Mother's Day

 Church family, the board, after due consideration, has voted in favor of holding church services on Sunday May 10^th for Mother’s Day.  We will take every precaution to avoid personal contact, provide and encourage the wearing of masks, and practice social distancing. Details will follow.

While we recognize that many of you are eager to again assemble as a church family, some of you are concerned and would prefer to stay home at this point. I want you to know that I support your decision either way. The message will again be videotaped during the service, and posted Sunday afternoon soon after church so you will be able to have a ‘Sunday Evening video Worship’ with FCC Wylie if you choose not to come in the morning.

Guidance for the opening of churches across the state was given in Governor Abbott’s executive order GA-18, issued on April 27, 2020.  Under this guidance we are proposing the following steps be taken:

·         Only church services will be conducted.  Sunday School will not meet until further notice.

·         Ensure proper spacing between attendees: (6 feet social distancing, wearing masks (Bruce Moilan has provided a supply which will be on the table to your left as you enter, in case you don’t have one)

·         Keep at least two empty seats (or six feet separation) between parties in any row, except as follows:

o   Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet     separation) empty on either side.

§  We will place a piece of painter’s masking tape on the ends of the pews indicating where congregants may sit.  In order to seat as many as possible while keeping to the guidelines for social distancing. Rows will be marked according to the following schema on each side of the sanctuary:

*        Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc., sit to the left end of the pew

*        Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc., sit to the right end of the pew

Health protocols for your employees and volunteers:

     ·         Have employees or volunteers maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals. If such distancing is not             feasible, then other measures including face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation             should be rigorously practiced.

·         Consistent with the actions taken by many churches, congregations, and places of worship across the state,         consider having employees, volunteers, and attendees wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). If         available, they should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks.

 We are suggesting that we wear, at minimum, cloth face masks.  Hand sanitizer will be available as will wipes.

 The Governor’s guidance suggests that those in our congregation most at risk may want to attend our online service or be separated from the rest of the congregation in the adult classroom that opens to the rear of the piano.

 We will follow Health protocols for our facilities: (To be carried out Saturday 10:30 am)

·         Regularly and frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, and         restrooms.

·         Disinfect seats between services.

·         Disinfect any items that come into contact with attendees. (Hymnbooks, for example) See note below about communion and offering.

·         Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available.

·         Place readily visible signage to remind everyone of best hygiene practices.

We are suggesting that a small group meet at the church on Saturday the 9^th at 10:30 AM to sanitize the sanctuary and restrooms.  No more than five (5) should participate.  Again, this is to ensure the social distancing requirements.

 The Fellowship Hall will be closed with signage in place.

Communion:

We have self-contained units, i.e., wafer and juice in a sealed two-part container to be opened by the participant, that will be placed in the cup holders in the back of each pew.  Don will give directions during Communion in the service.

 Offering:

The offering plates will not be passed.  Two plates will be placed at the back for offering.  There is also the ability to give on line at our website.

Responsive reading: From Hymnbook, will be announced.

Scripture: 1 Samuel1:1-28                                              Message: “Hannah and The Purpose of Problems”

Hannah is one of the great examples of motherhood in Scripture. As we examine her life today, we will better understand the purpose of problems, including those we are facing in these challenging times.

I.               Where do our problems come from? For one thing, we live in a fallen world. What would God allow or even cause problems? The key is, can we trust Him even as we face difficulties.

II.              What are we to do with our problems? Hannah did that we sometimes forget to do; she prayed. She poured out her heart to God, and she made a promise as to how she would respond if God answered her prayer. 

III.             How should we focus our prayers? Off on our focus is, God supply my needs, or even my desires. The goal of Hannah's prayer was to glorify God through the son she was asking Him to give her.

IV.            What should be our response when our prayers are answered? Hannah provides the example. She kept her vow to God, giving Him her son Samuel. She worshiped, and she prays to God in prayer.

May the Lord bless and protect us as we gather to worship Him, give thanks for our mothers and lift up each other and our nation and world in prayer.

Don Hawkins, D. Min                                                                                                                              Interim Pastor