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Update 1-18-2021 

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Hello Church,

 

Snapshot:  Moving to two Sunday morning service times (9:30am; 11am). 

                    Same guidelines will be followed, and RSVP is mandatory. 

                   11am service will be live-streamed as usual.

 

RSVP link: 

 

Due to the number of RSVP’s we had for the 1-17-2021 service, we will be moving to two services again on Sunday mornings.  The first one will begin at 9:30am, and the second one at 11am.  This will allow ample time between services for cleaning and the check-in procedures.  RSVP’s are still required.  You will need to choose the appropriate service time when you sign up.

 

General Points:

• Starting with two services on Sunday mornings with 45 total RSVP’s per service.Use of the online RSVP system is required.

• Check-in to the service will be required and the normal health related questions answered for every individual.If you are not feeling well, are in a high risk category, or have been exposed to someone with COVID, please worship with us online from home.

• Service Times:  9:30–10:15am; 11–11:45am. (Allows for 45 min. cleaning and check-in b/w services.)

• Initially, per CDC guidelines, there will be no nursery or Graceland classes.

• Masks over the nose and mouth are required everywhere inside the building per the guidelines.

• Social distancing indoors is required, as is seating with household members only in the sanctuary.

• We will continue to live-stream as we are currently, and make the services available on YouTube.Live-streaming is planned for the 11:00am service.

 

Thank you all for your support and prayer during this time.  Please continue to reach out to each other and show love as the body of Christ.

 

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

 

GCC Leadership Team 

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Update 1-13-2021

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Hello Church,

 

The Leadership Team is pleased to announce that we will resume gathering in the building for worship this Sunday, Jan 17th. Current directives allow some indoor venues to gather with limited seating, masks, and social distancing. To continue to comply with CDC guidelines, here is our plan:

 

General Points:

• Resuming in person Sunday, Jan. 17th.

• Starting with one service at 10am (doors open at 9:45am). RSVP’s (with seating by household) are required to limit capacity. 

• Initially, per CDC guidelines, there will be no nursery or Graceland classes.

• Masks over the nose and mouth are required everywhere inside the building.

• Social distancing indoors, and seating with household members only in the sanctuary.

• Check-in to the service will be required and the normal health related questions answered for every individual.  Please, if you have been exposed to COVID, are not feeling well, have a fever, etc., join us online, not in person.

• We will continue to live-stream as we are currently at 10am on our website and Facebook, and make the services available on Youtube later Sunday afternoon.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

 

GCC Leadership Team

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Update 1/6/2021

The latest Michigan Health Dept Emergency Order MCL 333.2253 that was effective December 18, 2020  is scheduled to be rescinded on January 15th. Consistent with Grace Community Church's COVID directives and actions, our Sunday morning service will resume In-house Sunday worship on January 17th at 10:00 AM ONLY.  (We're back to just one service.)

We're looking forward to worshipping together!  

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General Points:

• Our tentative date to resume in-person services is January 17th.

• Currently only one service time at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings with 45 total RSVP’s.

• Per CDC guidelines, there will be no nursery or Graceland classes.

• Masks over the nose and mouth are required everywhere inside the building per the executive order.

• Social distancing indoors, and seating with household members only in the sanctuary.

• We will continue to live-stream to Facebook and our website as we are currently, and then make the services available on Youtube.

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If you would like to attend, please RSVP at www.gccbc.app.rsvpify.com and join us then.   Thank you for your patience as we seek to love God and love others. 

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Update 1/4/2021

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Happy New Year!

We are very hopeful that with the new Health Department Guidelines that are forthcoming soon, 

Grace Community Church will be resuming in-person services within these next couple weeks.

We are all eager to worship together in person!   We will be posting the RSVP site link as soon as possible.

Again, thank you church for your patience and prayers.

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Update 12/20/2020

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We want to let the church know that after much discussion and loving debate / conversation we've decided to have only virtual services through the holidays. Our target date to return in person is currently Jan. 10th.

 

Even though we're very thankful that some things have been reopened, the current MDHHS Order effective December 21st states that “Indoor Gatherings: Are prohibited at non-residential venues.” We are remaining consistent with this guidance. We've been prudently cautious thus far, and although we're eager to get back to worshipping in person consistently, we're going to wait a few more weeks.

 

There is much that we are still doing this Christmas season. In addition to our Sunday morning services, we will be live-streaming a Christmas Eve service at 6pm. Over the next couple Monday nights we'll finish our study of Acts. On Monday, Jan. 4th, the devotion will be on biblical eldership and introduce Dave Wilson and Tim Dilliner as finishing up the process to join the board as elders. For that devotion, we recorded short zoom calls with both Dave and Tim that follows my discussion of biblical church governance.

 

Make sure to continue to reach out to and encourage each other. God is doing amazing things in this unique time. Let’s be the church by being devoted to loving God, loving others, and prayer.

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Update 11/16/2020

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Hello church. Due to the latest Michigan Health Dept Emergency Order MCL 333.2253 (Effective Wednesday November 18, 2020) and consistent with Grace Community Church COVID directives and actions, our next Sunday morning service will be Live Stream Only at 10:00AM until further notice. Please join us online then for worship and praise.
Again, thank you for your patience and prayers during these difficult times as we seek to love God and love others.

Please be safe and we look forward to seeing you soon.

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Update 10/2020  

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Hello church.  During this season of COVID please use our RSVP form for signing up for attendance EACH week.

Please Select only the service you wish to attend.  There are two service options - 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.

Please see guidance points below in our 9-29-2020 update.

Also, for those who are at risk or unable to attend in person, we are continuing our live stream service

which is now at 11:00 AM rather than 10:00AM.

Thank you as we endeavor to love people and love God. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!   

Please click the RSVP link above or click here. 

 

Update 9-29-2020

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Hello Church,

 The Leadership Team is pleased to announce that we are now taking steps to resume gathering in

the building for worship later in October. This decision is the result of the Governors’ latest

executive order 2020-183 that will allow non-residential indoor venues to host social and

organized gatherings with limited seating. This also includes entertainment venues, concert

halls, and theaters. As we desire to continue to follow CDC and governmental

recommendations, we want to keep you updated on the current plans and guidelines.

 

General Points:

• Our initial target date to resume in-person services is October 18th.

• Starting with two services on Sunday mornings with 45 total RSVP’s per service.

• Service Times:9:30–10:15am; 11–11:45am. (Allows for 45 min. cleaning b/w services)

• Initially, per CDC guidelines, there will be no nursery or Graceland classes.

• Masks over the nose and mouth are required everywhere inside the building per the executive order.

• Social distancing indoors, and seating with household members only in the sanctuary.

• We will continue to live-stream as we are currently, and make the services available on Youtube.Live-streaming is planned for the 11:00am service.

 

Some More Specific Points:

• Use of the online RSVP system will be required.Details will be released as we get closer to the date, but in general, the system will be turned on the Monday prior to the Sunday service.

• The names of those who have RSVP’d will be compiled on a check-in sheet for the service.

• Check-in to the service will be required and the normal health related questions answered for every individual.

• Our elders and deacons (who will be the ushers / greeters) will seat congregants and ask that they not rearrange any chairs, as they have been intentionally set up to comply with guidelines.

• Household members will sit together, and social distancing will be expected from anyone of another household while indoors.If you don’t live together, you won’t sit together.

 

There will be more details as we get closer to the date.  Hopefully, this message gives a general idea of the direction we are heading moving forward.  A lot of work is happening behind the scenes to do the best we can to ensure a safe, quality, opportunity to worship together. 

 

As has been said before, in these circumstances, there are no clear-cut, perfect decisions.  We ask for grace as we seek to continue to move forward in a way that trusts and glorifies God, shows love to each other, guards our testimony, and rests confidently upon the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Even though we have not stopped worshipping together, we are excited to be able to gather in a somewhat larger group again.  We look forward to taking this next step together.  The Leadership Team continues to treasure your prayers and support.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Elders and Deacons of GCC

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Update:  8-15-2020

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This Sunday (8-16) we will be our first time doing a truly live service streamed simultaneously on Facebook and our website. The previous services have been recorded and then live streamed on Sunday mornings.

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If you watch the service on Youtube, it will not be available until later Sunday afternoon, as we'll have to upload and publish it after we do it live on Sunday morning.

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Looking forward to worshiping together!

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Update:  6-17-2020

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Just a reminder that Calhoun County is in region 3, and thus in phase 4 of Michigan's reopening plan. Phase 4 limits indoor gatherings to 10. I am not aware of any recommendation which would prohibit gathering in homes together (up to 10) following the guidelines, if people wanted to watch the Sunday morning service and worship together.  Please contact Patrick Lothamer if you would like to either be a host home or join one.

Even though churches have been exempt from punishment for gathering, it is the Leadership Team's desire to see our county move into phase 5 of the reopening plan before we meet together, which would allow indoor gatherings up to 50.

We're looking forward to being able to gather together at the church, in the meantime, let's continue to seek to live in a way that glorifies God, loves our neighbor, and guards our testimony.

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Update:  5-29-2020

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Hello Church,

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As we are all looking forward to worshipping together again in person, the Leadership Team wanted to give a quick update.  It’s important to us that we have a plan that glorifies God, looks out for the well being of our members, and is in compliance with the governmental mandates and recommendations as Scripture instructs.  Having said that, here are some of the things on which we are working:

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• Our cleaning procedures are being evaluated and compared with recommendations.

• We have established a Live-Stream Team that is working on purchasing equipment and creating processes to ensure that when we are able to start meeting again, we’ll still be able to have an online presence for those who will need to stay home.

• Supplies have been ordered and signs are being created that will help us to gather safely.

• We will be reconfiguring the chairs in the sanctuary to promote social distancing.

• We are planning the logistics of having two shorter worship services with time in between to clean on Sunday mornings.We are also working on an online RSVP system to have a better idea of how many are planning to attend each service to help our preparation and volunteer staffing.

 

Obviously, these plans will be subject to change depending on what happens in the upcoming weeks, but we are hoping to be able to gather together again toward the end of June.  There will be some needed changes as we transition back to meeting together.  Based upon safety recommendations and what other churches have implemented and found to work, these are the biggest differences (subject to change):

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• There will be no nursery or Graceland programming initially.

• Two Sunday morning services, with an hour in between, decreasing the size of the crowd.

• Facemasks will only be required for volunteers / greeters, and encouraged for everyone else – particularly while singing.

• We will not be providing coffee or sharing snacks.

 

In these circumstances, there are no clear-cut, perfect decisions.  We ask for grace as we seek to continue to move forward in a way that trusts and glorifies God, shows love to each other, guards our testimony, and rests confidently upon the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Continue to check our website (www.bcgrace.net) and our facebook page for updates.  We’re looking forward to seeing you all again.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

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The Leadership Team at GCC

 

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A couple announcements:

 

1. In addition to the Sunday morning service at 10 am, we'll be doing short (10ish minutes) devotions every Monday and Wednesday evening at 7pm. They will be live-streamed on facebook and posted to our church's Youtube channel shortly thereafter. The Youtube channel link is on website:   Just push the red square with the play icon in it on the top right corner of this page.

 

2. Only because a lot of people are asking: If you desire to give to the church, since we do not have online giving please feel free to mail it to the church address. 9037 Pennfield Rd. Battle Creek MI, 49014

 

 

Notice:

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We are going to ask that the church stay in their own homes this Sunday. We'll live-stream the service here as well as our facebook page during our normal service time. The audio will be posted to our website later, as always.

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To comply with the government's recommendations, all Life-groups have been cancelled. 

 

Life-group leaders are evaluating online options, so keep posted or reach out to your leader for information.

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We are called to love God and to love others. The decision to stay home is based upon our desire to love our neighbor and care for the vulnerable by doing what we can to slow the spread of this virus.

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Be the church. Reach out to friends, family, and church family. See if anyone needs anything. Ask those who are high risk, if we can bring them things so they don't have to go out.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Brad