August 6, 2020 Mt Hope Reopening Update Letter
from Pastor David
Greetings Mt. Hope Church Family, August 6, 2020
Blessings today in Jesus’ name! I’d like to quickly update you with the latest developments regarding the further reopening of our Mt. Hope ministries. We have been praying that God would give us discernment and guidance.
WE WERE HOPING to begin our children and youth mid-week ministries on Wednesday, August 12th, which is the first day of school for South Adams. However, upon communication with parents and with other churches in the community, the leadership team decided it best to continue to wait through August until the governor makes his next decision regarding the further reopening of the state of Indiana. Parents still have serious concerns about their children being in groups and churches are finding a very slow and small return of children and youth to their buildings.
ATTEMPTS ARE BEING made to stay in touch with our children and youth. Tentative plans are in place to reconnect with many of them through a small event at Lehman Park. We plan to reassess our reopening situation on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 with the hope of possibly reopening mid-week ministries in September.
These are definitely very strange times for not just us, but for everyone around the globe. It’s certainly a crucial time to keep our “spiritual lamps” trimmed and burning bright in order to be prepared for the next move of the LORD. (Matthew 25:1-13)
The church leadership team is here to answer any questions you may have. Becky and I love you all…and we are still here to help you if we can! Thank you for your faithfulness to the LORD!
God keep you all!
P. David
PD: cell 317-459-7155
parsonage: 260-589-3685
Kim: cell 260-589-8089
mounthopeoffice@yahoo.com
July 3, 2020 Mt Hope Reopening Update Letter
from Pastor David
Greetings Mt. Hope Church Family, July 3, 2020 Blessings today in Jesus’ name! Since my last letter to you we reopened Mt. Hope on Sunday, May 24th for 10 a.m. worship service only. It has been wonderful to be together again!
You know by now that Governor Holcomb decided to pull back the reins on fully reopening and lifting all restrictions for the State of Indiana set for Saturday, July 4th due to an increase in positive testing of the Coronavirus among Hoosiers the last few days. Surrounding states have had serious increases and have had to delay reopening strategies as well, therefore, Governor Holcomb placed Indiana on Stage 4.5 from July 4th through July 17th (2 weeks). Basically, the guidelines for Stage 4.5 are the same as Stage 4 which we have been observing since June 13th.
OUR MOUNT HOPE LEADERSHIP TEAM prayerfully met on Thursday, July 2nd to decide the next steps in our church ministry reopening strategy. We took into consideration the State of Indiana guidelines; our Berne community action plan; and the welfare of our Mt. Hope church family.
In light of all of these factors we decided it best that we continue meeting on Sundays mornings at 10 a.m. as we have been doing. However, along with the inspirational music videos, we will begin congregational singing on Sunday, July 19th. We will start with one congregational song each Sunday for awhile. It’s suspected that group singing assists in spreading the virus...so, we’ll act with caution. We will still have no Hope Connection classes, no children’s church, and no Sunday evening services. We will also continue recording the 10 a.m. worship service and posting it on the church website and Facebook.
REGARDING MID-WEEK Adult, Youth, and Children’s Ministries…these activities were discussed at length. Our initial plan was to begin only Youth and Children ministries on Wednesday, July 8th. However, several factors discouraged this possibility…the delay of beginning Indiana’s Stage 5; the problem with transportation and social distancing; and the fact that the majority of churches in our community are beginning youth ministries on a very slow and small scale, and children’s ministries not at all. Therefore, it was decided to begin Youth (R4W) & Children (GroZone) ministries on Wednesday, August 12th. This will be the first day of school for South Adams schools. Allowing our community leaders to initiate the reopening of teen and children gatherings seems like a wise action to follow.
Mid-week Adult ministries for the summer have been placed on hold…some possibilities for this autumn are being discussed. Mid-week meals will not be possible for several more weeks.
OUR SANCTUARY will continue to be sectioned off to accommodate the 6 ft social distancing guidelines. Families are encouraged to sit together. Sanitizing the building will still be a top priority as well. At the close of the worship service people will be dismissed by rows. It’s still suggested that everyone move outside and maintain the proper distance if you would like to fellowship with others. Providing hand sanitizing stations and masks will be available if needed. The authorities are encouraging everyone to wear masks, but especially those 65 years old and older. Handshaking and hugging are discouraged for now. The coffee nook is still out of commission, but if folks would like to bring their own coffee that will be fine. Restrooms will remain open as well. Again, please, be assured that the building will be disinfected each week.
FOR THOSE 65 YEARS OLD AND OLDER, we understand if you are still hesitant to attend worship services at this time. We want you to feel safe. Please, continue to enjoy worshiping the LORD at home.
Several voices have proclaimed all this to be the “new normal.” Well, I’m not sure that is true. Most likely a vaccine will eventually be developed or our society will develop immunity. Regardless, it’s good for us to be reasonably careful and safe…and at the same time surrender any fears to Jesus. We used to sing a song when I was a boy… “Tell it to Jesus.” It encouraged the troubled, worried heart to tell all its fears and concerns to Jesus, alone. The chorus went,---“Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that's well known. You've no other such a friend or brother, Tell it to Jesus alone.” Go ahead and tell Him, and He will share His peace with you! He really will.
The church leadership team is here to answer any questions you may have. Becky and I truly love you all much…and want to help you if we can! Thank you for your faithfulness to the LORD!
God keep you all!
P. David
PD: davidlcox58@gmail.com
Kim: mounthopeoffice@yahoo.com
Greetings Mt Hope Church Family from Pastor David - May 9, 2020
Reopening Mount Hope!!
Blessings to you today in Jesus’ name!
Well, it was March 15th when we had to close our church facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was first projected that this closure would extend 8-12 weeks, and as of May 10th we will be entering our 9th week of dealing with this Coronavirus. As you are aware Governor Eric Holcomb has begun to reopen our state through a series of 5 stages. Stage 2 began on May 4th and will run through May 22nd. Various restaurant, retail, office, and manufacturing businesses will begin to reopen during this stage.
STAGE 3 begins on May 23rd. This stage permits groups of 100 or fewer to begin gathering together. The Mt. Hope leadership believes this to be the best time to reopen our church facility. Therefore, Mt. Hope Church of the Nazarene will reopen on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 10 a.m. At this time, and for the next several weeks, we will only have 10 a.m. worship on Sunday mornings. There will be no Hope Connection classes, no children’s church, no Sunday evening services, and no mid-week services. We will be recording the 10 a.m. worship service and posting it on the church website and Facebook.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON SUNDAYS: While this pandemic cannot stop our worshiping our LORD, nor stop God’s word from ministering to our hearts…our church building atmosphere will be different from what we are used to. For the next several weeks we will need to practice social distancing of 6 feet between people. This is according to the state’s guidelines. Larry and Amy have volunteered to open and close the front doors for everyone to help folks avoid having to touch door handles. There will be hand sanitizing stations available and masks if needed. If you already have a mask you are encouraged to wear it. Handshaking and hugging are discouraged for now. We won’t be able to have a coffee nook for awhile, but if folks would like to bring their own coffee that will be fine. Restrooms will be open as well. Please, be assured that the building has been and will be disinfected each week. All these changes will be strange to us at first, but hopefully by stage 5 (July 4th) most of these precautions will be fading away.
OUR SANCTUARY will be sectioned off to accommodate the 6 ft social distancing guidelines. Families are encouraged to sit together. The first few weeks we will not have a Praise Team, but rather we will worship by watching worship music videos. There will be an offering receptacle in the foyer or doorway for our tithes/offerings, since it is unwise to pass the offering plates. (We really appreciate your faithfulness in giving over these last several weeks!) At the close of the worship service people will be dismissed by rows. It’s suggested that everyone move outside and maintain the proper distance if you would like to fellowship with others.
FOR THOSE 65 YEARS OLD AND OLDER, we understand if you are hesitant to attend worship services at this time. We want you to feel safe. Please, feel at ease and enjoy worshiping the LORD at home. Each week brings us closer to a safer environment and fewer restrictions.
The church leadership team is here to answer any questions you may have. Becky and I love you all much…and miss everyone! It has been a great joy to watch our church fellowship serving one another through this crisis! The love of Jesus certainly fills your hearts! Plus, I want to praise the LORD that no one in our church fellowship has been made ill by this Coronavirus!
If we can help you in any way, please contact me or Kim.
God keep you all! …until Sunday, May 24th @ 10a.m.!
P. David
PD: davidlcox58@gmail.com
Kim: mounthopeoffice@yahoo.com
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