Update: 6-17-2020
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.
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.
Update: 5-29-2020
Hello Church,
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.
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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.
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Supplies have been ordered and signs are being created that will help us to gather safely.
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We will be reconfiguring the chairs in the sanctuary to promote social distancing.
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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.
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Two Sunday morning services, with an hour in between, decreasing the size of the crowd.
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Facemasks will only be required for volunteers / greeters, and encouraged for everyone else – particularly while singing.
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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.
Soli Deo Gloria,
The Leadership Team at GCC
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Brad