EASTER, APRIL 4, 2021
indoor worship service in our sanctuary at 10:30am.
Please read thoroughly so we can ensure everyone understands the requirements.
We are EXCITED!
*Online worship content will still be produced weekly*
What Heritage is doing…
1.Temperature checks (forehead scan) before entering.
2.Cleaning frequently touched surfaces before and after services.
3.Removing all items from pew pockets. Hymnals will be available on a table in Narthex for pickup before the service (they will be sanitized after each use).
4.Sectioning off pew seating (6 feet distances) and every other pew is roped off. We will be sitting in a checkerboard fashion with one empty pew in-between. Black tape will mark where not to sit.
5.Provide hallway directional signs on floor to help navigate walking patterns.
6.The HVAC system will have the fan turned on. Our intention is to have air circulating at all times.
7. Hand sanitizer stations & personal hand sanitizer bottles available for pick up in Narthex.
we are asking you to…
1. Enter through the sanctuary entrance or the office entrance doors only.
2. Wear a mask at all times indoors. Note: worship leaders will not wear a mask when leading.
3. Keep 6 feet distance upon entering and exiting
4. Sit in designated areas of the sanctuary only (hint: only sit on yellow. Ropes will block closed rows and black tape will separate pews in 6-foot increments).
5. Have no contact (handshakes, hugs, etc.) with anyone (we know this is hard!).
6. Please avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose
7. Stay home when sick
8. Stay home if you have an active cough
9. We will dismiss row by row and ask everyone to file outside to the circle to talk. Please sit in the back of the sanctuary if you are in a hurry to dismiss.
Ask yourself these questions before coming:
a. Have I the last 14 days have I had contact with anyone under the suspicion or tested positive for Covid-19?
b. Do I or someone that I have had close contact within the last 14 days have any symptoms including: Fever? Shortness of breath? Cough? Loss of tasted or smell?
c. Have I traveled out of the country in the last 14 days?
d. Am I a healthcare worker that has been within 6 ft of a patient suspected or confirmed Covid-19 without personal protective equipment?
e. If any are answered “yes” we ask that you utilize our online service only.
FAQ
What about the kids? Great question! We plan to open the large chapel doors dividing the sanctuary and chapel so kids have an area to spread out. This will be a quiet play area for kids 4 and under. Each child 5+ will have the option of receiving a Busy Bag with activities. In addition, the Children’s Sermon will be in the choir loft with specific spots for seating.
Will we do the handshake/passing-of-the-peace?
No. We are asking that there be no contact.
Will we pass the offering plates?
No. You can continue to give online by clicking here or mail checks to the church.
Will we be passing the communion trays and/or receiving communion elements?
Not at this time. The plan right now is to do this at dedicated communion services with individualized communion cups/bread.
Will outside groups be using the sanctuary now too?
Initially, no. Only Heritage Baptist Church will be using the sanctuary area. Upon evaluation, our trustees and leadership teams will make a call about opening to our sister churches. To be clear, HBC will be the only ones in the sanctuary area each week. We will share updates when this changes.
Will online services still be available?
Yes! We do plan to produce a digital service for the foreseeable future. We will also be experimenting with our video capabilities for Sunday worship (this is still in early planning stages).
Will we be meeting indoors/in-person every Sunday?
This is our hope. We will continue to monitor state, county, and city COVID rates and make decisions accordingly. Presently, we are able to meet at 50% capacity. Our sanctuary and chapel areas give us the capability of hosting over 400 people at 100% capacity. Our reduced seating (with spacing, only 30-40% of sanctuary available) will naturally limit the number well below the 50% occupancy requirement.
How long will the service be?
It will be approximately an hour in length. We hope to be starting at 10:30am.
When should I arrive?
We think we can get everyone through one of the four forehead scanners within 15 minutes. Please arrive between 10:10 and 10:15am. We appreciate your patience!
Will there be Sunday School?
Our online Sunday School options will continue. Each class has freedom to select the best time/day for the group. In addition, there are a few new Small Groups that will begin in October. Look for more info in the near future. Not right away. We will be exploring ways to safely do this in the near future. There are online options for Sunday School and upcoming small group options!
Final Words:
Please know, we understand that many people will still feel uncomfortable or unable to attend indoor Sunday worship services. You need to feel ZERO guilt. Each of us has our reasons for the precautions we are taking. This decision comes because of our capability to host in our space and the anticipated numbers give us room to safely spread out.
Watch Short News: “How to come back to indoor worship”
