FRIDAY MAY 15TH 2020 UPDATE
HR and A&F have approved paying staff through June for both the preschool and our program staff. This is in part because of the faithfulness of our members who continue to send their financial support both in the mail, and through our online giving options. We are grateful and blessed as a faith community to have members who understand the impact generosity makes on the lives of others through missions, but also the staff who count on member support.
Pastor Bryan Stamper and the executive team are working on initial plans for a "phased" reopening of in person worship and/or programming. Our guidelines will primarily be taken from state restrictions, federal recommendations, local presbytery wisdom, and our insurance carrier. At this time we are at best weeks away from any kind of limited gatherings on our campus.
Pastoral Care Emergencies - EMAIL or CALL 858-487-0811 x206
Prayer Requests - EMAIL
Weekly eNewsletter SIGN-UP
Dr Stamper's daily devotional SIGN-UP
Online Giving instructions LINK
APRIL 22ND 2020
A unanimous decision was made to pay all staff through April and May, despite anticipated drops in giving and no preschool tuition for either month. This decision was made to both avoid contributing to the unemployment challenges facing our nation, and as an investment in the staff who faithfully serve the Lord at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian.
Thank you to our faithful givers who make this generous support to our staff possible.
The campus remains closed to volunteers but some staff are returning in very limited numbers to process our bookkeeping needs, collect mail, and continue necessary campus maintenance projects.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th 2020 UPDATE 2:00 PM
Our campus remains closed, with plans to continue ministry off site through April and May. Your leadership team makes daily decisions based on the latest information for best practices with regards to COVID-19. We continue to be the church in this new season.
On Wednesdays we provide weekly updates on this page, and on this site's front page in the form of a video update from Pastor Bryan. On Fridays we post an eNewsletter (sign up link is below). Thank you to all our faith family who continue to financially and spiritually support the church in this temporary season.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 1ST 2020 UPDATE 2:00 PM
The office remains closed as we model to our community more stringent measures to stay at home. We encourage all of our faith family to follow the directives to not only wash hands and practice social distancing, but also to not venture into the community unless necessary. All of our worship service elements were recorded before the quarantine measures went into effect - which means we owe a tremendous "thank you" to Luke Graham and Liz Virkler for planning ahead in anticipation of where we are today.
Our EVENTS page on this site is the quickest link for the latest online programming. Our NEWS page is the source of inspiration and informational updates in addition to our FACEBOOK page.
Our leaders, staff and key ministry volunteers thank all of our community for supporting the ministries and missions of Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian during this unusual season of life. Set up your recurring or onetime gift on this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving. Checks may still be sent to ATTN: Finance Office, RB Community Presbyterian, 17010 Pomerado Rd, San Diego, CA 92128
We are in this together. Join us in worship this Palm Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
IMPORTANT links:
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization) go to Dr. Mofid Wasef at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls are forwarded to his cell phone.
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
MONDAY MARCH 30TH 2020 UPDATE 2:00 PM
Thank you for the affirmations re: yesterday's online worship. Facebook experienced a system wide glitch on their side of things that affected area churches. For next weekend, we recommend YouTube to view our Palm Sunday worship at 10:00 a.m. If you were not able to join us live yesterday, the service is available in its entirety HERE.
Updates on this page will become weekly updates to post every Wednesday by 2:00 PM. The staff continue to meet daily via video to plan, coordinate and promote new online content (which will be the new normal at least through April). The weekly eNewsletter will be sent out each Friday morning - sign up HERE if you did not receive the last edition.
Our EVENTS page is the quickest link for the latest online programming.
IMPORTANT links:
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization) go to Dr. Mofid Wasef at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls are forwarded to his cell phone.
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
We appreciate our faith family who have made the commitment to online giving. Set up your recurring or onetime gift on this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving. Checks may still be sent to ATTN: Finance Office, RB Community Presbyterian, 17010 Pomerado Rd, San Diego, CA 92128
FRIDAY MARCH 27TH 2020 UPDATE 2:00 PM
The weekly eNewsletter was sent out today, sign up HERE if you did not receive it.
We have received word from our preschool regarding a case of coronavirus connected to the preschool. The individual involved is not connected to our church or Sunday School program, however we want our church to be aware. The following message went out to preschool families from Kim Vandergrift, our Preschool Director.
"Important COVID-19 Information:
There has been a positive case of COVID-19 on our Preschool campus. The last day of exposure was Friday, March 13th. The person was not feeling ill at that time.
Our recommendation, and following the CDC guidelines, is for you to be aware that you may have been exposed to the virus. It is recommended that anyone who may have been exposed should self-quarantine for 14 days to watch for symptoms of the virus. Fortunately, 14 days of quarantine from March 13th will end this evening, if you have no symptoms.
Your health and well-being are very important to us. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Kim Vandergrift”
IMPORTANT links:
We have added an instructional page for people new to online technology
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization) go to Dr. Mofid Wasef at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls are forwarded to his cell phone.
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
We appreciate our faith family who have made the commitment to online giving. Set up your recurring or onetime gift on this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving. Giving checks may still be sent to the church office.
In case you missed Pastor Bryan’s video message of encouragement - VIDEO
Remember to stay in your home as much as possible until further notice. Wash your hands after returning from any essential trips. And let us join with Christians around the world in prayer for those affected by this virus. Do your part to encourage others with a positive message of God's love.
THURSDAY MARCH 26TH 2020 UPDATE 2:45 PM
TONIGHT @7:00 PM - HYMN SING w/Liz Virkler. We had over 150 people for this virtual hymn sing last Thursday! Spread the word through Social Media, it’s free for all. HYMN SING INFO
MASK MAKERS NEEDED: Are you a seamstress who can make simple masks? We are making simple 6" x 9" rectangles with elastic ear hooks. Contact Kathy at EMAIL for more specific information about design, materials, and drop off locations.
In case you missed Pastor Bryan’s video message of encouragement - VIDEO
We appreciate our faith family who have made the commitment to online giving. Set up your recurring or onetime gift on this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving.
We have added an instructional page for people new to online technology
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization) go to Dr. Mofid Wasef at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls are forwarded to his cell phone.
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
Remember to stay in your home as much as possible until further notice. Wash your hands after returning from any essential trips. And let us join with Christians around the world in prayer for those affected by this virus. Do your part to encourage others with a positive message of God's love.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 25TH 2020 DAILY UPDATE 2:00 PM
We continue to call on our faith family’s most vulnerable members. The news to date is encouraging, but we recognize there is fear, anxiety and sadness we can soothe with loving conversation and attention. Thank you to our Response Team for continuing this important ministry.
We have a Mission Team update to celebrate today. From Elaine Johnson from our Missions Team. “During this time of uncertainty, RB Community is keeping our commitment to deliver 100 sack lunches once a month for clients at Interfaith Community Services. Last Friday, when we delivered the lunches Interfaith personnel were so appreciative of our contribution as many organizations have dropped off their calendar due to the COVID-19 quarantine. If this is an outreach effort you would like to help support please contact Elaine Johnson at Elaine@rbcpc.org for details.”
Remember to peruse the new listings of events happening online. Click HERE for the latest, more added daily. Remember to follow us on FACEBOOK and to also overcommunicate messages about God’s love, sovereignty and provision. Tonight (Wednesday, March 25th), we have a Call to Prayer video from Pastor Bryan posting on the front page of our website. It will be posted by 7:00 PM. WEBSITE COVER
We appreciate our faith family who have made the commitment to online giving. To set up your recurring or onetime gift, go to this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving.
We have added an instructional page for people new to online technology HERE
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization) go to Dr. Mofid Wasef at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls are forwarded to his cell phone.
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
TUESDAY MARCH 24TH, 2020 4:30 PM UPDATE
Our Session of Elders met last evening via video conference to address a way forward in the coming weeks. There was unanimous approval of a motion to extend authority to both our Administration & Finance Committee, and Human Resources Committee to make decisions as needed in the next 90 days. They will report to Session as needed, and Session will evaluate their work next month. These committees are comprised of both active Elders, former Elders, and professionals within fields related to their ministry charters.
We encourage our members to pray as we move through another week of unprecedented circumstances for our world, nation, community and church. We appreciate our faith family who have made the commitment to online giving. To set up your recurring or onetime gift, go to this page https://rbcommunity.org/giving.
We have added an instructional page for people new to online technology HERE
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
What the CHURCH is doing:
RESPONSE TEAM - the Elders approved a task force to contact our most vulnerable and isolated members. The Response Team monitors 858-267-3293 as a number to TEXT or CALL for our most senior members and family members who live in other areas and want us to check on their loved ones. Somebody from the team will respond. The Response Team is also setting up systems to help other people in our immediate northern San Diego community.
OFFERING - please give online, TEXT the word "give" to 858-239-0294, or visit our giving link at https://rbcommunity.org/giving - mail in offerings are still being collected, thank you.
ONLINE VIEWING - you can watch worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. The video link is on Facebook and YouTube (no account required to view).
COMMUNION - we are currently exploring communion alternatives
What YOU can do:
Stay home when sick. Wash your hands. Disinfect your home and workspace as you would do during flu season. And above all else, keep calm.
Worship is 10:00 AM online. Instructions to view HERE.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Email questions to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org .
MONDAY MARCH 23RD, 2020 2:15 PM UPDATE
We had a tremendous turnout and viewership via our online worship services last weekend. The services are up to view at your convenience on Facebook and YouTube . Our campus remains closed, but our online resources and educational materials are rapidly expanding.
We have added a Weekly Schedule update page HERE (with links added by the hour).
We have added an instructional page for people new to online technology HERE
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
What the CHURCH is doing:
RESPONSE TEAM - the Elders approved a task force to contact our most vulnerable and isolated members. The Response Team monitors 858-267-3293 as a number to TEXT or CALL for our most senior members and family members who live in other areas and want us to check on their loved ones. Somebody from the team will respond. The Response Team is also setting up systems to help other people in our immediate northern San Diego community.
OFFERING - please give online, TEXT the word "give" to 858-239-0294, or visit our giving link at https://rbcommunity.org/giving - mail in offerings are still being collected, thank you.
ONLINE VIEWING - you can watch worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. The video link is on Facebook and YouTube (no account required to view).
COMMUNION - we are currently exploring communion alternatives
What YOU can do:
Stay home when sick. Wash your hands. Disinfect your home and workspace as you would do during flu season. And above all else, keep calm.
Worship is 10:00 AM at https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc - you do not need an account to experience the service. No worship services on campus.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Email questions to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org .
FRIDAY MARCH 20TH, 2020 3:00 PM UPDATE
We appreciate your patience as we strive to stay on top of the latest information. The main news item today at 3:00 PM, our campus is closed until further notice by order of the Governor of California.
Our alarms are active for the entire campus and we are utilizing security measures to check on our facilities 24 hours a day. Please follow the government directives to remain at home except for allowed activities.
Good news! We had a Thursday hymn sing online with about 200 folks joining Liz Virkler for a time of worship, and our online student activities happened today. We also remain on target for a week of online activities to launch on Monday. Thank you for your prayers, be with us on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
PENDING WEEKLY SCHEDULE STARTING NEXT MONDAY (March 23rd)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 AM Children’s Ministries Online Events
Monday & Friday 2:00 PM Student Ministries LIVE online
Tuesday 2:00 PM new Adult Education content posted LINK
Wednesday 7:00 PM Call to Prayer LIVE video with Pastor Bryan
Thursday 7:00 PM Hymn Sing LIVE video
Friday eNews sent to inboxes
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
What the CHURCH is doing:
RESPONSE TEAM - the Elders approved a task force to contact our most vulnerable and isolated members. The Response Team monitors 858-267-3293 as a number to TEXT or CALL for our most senior members and family members who live in other areas and want us to check on their loved ones. Somebody from the team will respond. The Response Team is also setting up systems to help other people in our immediate northern San Diego community.
OFFERING - please give online, TEXT the word "give" to 858-239-0294, or visit our giving link at https://rbcommunity.org/giving - mail in offerings are still being collected, thank you.
ONLINE VIEWING - you can watch worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. The video link is on Facebook and YouTube (no account required to view).
COMMUNION - we are currently exploring communion alternatives
What YOU can do:
Stay home when sick. Wash your hands. Disinfect your home and workspace as you would do during flu season. And above all else, keep calm.
Worship is 10:00 AM at https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc - you do not need an account to experience the service. No worship services on campus.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Email questions to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org .
THURSDAY MARCH 19TH, 2020 2:00 PM DAILY UPDATE- Next week we begin our weekly online series of events in addition to Sunday worship at 10:00 a.m. Our program staff are creating fantastic content for all ages, and we already have 4 Adult Education classes online (watch one hour or binge watch at your convenience). ADULT CLASSES LINK
Please go to our Facebook page, like us, and note the coming live events which begin tonight (Thursday) with a live hymn sing along activity. An online crowd tested it last night to rave reviews! This Friday we will send out an eNewsletter but If you do not receive the eNews in your inbox by 10:00 AM, contact communications@rbcpc.org.
PENDING WEEKLY SCHEDULE STARTING NEXT MONDAY (March 23rd)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 AM Children’s Ministries Online Events
Monday & Friday 2:00 PM Student Ministries LIVE online
Tuesday 2:00 PM new Adult Education content posted LINK
Wednesday 7:00 PM Call to Prayer LIVE video with Pastor Bryan
Thursday 7:00 PM Hymn Sing LIVE video
Friday eNews sent to inboxes
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
What the CHURCH is doing:
RESPONSE TEAM - the Elders approved a task force to contact our most vulnerable and isolated members. The Response Team monitors 858-267-3293 as a number to TEXT or CALL for our most senior members and family members who live in other areas and want us to check on their loved ones. Somebody from the team will respond. The Response Team is also setting up systems to help other people in our immediate northern San Diego community.
OFFERING - please give online, TEXT the word "give" to 858-239-0294, or visit our giving link at https://rbcommunity.org/giving - mail in offerings are still being collected, thank you.
ONLINE VIEWING - you can watch worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. The video link is on Facebook and YouTube (no account required to view).
COMMUNION - we are currently exploring communion alternatives
What YOU can do:
Stay home when sick. Wash your hands. Disinfect your home and workspace as you would do during flu season. And above all else, keep calm.
Worship is 10:00 AM at https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc - you do not need an account to experience the service. No worship services on campus.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Email questions to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org .
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18TH, 2020 2:00 PM UPDATE
Today our Leadership Staff met again on campus and by video for strategic planning, prayer, and emergency response decisions. For the coming weeks, Leadership Staff are committed to this daily time of collaborative work together. They want you to know: your staff and key volunteers are appreciative of our understanding members who want to volunteer, but now find themselves restricted by new guidelines coming from local and national authorities.
Today we announce new online programming options, with more to come in the coming days.
NEW ONLINE MATERIAL
Thursday (March 19th) 2:00 PM Call to Prayer video with Pastor Bryan (check back here for the video)
Thursday (March 19th) 7:00 PM LIVE Hymn Sing with Liz Virkler (facebook.com/liz.virkler) - scroll down to find the event and click “reminder”
Friday (March 20th) 10:00 a.m. Children’s Chapel (LINK to be announced)
Friday (March 20th) 2:00 p.m. Jr Hi and Sr Hi LIVE Youtube Event 2:00 p.m., ( LINK )
Adult Education has four complete classes online for immediate viewing ( CLICK HERE )
Tomorrow or Friday we will post an updated weekly schedule of online events/options for all ages.
Our online worship at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday will be available on both Facebook and YouTube (links to be announced)
Pastoral Care requests should go to pastoralcare@rbcpc.org
Prayer requests should go to prayer@rbcpc.org
What the CHURCH is doing:
RESPONSE TEAM - the Elders approved a task force to contact our most vulnerable and isolated members. The Response Team monitors 858-267-3293 as a number to TEXT or CALL for our most senior members and family members who live in other areas and want us to check on their loved ones. Somebody from the team will respond. The Response Team is also setting up systems to help other people in our immediate northern San Diego community.
OFFERING - please give online, TEXT the word "give" to 858-239-0294, or visit our giving link at https://rbcommunity.org/giving - mail in offerings are still being collected, thank you.
ONLINE VIEWING - you can watch worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. The video link is on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc . You do not need a Facebook account to view the service online. We are working on a YouTube channel as well.
COMMUNION - we are currently exploring communion alternatives
What YOU can do:
Stay home when sick. Wash your hands. Disinfect your home and workspace as you would do during flu season. And above all else, keep calm.
Worship is 10:00 AM at https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc - you do not need an account to experience the service. No worship services on campus.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Please call (858-487-0811) with questions.
UPDATE 2:00 PM TUESDAY MARCH 17TH, 2020
Your staff is grateful for your support as we continue to enforce guidelines coming from the CDC and local San Diego government offices. We met as a Leadership Team of staff today, and we will be meeting daily throughout the work week to both plan worship, and also offer online courses for adults and children. Church staff are still working, responding and planning for ministry and mission. More to follow!
We are limiting Leadership Staff to 10 people at any given time on campus - it is not necessary to have any other persons on campus at this time. All Leadership Staff on campus will be under the age of 65.
The campus will close and have alarms activated by 6:00 p.m. every day.
Jr. High and Sr. High student ministries will host a LIVE online event this Friday, 7:00 p.m. (link to be announced Wednesday).
Children's Ministries and our Preschool leadership will host material online - (link and times to be announced by the end of the week).
Adult education classes are being uploaded.
We invite all of our members to pray for God's wisdom as we continue to follow Jesus. We will post an online call to prayer event with Dr. Stamper this week.
For Pastoral Care emergencies (death or hospitalization), Dr. Mofid Wasef can be reached by calling the office at 858-487-0811, extension 206. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone.
To keep people safe and to maintain our faithfulness in following the local ordinances and federal best practices, we are asking people to NOT drop by our campus, per CDC and local San Diego guidelines. Please call (858-487-0811) with questions.
{PREVIOUS UPDATES BELOW}
UPDATE 1:15 PM MONDAY MARCH 16TH, 2020
Thank you for the kind response, genuine patience and Christ-centered respect conveyed to our staff and volunteers who put together a wonderful worship experience this past Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Our leadership is thankful for the caring faith family of members, volunteers, staff and pastors who are coming together in this season. Updates will come to this page every day at 2:00 p.m.
Worship will be online again this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (March 22nd). The link is on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc . You do not need a Facebook account. You may watch last week's service at the same link.
Our church campus is NOT closed, but programs are cancelled. Aside from staff access, doors are locked. Check-in at the front office is required.
For their safety, volunteers over 60 years of age are asked to stay away from the premises until further notice.
Resale Shops are closed until further notice.
Our Response Team is making phone calls to our most senior members first. The number to leave a message or text - 858-239-0294.
UPDATE 3:00 PM FRIDAY MARCH 13TH, 2020
Worship Services will be online only for the next three weekends: Sat/Sun March 14/15, 21/22 and 28/29. The service will be posted at 10 a.m. Sunday morning on https://www.facebook.com/rbcpc. You do not need a Facebook account to view the service online.
The RBCPC Preschool classes follow the direction of the PUSD guidelines. Therefore classes are suspended for at least three weeks starting Monday, March 16.
All Sunday morning programming for children and students is OFF for the next three weekends: March 15, 22 and 29.
The Youth Musical shows are cancelled for March 13, 14, 15.
High School Ministries on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings are cancelled for the next three weeks.
Wednesday Dinners during Lent and Thursday Senior luncheon programming is OFF until further notice.
PASTORAL CARE concerns and PRAYER REQUESTS email is the same: pastoralcare@rbcpc.org and prayer@rbcpc.org
UPDATE AT 3:00 PM - THURSDAY March 12th, 2020
Dear Friends and Faith Family,
Thank you for being an integral member of our community in Christ. You have shown resilience in supporting our northern San Diego community in the past - offering generosity and stability to our neighbors after the fires of 2007, and recently hosting a candlelight vigil within hours of the violent tragedy to our Jewish neighbors in 2019. The people of Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church have always shown courage, confidence and compassion in the face of uncertainty. You truly model hope and faith in Christ, no matter the season. And that is why I’m honored to serve with you, even as we address the situation regarding the coronavirus.
In short, we are taking steps for this weekend to continue with both our youth theater production and all worship services. The times will remain the same, all systems “go” for those experiences. We will limit attendance to 250 in the sanctuary with overflow streaming in the Fellowship Hall if needed. We are confident in the Lord’s provision for what we need to host everything. Our staff remain confident and calm, prepared and passionate, in planning for a safe weekend of events.
Remember also that we are blessed with a host of parish nurses on staff, available by email or phone if you have questions about the virus (cheryl@rbcpc.org). Our decisions include their advice and the recommendations coming from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Being cautious and prudent is the Biblical perspective that overcomes any tendency to fear. We have moved beyond reaction into preparedness, and while we maintain an awareness of the facts, we are confident we can provide a safe place to worship and grow in Christ this weekend. Our nurses have identified, as have all valid sources of facts, people who should consider altering their participation in large groups.
The following words come from one of our parish nurses.
“As Christians, we want all of our people to remember there is no reason to fear. People at higher risk of getting very sick from coronavirus should avoid large public gatherings when possible. You are at higher risk if you are an older adult or you have a serious chronic medical condition like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. If you see a cardiologist regularly, you have heart disease. Lung disease includes asthma, COPD, bronchitis and emphysema.”
You have some options for worship this weekend if you are at higher risk or choose to stay home. We will be hosting in person worship services at the same times on Saturday and at all five Sunday services. Again, we will limit attendance in the sanctuary to 250 (with overflow in the Fellowship Hall if needed). For those who do not attend in person, we will be streaming our worship services live at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The services will be streamed through our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rbcpc. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view the live streamed services.
Make your own decision, but we will be on campus for those who choose to attend in person. We will continue to monitor public health recommendations through our denomination and government agencies.
And let us remember, above all things, we have an opportunity to convey confidence in the Lord who is sovereign over all. We can pray for our community and the people who do not have the confidence we have through faith in Jesus Christ.
The coronavirus is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and we will provide updated information as it becomes available. But we will not fear. And we will not lose confidence in the Hope we know in Jesus Christ.
Keep trusting in the Lord,
Pastor Bryan