plans and ideas as to when and how we could safely begin to meet again as a church family. We know from e-mails, phone calls, and conversations that everyone is wanting to be together again. I am so encouraged by that! The local church as designed by God, is to be a place where edification, encouragement, and evangelism take place as members interact with one another on a weekly basis. Strength comes from being together. Again, I am thankful that our Church Family understands that.
So, while we need to be back together, it is imperative that we move in that direction cautiously and with concern for the well being of one another. With that in mind, the Elders have decided that we are going to start meeting on the following dates:
May 13th – Wed. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study will resume.
May 24th – Sun. Morning Worship Service will resume. There will be two AM services. The first will begin at 9:00AM. The second will begin at 10:30AM. This will allow for proper social distancing. We will ask that people sit in every other row observing, safe distancing. Those attending the second service will sit in the rows not used in the first service. Bulletins will be on a table to be picked up by those attending. An offering box will be available for you to place your offering in. We will not have Sunday School during the initial weeks. Life Groups can decide if, when, and where they will meet. Youth Group will continue to meet with Pastor Aaron thru Zoom. During the first few weeks there will be no Nursery or Children’s Church. That area will be open if you need to take your child out. (more information will follow concerning this) There will be no fellowship time.
A few things that I want to stress; First of all, our desire is to have an environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If you would prefer to wear a mask, that is fine. Please do so! If you prefer not to, that’s okay as well. If you would prefer to wait a few more weeks before re-joining, we understand and, again, that is okay. Secondly, we know that family units will sit together and they should. But, our desire is to make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe and so, we are asking that everyone observe the safe distancing protocol. If you are a visitor and want to attend one of our worship services please contact our church secretary Edith Hunt, at the church office on Wednesday or Thursday between 10am-3pm at 574-583-9787 so she can tell you which service has space available.
We plan on returning to a single service (9:00 AM) begining on August 30th.
I know that there are many questions, concerns and opinions. Please feel free to contact either myself or one of the Elders and, hopefully, we will be able to help you.
On behalf of the Elders, I want you to know that we are looking so forward to being back together. And until then, let’s pray together that God would be merciful to our country and bring us back together with renewed love and commitment to Him and one another.
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Jeff
