New Hope’s Guidelines for In-Person Worship & Ministry during Covid-19

Learning. Loving. Worship. Prayer.

Guiding Principles

We are planning to gather again for in-person worship services on Sunday, June 21 @ 9 & 11 am.

Our guiding principles are: To honor God & His Word (Ps 138:2, 1 Tim 1:17) To love our neighbors as ourselves (Jn 13:34, Gal 5:14) To respect one another (Rom 12:10, 1 Peter 2:17) To stay humble & adjust our plans as needed (Prov 16:9, Micah 6:8)

These are the four core values that shape our “biblical community.”

Worship is an essential service for our members. When first returning to in-person worship, we will continue to consider New Hope an “online church” as we are aware that not all members will choose to return initially. We ask that you return only if you are well (no recent Covid-19 symptoms or contact with an infected person).

1

(Infant to 6th Grade)

“Family Worship” offered.

Individually wrapped crayon packages, coloring and activity pages will be provided.

Seating available at tables in the Quad if preferred (1 family group per table).

Family Resource Table with free children’s Bibles and relevant information for parents after in-person services.

We will have a volunteer, wearing gloves and a mask, distributing these.

Virtual “Family Connection” Bible lesson and activities accessible through Facebook will launch on or before we re-open.

NH Kids & Families Facebook posts will continue 2-3 times per week.

On-site Children’s Ministry will resume at a later date, yet to be determined.

GREENHOUSE

THE

We are hoping to have our youth engage in some in-person meetings following social distancing guidelines. We will not be holding formal Youth Group meetings, but we will stay connected through the summer.

Mon-Thurs Virtual Bible Reading & Discussion.

Individual Discipleship Meetings: In-person if both parties are comfortable.

Discipleship Small Groups (<10): In-person if possible.

GreenHouse Community Meetings (>10): 1-2x/month, in-person if permitted and possible.

Starting June 24th, meeting every Wednesday at 7:00pm at the church (outside, weather permitting).

(College & Young Adults)

(MS & HS)

Here are our specific plans for Sunday services as well as other ministries:

YouthMinistry

2

MEN

Continuing with weekly Jennifer Rothschild’s Bible Study on Facebook at Noon on Tuesdays.Ladies

Not planning on in-person meetings until a later date.SeniorsMinistry

Meetings will resume in the fall.

M I S S I O N S

Plans are being made to support Samaritan’s Purse’s efforts with the flooding crisis in Midland, Michigan.

Specific Plans, continued:

3

We will use an online sign-up system for people to reserve their spot.

We are planning on a 25% capacity of our maximum seating.

Please be gracious with us while we work out a process that is good for everyone.Our focus is safety and avoiding situations where people are turned away.

Please bring your own mask.

We ask that parents make the best effort regarding their young children and masks.

Masks are not recommended for children under age 2.

Safe In-Person Worship Guidelines:

ReservationSystem

Wearing of maskswill be required

Clearly marked entry and exit points.

Hand sanitizer will be available at all doors.

Please follow 6-foot social distancing as you walk through the building.

We will not be printing a bulletin to start.

Please bring your own Bible, sermon notes, and pen.

Entry & Exit to the building

Handouts, Bibles, sermon notes, pens

We will discontinue all food and beverage service on Sunday mornings until further notice.Food & Beverage

4

Safe In-Person Worship Guidelines, continued:

Seating

We will have a team of people to wipe down frequently touched surfaces, especially in between each service.

We have pre-packaged elements (bread and juice) for use during the first few communion services.

We will have bins at the exits to dispose of communion cups.

Surfaces

Communion

Auditorium and Atrium:

Every other row has been removed in the auditorium.

Glass doors will remain open allowing for additional rows of seats in the atrium while accommodating foot traffic.

Please follow 6-foot social distancing within the rows (3 empty chairs between groups).

Quad:

The entire Quad will be available for overflow seating.

The service will be broadcast on the large screen.

The front half of the Quad will have rows of chairs and the back half will have tables and chairs.

Revised 6-9-20 5