Hey Friends,

This coming Sunday, July 19, we will begin to welcome a limited number of people back to 1717 Broadway for in-person worship. This is a week-to-week trial as we continue to put the safety of our people first and gain wisdom from our medical professionals. In addition to the reduced numbers that can safely gather in our space, we realize in this season that it is not wise or possible for many of us to come to worship at 1717 Broadway. There is no expectation by council or pastors about your return to in-person worship. Wherever you find yourself, you are a part of us, a community bound together by the triune God. We know that God covers us all with grace as we work to figure this out, and we appreciate your prayers and patience as we walk this road together.

For this Sunday, the 19th of July, we will have a limited SIGN UP for those who wish to be present for in-person worship. That number will be capped at 25. The sign up will close at 8pm on Saturday. If there is a waiting list, those who are on the list will have first opportunity for the next available opportunity. As we begin to welcome people, here are a few policies and procedures you should know as you come back to worship:

Before you sign up or arrive:

  • We encourage those who are in vulnerable populations (elderly, immuno-compromised) or those who have traveled in the last two weeks to stay home. We will see you on the live stream!
  • Check your temperature. If you are running a fever (Temperature 100.4 or greater) or are feeling ill in any way, please stay home and help protect one another. THESE are the symptoms of COVID-19 provided by the CDC.
  • Please stay home if you have had close or household contact in the last 14 days with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19  (Close contact is being within 6 feet for >15 minutes, excluding those in a healthcare setting wearing proper PPE.)
  • Bring your mask. Masks are required in the building. If you do not have one, we have disposable masks on site for you. Per CDC guidelines, children under 2 years of age are not required to wear a mask.

When you arrive:

  • Please enter the building through the narthex entrance only, masks on. We will have the doors open for you. Please leave the upper parking lot available for those who may need to navigate our building without the use of stairs.
  • There will be no printed bulletin for the time being. The order of worship will be projected and you are welcome to download the liturgy from the website or print it at home and bring your own copy.
  • We will be filling our sanctuary from the center aisle, only using the pews marked with green paper in order to make sure that we can maintain social distancing. We will have people on hand to make sure you can find a seat.
  • We will removing everything from the pews, including Bibles and hymnals. So, if you desire to follow along the sermon with a Bible, plan to bring yours from home.

During the Service:

  • Wear your mask.
  • You may bring forward your offering when you come forward for communion. There will be a plate at the front of the sanctuary by the communion table.
  • We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion by coming forward in small groups (as a family or individuals). An usher will direct you when to come forward, helping us to keep a good distance from one another. Each person or family will receive a piece of bread and individual cup from a pastor or elder and take that bread and individual cup and eat and drink. Then, they will place their cup in a receptacle. Hand sanitizer will be made available by the receptacle.

Other helpful reminders

  • In order to help our custodian, with sanitation processes, we ask that you please limit your movements to the sanctuary and, if necessary, the upstairs restrooms.
  • There will be no nursery or Children-In-Worship ministry during this time.
  • There will be no coffee hour during this time.
  • We will have multiple hand sanitizing stations throughout the building.

When you Leave:

  • We will dismiss you from the back of the sanctuary to the front of the sanctuary by row. Please exit the building through the doors in the narthex only.
  • Please don’t linger for fellowship in the building. If you desire to connect with others, please do so outside, while socially distanced.

At Home Communion Information

We are one body who serve one Lord, Jesus Christ together. As we begin to celebrate communion at the AACRC again we want to offer some additional information about at-home communion. In addition to the limited numbers that can safely gather in our space, we realize in this season that it is not wise or possible for many of us to come to worship at 1717 Broadway. Yet, this does not make us less a part of the body of Christ.

Therefore, we are providing the option of at-home communion element delivery so you can celebrate the sacrament with us using the same loaf and same cup on Sunday mornings during the service. If you SIGN UP, a volunteer will drop off bread and juice for you (and as many people you need it for) at your place of residence sometime on Saturday. The bread and cup will be prepared at church ahead of time (by an individual wearing gloves and face covering). If you are uncomfortable coming in contact with the volunteer, you may request a no contact drop off in the additional information box on-line and the volunteer will leave it where you request it.

If you have any questions, you may reach out to Rachel Redder, one of the pastors or your shepherding Elder. We look forward to sharing the sacrament together!