Ayden United Methodist Church

Since March we’ve been in some uncharted waters together and we were bound to run up on some rocks at some point. Apparently, we’ve reached the shallow water.

This week when I went to upload the sermon video from worship I found that it hadn’t recorded any audio, essentially leaving us with a silent movie of me waving my arms around for fifteen minutes. No one needs to see that. Last week, a similar problem presented itself and I re-recorded a sermon later.

All of this takes a lot of time and resources. I have been using my mobile phone to produce and upload sermons each week for the past six months which was always intended as a short term solution, but it seems we need to think further into the future.

The uncertainty of this pandemic has invited us to worship together in new ways. Video sermons have been a big part of that and, if the number of views tells me anything, it’s that when we combine in-person worshipers with online worshipers – more people than ever are worshiping with us each week than anytime in the last ten years!

That’s good news!

It also presents a challenge because it means that in order to sustain this ministry we need to invest into the technology to make it really work (instead of relying on my phone each week). In order for us to record, produce and upload a good quality video each week, we need to upgrade our current A/V equipment.

This upgrade will come at a cost of about $1700 but it will allow us to effectively capture and upload the worship service each week with the possible future goal of streaming the service online live.

We have been blessed to maintain our current ministries and to navigate these strange times as a church on strong financial footing, but an expense like this above and beyond ministry as usual. If this sounds important to you, and you feel led to help support our pivot to engaging in this new ministry, any contribution helps (please note “video” on subject line if mailing checks).

Thanks for your prayers, support, and patience as we navigate these new waters together.

Grace and peace,

Jim

Since mid-March we have been operating under conditions none of us could have imagined. From worshiping virtually to gathering outside, the Spirit has given us open and flexible hearts to be the Body of Christ even while we have been physically distanced from one another. While we are certainly continuing to monitor the disturbing resurgence of COVID-19, and taking steps to ensure the health and well-being of everyone in our community, this Sunday will mark one more step toward normal for us.

This Sunday, July 5, we will gather for worship indoors together again at one service at 11 am.

We will follow the following protocols:

• Masks are required. This is a state executive order, but it is also a way to show our love for God by exercising care for others.
• No more than 60 individuals in the sanctuary at one time (including the balcony).
• Physical distancing will be followed. Family groups may sit together, but are asked to maintain at least six feet of distance between groups
• We will avoid singing at this time. The service has been adapted to include instrumental music, but will forgo hymns and sung responses
• We will collect tithes and offerings in a lock-box rather than passing plates.
• The sermon will be recorded and posted on YouTube on Sunday afternoon.

While these adaptations may still feel a little odd, they are necessary at this time to ensure that we can worship together safely and we thank you for your cooperation.

 

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Pastor Jim

This Sunday, June 26, we will re-open the sanctuary and return to indoor worship. Some things will feel very familiar. Others will be a little different.

The reality is that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and in order to care for one another we are instituting several temporary protocols to help us gather safely. These protocols are as follows:

• We will hold two identical services meeting at 10 am and 11 am. We encourage those older than 60 or those with additional health concerns to attend the early service and families with children and younger people to attend the later service.
• We will observe a one-way traffic pattern with one entrance and one exit.
• Pews will be marked to help aid in physical distancing.
  • Pews will hold roughly one family unit OR two couples OR two individuals
  • We can accommodate a maximum of 45 worshipers.
• Between services we will be cleaning and disinfecting the sanctuary
• We encourage all worshipers to wear face masks.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance/exit
• There will be no congregational singing, children’s time, greeting time or offering collection during the service.
  • CDC and Church guidance points to congregational singing as a major point of transmission.
  • Offering will be collected in a secure drop-box located in the narthex.
• Worshipers are required to practice physical distancing throughout the service, including sitting in the pews as well as entering and exiting the sanctuary
• Worshipers are encouraged to stay home if they are sick. Sermons will continue to be available on our web page at this time.

While we know this will be an evolving situation and we will continue to adapt and change these practices, but we are hopeful that with these slow steps we can begin to return to something that looks and feels a little more “normal” as a congregation.

 

An Order for Evening Praise June 14, 2020

Welcome and Invocation

 

     Leader:      As a father receives a returning wayward son,

     All:         so God welcomes us, and lets the past be past.

     Leader:      Therefore let us praise God in thanksgiving that we are received,

     All:         and let us receive and welcome one another in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

Opening Prayer

     O God, though you are enthroned in heaven we may draw near to you for you have walked upon the earth where we humans dwell. We see your compassion in Jesus. We know your will by his teaching and your love through his sacrifice. Teach us that we belong to you, that you belong to us and that you are enough. Amen.

 

Hymn:   “Blessed Assurance”

 

Confession and Pardon

 

Gloria Patri

 

Prayers of the People

 

Offerings of Thanksgiving (Doxology)

 

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

 

Sermon:  Sarah Laughed

 

Hymn:   “My Hope is Built”

 

Dismissal with blessing