While health risks certainly have not ended, God has certainly shown mercy on us even in the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It may be many more months before it’s wise for all of us to participate in things like congregational singing or passing an offering plate, but as more people are gaining immunity and case counts have dropped we are ready to begin another phase of reopening.
This new phase of reopening includes activities critical to fulfilling our mission of loving God, loving each other, and loving our world through worship, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship:
allowing fellowship and worship on Sunday evenings--in person and at church
allowing the sharing of food as safely as possible during our fellowship times, even indoors
resuming regular outreach ministries that break down barriers to the gospel through sports
We do not advise you to pursue these activities against medical advice.
As of March 10 South Carolina’s number of COVID-19 cases had fallen dramatically in the last few weeks, even as vaccinations began. scdhec.gov/covid19/sc-testing-data-projections-covid-19, accessed 10 March 2021.
Upcoming Sunday PM Schedule
We are excited to resume in-person PM services on March 14 with an Irish concert from Coffey Ministries. This will start one final time at 5:30 PM. Beginning the following week, that start time will change.
March 21 we’ll celebrate Communion together and our Sunday PM service start time will change to 5:00 PM. This new start time will allow more time for fellowship after our evening services. The service will also include a brief business meeting for two missions support items approved by our missions committee and deacons..
March 28 our classes and small groups will help choose songs for another Singspiration.
April 4 is Easter Sunday. We will celebrate the Resurrection in the morning service and will hold a prayer service at 5:00 PM.
April 11 we begin a new series of life classes--our first since 2019. We will still have a regular preaching service in the auditorium, and a life class will be offered for children. After a time of singing and announcements all together in the auditorium, children and interested adults will be dismissed to life classes.
Church Activities
Fellowships may include food again. If your church group would like to hold a fellowship at the church, please see our updated Activity Request Form at morningside.org/church-life. If you would like to serve food, we will ask about what health precautions you are taking. Note that we are still not ready to host private events and outside groups. Some of the exciting events volunteers are already planning, though, include Women’s Bible Study and monthly Morningside Seniors fellowships.
Physically Distanced Seating (Room 107)
We’re thankful our auditorium attendance has risen so much, but we are also glad to continue offering seating in Room 107. Beginning March 14, no seating with confirmed distance will be available in the auditorium itself. This will help us make sure we don’t turn away guests but will also help our staff and volunteers confirm distanced seating more effectively. In addition to our distanced seating in 107, a new internet service contract we’ve just entered should allow our livestream broadcasts to improve even more in the near future.
We continue to pray for our church family, and our staff is reaching out personally each week to as many as we can. We are thankful to worship together in person and online and for the opportunity to pursue our mission of loving God, loving each other, and loving our world. If you have a prayer request for us, please let us know.