Redeemer Resumes In-Person Worship

Good morning, friends and family!

I’m writing to inform you that the Redeemer Session has decided to return to in-person worship on Sunday, September 6^th. Like most of you, I have also missed being together in the worship of our triune God. I can’t express to you how excited I am to gather in person for worship!

This letter will likely be one of several communications from the church about our re-entry to in-person worship. As you read, please keep in mind that this plan places a high value both on being together and on the safety and care of those who will choose to attend. There is no one plan that is absolutely perfect or one about which everyone will agree. You will also notice that there are some important differences between this plan and our previous return to in-person worship earlier in the summer. Still, I want to assure you that the Session believes this plan is one that balances safety with our commitment to return to in-person worship gatherings.

The New Plan

Starting September 6^th, 2020, Redeemer will conduct two (not three as before) identical worship services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Like before, however, the seating capacity of the congregation will be limited to roughly 180 worshippers in each service. Rather than being selected for a service aligned with your shepherding group, this time worshippers will be required to sign up each week through CCB for the worship service they desire to attend. Once both services reach capacity, sign-ups will close. Consistent with the preceding weeks, the 11:00 a.m. worship service will be live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube and the Redeemer website for those who are unable to attend or who do not desire to gather publicly. The bulletin will also continue to be posted online at redeemersa.org/Live.

One important addition to our plan to return to worship is that the Redeemer nursery will be available for our children up to the age of four. There is limited capacity and sign-up will also be required. It is hoped that a fully staffed nursery will increase the likelihood for some of our members with young children to attend.

As before, Redeemer will forgo Training in the Pews and children and adult Christian Education classes in the morning. Previous safe, social-distancing protocols affecting the practices of seating, the Greeting of Peace, The Eucharist, the Offering and entry and exit of the sanctuary will be continued.

Please keep in mind: All worshippers age 10 and older will be required to wear a mask upon entry and keep it on for the duration of the service. If you do not have a mask, the greeters will provide one for you. If you choose to remove your mask, you will be asked to put it back on.

To learn more about our protocols for a safe return to worship, please consult the updated Guide for Returning to Worship by clicking here.

Our Shared Commitments

As noted previously in earlier communications, though we are returning to gathered worship, things are still far from normal. COVID-19 remains a concern, and it is critical that we conduct ourselves in a way consistent with the grace and mercy shown to us in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s not about any one individual’s perspective or opinion and there is no perfect plan. So, let’s show charity, humility, patience and sacrificial spirits as we move forward and love one another.

In addition to this counsel, your Session specifically asks you to observe the following:

• If you are sick, have chills, sore throat or shortness of breath, are feverish, or have other signs of illness, we ask that you remain at home.
• If you have been directly exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive, we ask that you remain at home until a doctor gives you permission to return to public activities.
• While you are at the downtown facility, we ask that you follow safe social-distancing protocols and refrain from physical contact.
• We are asking that all worshippers who are ten years or older bring a mask to wear during worship or use the one that Redeemer usher/greeters provide.
• When the worship service has concluded, we ask that you exit through the assigned sanctuary doors at the direction of our usher/greeters and immediately depart the building through the assigned exits.
• If you are a member of the at-risk population (defined as those who are 65 or older or those with pre-existing conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; liver disease; or weakened immune system), you are strongly encouraged to remain at home.

In conclusion, I want to express again my excitement about our return to gathered worship. When sign-ups are made available, please take the initiative and plan to be with us. Though things are not ideal, we serve a God who works out his purpose amidst life’s sin, brokenness and ambiguities. We have nothing to fear. So, may the Lord increase our faith and keep growing us in his grace and mercy.

For Christ our Redeemer,