COVID-19 Updates

November 20, 2020 Update

Several weeks ago, I announced on behalf of the elders our ministry reopening plans. I shared that we would monitor the situation but that we fully expected we would need to make changes based on changing circumstances in our community and church.

As you know, there have recently been significant increases in COVID infections across the country and here in the Metroplex. But, more importantly, we have also seen a significant increase of cases in our church family. At our meeting last night, the elders made three important changes to limit further spread within our church during this holiday season.

1. From now until December 5, all ministries and events, including Sunday Services, will be virtual only. The next two Sundays, November 22 and 29, there will be one Sunday morning service via livestream only at 10:45. Because of Thanksgiving, the church calendar is already light. By canceling a few events and moving others to virtual only, we can effectively create a two-week church reset.
2. There will be no evening worship services in December. Although that means canceling the Christmas Concert, we hope to include much of the music planned for the concert in our morning service(s) on December 13 or at other times throughout the holidays.
3. There will be no Sunday School through December. In the event we resume in-person worship before the end of the year, we will not resume Sunday School since we already had planned to take several weeks off during the holidays. We may resume classes for younger children.

If current trendlines continue, it may be necessary for our Sunday services to be livestream only through December. The elders will weigh the latest information by early December and make that decision. At that time, we will also consider whether to continue some ministries for youth, college, and young adults through the end of the year, given their lower risk.

Regarding our Thanksgatherings this Sunday evening, we encourage you to gather with your family or those with whom you already regularly interact. It will be a wonderful time of giving thanks to our Lord in singing, Scripture reading, sharing together, and prayer. A video to help facilitate the time will be available at www.countrysidebible.org/thanksgatherings and on the Countryside YouTube channel.

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Worship Center drive-through on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22 from 1-4 pm, and on Monday, Nov. 23 from 9-11 am.

Thank you for your understanding and support of these difficult decisions. Please pray for the wonderful spirit of unity we enjoy to remain strong and for wisdom for the elders as we seek to navigate these unusual days.

In Christ,

Tom Pennington
Pastor-Teacher