Outdoor Worship Update
Outdoor Worship Instructions:
Friends,
This Sunday marks the next big step in our “Reopen Prospect” process as we launch our outdoor worship services. Prospect has a wonderful sanctuary, but it’s hard to beat the view we’ll all have for outside worship in front of our beautiful church building!
I know this is a lot…but we want to take everyone’s safety very seriously:
- Outdoor / parking lot worship will begin this Sunday June 7th at 9:30 am (and will continue at least until we reach Phase 4 and are allowed to begin to gather inside with groups of up to 75).
- If you want to sit outside your vehicle, please bring your own lawn chairs and face masks (umbrellas for shade if desired; a portable radio if wanted).
- The first 20 feet in front of our worship leadership team (who will be standing on a trailer to improve visibility) will be dedicated to those who want to sit outside their vehicles. The grassy areas around the church will also be available for lawn chair seating. On a personal preference note, the blacktop gets hot during the course of the day. This shouldn’t be a problem at 9:30, but the grassy areas could be cooler.
- We are asking everyone to enter the church parking lot through the West entrance (closest to the parsonage). You may form two lines as you enter. Our parking lot team (in yellow reflective vests) will greet you at the end of our entrance lanes to help direct you to appropriate parking spaces.
- If you plan to sit outside, you will be directed to park along the periphery of the church (North parking spots, East parking spots by Central Park and (if necessary) behind the church). Ideally, we will have you park in every other space. This will allow you to get out of your vehicle with 6 feet pf separation from your neighbor. As these rows fill up, and those in the cars clear out, we will fill in the remaining spots of each row. Those planning to sit outside may also park at Dunlap Grade School and walk over, but would not be able to receive bulletins, communion elements (next Sunday), etc. from our parking lot team leaders.
- Those who plan to remain in their vehicles will be directed to park in front of the main entrance doors. An additional group of volunteers will help get these cars into desired spots. Our painted parking spots run East-West, and everyone in the lot will be facing North-South, so this will take some getting used to. Our parking lot volunteers will direct vehicles to positions to optimize visibility.
- If you want to sit outside but need a handicapped parking spot, we will work to accommodate you. If you plan to remain in your vehicle, this shouldn’t be an issue.
- We have portable speakers in place to project sound throughout the parking lot and grassy areas. You may also listen to the service by tuning to 88.9 FM on your vehicle or portable radio. Thanks to James Frye’s technical expertise, everything should be broadcast simultaneously through both the FM transmitter and portable speaker system.
- Don’t plan to show up right at 9:30. It will take some time to get everyone situated.
- Our parking lot volunteers will hand out bulletins to the songs we’ll be singing. Song lyrics will also be provided via email each week, so you may print your own copies or view them on your mobile device (and eliminate contact with these volunteers). On communion Sundays, these volunteers will also pass out communion cups as you enter.
- If you plan to sit outside, only those who live in the same household (or those who are in “regular daily contact”) may sit within 10 feet of one another. Everyone sitting outside, or with the windows of their vehicles open, should wear a mask. The 10-foot guideline is required as a provision for “the larger than normal vapor cloud created in the act of singing,” even when wearing a mask. Worship leaders will remain 20+ feet from those in attendance and will also wear masks when not in the actual act of speaking or singing.
- The restrooms nearest the church offices/fellowship hall will be available, but use of the bathroom facilities is not encouraged. If you use the bathroom, please use proper sanitization procedures. A volunteer will be stationed to help open the door for those needing to use the bathroom.
- All vehicles are being asked to leave the parking lot via the East exit lane (closest to the water tower). Our parking lot volunteers will dismiss cars, beginning with the rows closest to the church building and moving backward. It will be difficult to leave your parking spot early (i.e. during the worship service).
- Online giving and giving by mail are still being encouraged, but there will be a station where you may leave your offering as you depart the parking lot.
- We will still be offering our online worship opportunity (for the foreseeable future). No one should feel obligated to attend our in-person, parking lot service. If you decide to worship at home, you may choose to start inviting friends to join you, now that we have entered Phase 3 of our state/church reopening process, for a more communal experience. Those who attend the parking lot service may keep their windows closed for the duration of the service to eliminate any/all possibility of sharing germs with other attendees. The FM signal will allow you to hear everything even with your windows closed.
- All in attendance are asked to refrain from social interactions that violate the state/bishop’s order on safe distancing. In fact, we are asking everyone to leave the church property without social interaction. Of course, you may choose to gather elsewhere after leaving the church facility. (Don’t shoot the messenger!)
- Please share your prayer requests with Pastor Steve AND the church office (Dani) before 9:00 on Friday mornings so that they may be included in both the online worship service and Sunday morning service. We will not be receiving “prayers and concerns” during the parking lot service.
- Parents: Please keep your children with you at all times. We want to help them practice safe social distancing and want to avoid any dangerous situations with vehicles moving in and out of the parking lot. The nursery will NOT be open during our outdoor worship services.
I know this is a lot…and I’ve probably missed something. But we want to get this right!
We’ll grow into this process, as in all things, amidst our “new normal.”
Remember 88.9 FM on your vehicle or portable radio.
I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
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Pastor Steve