Re-Gathering at PVBC

We are re-gathering soon!  Some are excited about re-gathering at the church facility.  Some are excited about re-gathering, but feel it is wise for them not to do so at this time.  BOTH are good decisions!  And your decision will be honored by all.  And of course, the Sunday service will continue to be live streamed over Facebook and YouTube.

We are officially re-gathering on Sunday Morning the 31st.  We chose this date to re-gather because we decided to wait until indoor restaurant dining was reopened which happened on May 21st.

We are doing our best to follow the appropriate health guidelines to provide a safe and welcoming environment.  Things will be different when we re-gather, but that is ok.  Because we remember the gathering of Christ Followers is not about us, but about our worship of Christ.   

Let’s look at re-gathering in two ways:

How to prepare yourself:

·         Do not feel guilty if you choose not to come.  It is ok.  It is a valid decision to decide not to re-gather at this time. 

·         Please, do not come if you have any symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to the virus and not been medically cleared.

·         Do not come if you do not want to risk exposure to yourself or your family members.  Just like going out to any store or restaurant, any place people congregate there is a risk.

·         Masks are welcome, but not required.

·         Please, do not feel awkward if you choose to wear a mask.  

·         Be gracious to one another. Not everyone thinks or feels the same concerning all the issues surrounding this time.

·         We should not force our personal standards on others.  No one should be afraid to politely ask others to not be so close.

·         Different people will take different approaches.  We should allow each other this freedom and not criticize someone for being “too-risky” or not “taking this seriously” or acting “too scared” or trying to be “too safe.”

·         Loving one another and encouraging one another is of greater importance than our opinions concerning the virus.  

·         Six feet social distancing is important at all times.  That means there is no handshaking or hugging.

·         If you have any concerns, health issues, or if you are in an “at risk” group we recommend you consider to remain at home and continue to watch our online services.

How the church facility will function:

·         Our goal is to make your time at PVBC as touch free as possible.

·         The Church facility will be completely cleaned and sanitized.

·         Please stagger your entrance to and exit from the building to keep proper social distancing. It might be wise to come a few minutes early so that proper social distancing can happen when you enter.

·         We have limited space in our hallway so please, do not stop to talk or congregate in the hallway.  Please talk either outside the facility or in the Chapel.  Again, keeping proper social distancing.

·         Hand sanitizer will be available in several locations throughout the church facility.

·         Seating in the Chapel will be spaced out for social distancing.  Please sit in family groups only.  The chairs in the chapel are arranged in groups of 3, 4, and 5 chairs.

·         The service will be streamed live into the Fellowship Hall.   It is set up for parents with children and as an overflow room.

·         No child care will be provided.  Pre-packaged snacks and drinks will be available in the Fellowship Hall for children.

·         As many doors as possible will be propped open.

·         The offering plate will not be passed but will be collected in the back of the chapel.

·         There will be no use of hymnals or visitor registration.

·         If you have to use the bathrooms they will be limited to one person or one family at a time.

·         There will be no bulletin and no coffee available.  There will be bottled water available.

·         Sunday School, Prayer Meeting, and Youth Group will continue on Zoom.  Please see Pastor Brian or Pastor Rob for more details.

Thank you for your patience and understanding with me and the leadership at PVBC.  If you have any questions please feel free to call, text, or   email me.  We are doing our best to have a good reputation with our community and pursue our passion to meet together.

And thank you as well for your grace and acceptance for each other “counting others more significant than yourself.”  1 Peter 5:5 challenges us to “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another.”  Jesus said in John 13:34 “Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

We have a great church because we put Christ first!  And because we value “one another” as the Scripture calls us to.

You are missed!  You are loved!

Pastor Brian