Coming Back to Corporate Worship

September 1 Update

We are grateful and excited to resume corporate worship once again as of Sunday, June 28, 2020.  We know you have questions about what changes to expect as we come back for Sunday service and have tried to anticipate and answer them here.  If you have a question that is not answered below, please email us at info@pacifichope.com.


July 1 Update:

In addition to guidance already in place from government and health agencies, further restrictions have been mandated by the State of California for places of worship as of July 1.  Under the leadership of our Elders, we will observe the current order excluding corporate singing from our service, and will also close the outdoor children’s play area in order to keep our church in civil compliance.  While these are unhappy requirements, we are thankful that their observance allows us to continue meeting.


Our primary desire is to honor the Lord by submitting to each other’s well-being and mitigating the risk of exposing our church family to COVID-19.  Detailed information and sources for our Safe Reopening Plan are available through the links at the bottom of this page.

What to Expect

Question:  How can I decide if I should return to church in person?

Answer:     Please stay home if you have any of the following:

Cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, headache, fever, chills, muscle or body aches, fatigue, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or exposure to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

                                

Consider staying home if you are in a “higher risk” category, defined by the County Health Officer as those over 65 years old, or with a compromised immune system or serious underlying medical condition.

                                

If you are uncomfortable returning under the required conditions, we encourage you to participate via live stream.


See More FAQ's below. . . 

Things You Should Know. . . 

Question:  If I am not able to come back in person, will the service still be available online?

Answer:     Yes, you can still watch the service Sunday at 10:00 am via the Pacific Hope web site:  https://www.pacifichope.com/sermons/live-stream.


Question:  Will childcare be provided during service?

Answer:     No, childcare will not be available for the time being.  Likewise, Sunday School rooms and the Infants and Toddlers rooms will be locked and unavailable in order to minimize possible contamination.

 

Question:  Are face masks/coverings required?

Answer:     Yes, per the Governor’s order issued June 18, face coverings are required for everyone over the age of two, with very limited exceptions (see Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, below).

 

Question:  Will seating provide for social distancing?

Answer:     Yes.  Seating has been redistributed in the Sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall and the large Sunday School room (with the roll-up door).  Video and sound will be livestreamed into each location.  Rows are spaced appropriately, with chairs grouped together for those in the same household only.  Overflow seating is provided outside on the patio area.

 

Question:  Will we have corporate singing?

Answer:     No.  As of July 1, 2020, we will discontinue singing in observance of updated orders from the State of California.


Question:  Will we have communion?

Answer:     Yes, we will resume communion the first Sunday of each month.  Ushers with gloves will distribute individual pre-filled/sealed communion cups with wafers.

 

Question:  What measures are in place for disinfecting common areas?

Answer:     Designated lobby security will clean and disinfect frequently touched areas in bathrooms and common areas once service has started, in addition to weekly cleaning and disinfecting each Saturday.


Question:  Is hand sanitizer provided, or should I bring my own?

Answer:     Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the facility, in addition to plenty of soap and water in the bathrooms.  We encourage people to wash their hands frequently and use sanitizer after touching their faces.  You may bring your own hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol content. 

 

Question:  Will the Fellowship Hall be open after service?

Answer:     No, we will not have our usual gathering or Hospitality service in the Fellowship Hall for the time being.  We welcome you to fellowship outdoors on the patio after service, observing required social distance.

 

Question:  Will there be refreshments, including coffee, tea or water?

Answer:     Due to stringent requirements for food service, we will NOT be serving any refreshments for the time being.  Please DO BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE, as the drinking fountain and water cooler must be closed, per guidelines.

 

Question:  May I bring my own food for fellowship after service?

Answer:     Again, because of the strict mandates on food service, no outside food will be allowed in the building.  The kitchen will be locked so please don’t plan to store anything there or in the refrigerator.  Any food you bring should be left in your car and saved for fellowship outdoors after service.


Question:  Will the outdoor play area be open for children?

Answer:      As of 7/1/2020, the outdoor play area is closed.  


Question:  May I check out books from the library or purchase books at the Information Booth?

Answer:     For the time being, the library will be closed, per State guidelines.  Likewise, no book sales or monetary transactions will be conducted at the Information booth.  If you wish to tithe via a credit card, please do so from the Giving page on our web site.


Question:  Will there be limits on how many people are allowed inside?

Answer:     Yes, we have limited our indoor seating arrangements according to State requirements.  Ushers will seat people with appropriate distancing.

 

Question:  How will attendance be managed?

Answer:     We have implemented an RSVP system so we know what to expect and can plan for the number of adults and children attending each week.

 

Question:  What if more people attend than are allowed inside?

Answer:     Outdoor seating with video and audio will be provided to accommodate overflow as much as possible. (If you are seated outside, you will still have access to bathrooms.)

 

Question:  How can I bring my tithes/offerings on Sunday?

Answer:     Instead of passing offering plates, please drop your offering into the offering box located on each side of the sanctuary exit.  Of course, you may continue to use other methods of giving you may have started using during the past months.  No credit card or monetary transactions will be conducted at the Information Booth.  If you wish to tithe via credit card, please do so from the Giving page on our web site.




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