August 30, 2020

 

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ROBERTS

 

Dear Christ Chapel Family:

 

Warm Greetings in the Precious and Wonderful Name of Jesus!

 

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly six months since we last worshiped together in the sanctuary at Christ Chapel. We have certainly missed you and the warmth of worship that we had so grown accustomed to.

 

After considerable prayer and the review of ongoing trends and detailed research, we believe the time has come to begin worship once again in the sanctuary of Christ Chapel beginning this Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM. We realize that there are many people who may not yet be ready to return into the building and therefore, in addition to the in-sanctuary service, we will continue our online presence at our Web site www.christchapellife.org and on Facebook at Christ Chapel Life. Our sanctuary services will be live-streamed while our on-going pastoral “Our Home to Yours” services will continue to be posted on our web page and on Facebook for viewing at your convenience.

 

Obviously, our greatest challenge with the in-sanctuary service will be to have the necessary protocols to promote environmental safety for everyone in attendance. All CDC mandated guidelines will be followed that include but are not limited to:

• Pre-registration of individuals and families looking to attend.

• Designated seating.

• Seating and standing that meets 6 feet social distancing criteria.

• The wearing of masks at ALL times.

• Orderly entering and exiting of the building.

• Avoiding touching such as hugs and handshakes.

• Providing touch-free offertory opportunities.

• Ensuring children are supervised and not allowed to roam away from designated seating areas.

 

Although on the surface this may look unnecessarily taxing, we believe it can be accomplished effectively and without any great challenge. It will however, require cooperation by everyone. 

In a few days we will be sending to each of you an email that will explain in greater detail steps we are taking to ensure your safety. The email will include another simple survey to capture your input regarding the return to church at this time. Please take a moment to complete and submit the survey. It will certainly assist in our planning as we go forward.

 

In closing, allow me to commend each of you for how well you have maintained your faith and love for Jesus during these unprecedented times. Our Life Groups and Life University Classes have been exciting and have contributed greatly to maintaining and fostering strong relationships in the church. Our Facebook Live presentations by Pastor Jeff Nordin on Friday evenings has been viewed across the country as have our other Facebook Live presentations by Pastors Bill Baker, Francina Schmitt, Kerry Alva, Tim Latiff, and Charlotte Denny . Our Intercessory Prayer Team is about to be relaunched with the initial focus being directed towards our schools, students, teachers, and families, and will hopefully, develop into a strong ongoing Intercessory Movement at Christ Chapel.

 

I particularly want to commend two more groups. First, our Christ Chapel Academy Staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the summer months to ensure that our school could be opened safely this fall. Work is now complete and students returned this week. Please keep them in prayer.

 

The second group are those of you, who have gone above and beyond to facilitate groups discussions and teachings, provided food to the needy, assisted the vulnerable in our community and the many who gave more and more to ensure our compassion and missionary ministries remained strong and viable. I recently received a letter from our Assembly of God Headquarters indicating that we are in the top 100 missionary giving churches in the nation. Thank you for what you do and are continuing to do to share the gospel around the world.

 

Finally, one more time, Lynna and I say thank you to all of you. We consider ourselves extremely blessed to be part of such a wonderful gathering of people. Although we are not yet perfect, you must admit that in the midst of the challenges facing our world, we are committed to doing our best to share the love of God to all. God has began a good thing among us, and as you have heard me say in the past, my greatest task is not to “mess it up”!



Love and blessings,

 

Pastor Bill and Lynna Roberts

Senior Pastor

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