Register for In-Person Worship in September 

1. Regathered Worship

Targeted for September 13

During this pandemic, love of neighbor requires careful planning. Because we love God, we want to offer worship that brings our very best. Because we love our neighbors, we want to do everything we can to make sure we bring no harm to anyone when we gather. 

To that end, worship in our initial phase of regathering will look different from what we have experienced before, but as always, it will be based out of our theological principals to love God and love one another. 

In this regathering phase, Sunday morning worship will be limited to 150 participants and will require advanced registration. Since congregational singing is unwise at present, we have re-imagined the order of worship to include special music selections to help facilitate our corporate worship as well as spoken word, prayer, creed, and the proclaimed word of God. It will be different, but it will be rich and discipling! 

Should we continue to meet the metrics established by the Session and we are able to regather on September 13, here are the protocols that will be in place upon entering the Sanctuary: 

1. Masks required for ages 5 and up, recommended from ages 2-5 
2. Social distancing observed outside of family units, with every other pew roped off 
3. Refrain from congregational singing due to increased potency of viral spread that is not offset by mask wearing 

None of these safety limits inhibit Christians from offering vital and vibrant worship. They simply impinge on ways we have grown most accustomed to worship over time. After all, we do not have to sing, speak loudly, or even be close to each other to worship "in spirit and in truth." We can look at the limits we have as barriers, blocking access to some of our familiar pathways. But we can also look at them as challenges which, with the Spirit's empowerment, may become a spring of creativity and spiritual formation. 

Following corporate worship, you will have the opportunity to join an elder-led breakout group to discuss questions flowing out of our sermon together. Our hope is that these groups will offer times for deeper scriptural engagement, form intentional communities within the broader community, and offer space for prayer and spiritual care. These groups are designed to be intergenerational and will be welcoming communities for people of all ages and stages. 

You can register for in-person worship during September HERE.

2. Welcome Kara Powell, Guest Preacher

September 6

Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences.  Kara is the author or co-author of a number of books including Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, 18 Plus, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.

3. Poinsettia Planting to Support Brookwood

Wednesday, September 9, 8:30 a.m.-2:30

Grace is looking for 20 volunteers to help plant poinsettias at the Brookwood community. During the early COVID shut down, CDC guidelines would not allow their citizens to do the regularly scheduled poinsettia planting. These plants are a vital revenue stream for Brookwood during Christmas so they need volunteers to help with planting. Beth Craig will take a team of 20 to Brookwood, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:30 am-2:30 pm. Box lunches are available for $10, or you may bring your lunch. Please email bcraig@gpch.org if you would like to come and serve.

Where are the Rest of the Announcements?

Simply click on each button below to read all the respective Gather, Connect, and Bless announcements. Gather entries feature information about worship services, giving opportunities, and leadership news. Connect entries focus on ministry groups and events for Adults, Children, and Students. Finally, Bless entries offer ways for members to serve our communities.