PDF Copy of Pastor Jason’s Letter
August 19, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Fall semester is upon us: the school year has started for many, children’s extracurricular activities are in full swing, students are returning to campus, and our church is beginning its full slate of ministries. As we enter the Fall semester together, our desire to be good witnesses to our neighbors and a commitment to in-person corporate worship continues. These remain high priorities for the leadership of the church; we also know it remains important to you. We want you to know clearly that we are listening to you and have been united with you in prayer as we enter into all the decisions before us.
We have decided to alter the two service times on Sunday mornings beginning August 29. The first service will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the second service at 10:30 a.m. The evening service will remain at the regular 6:00 p.m. We will also continue to livestream these services (10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.), though we encourage you to attend in-person if you are able.
As was communicated before the summer months, our hope and intention was to return to no or limited health protocols this Fall. We have decided to remain on that path with our ministries, activities, the evening service, and second morning service. However, we will maintain the first morning service as a mask required service (in the sanctuary and nursery) with social distancing. After much prayer and discussion with many in the congregation, this decision affords the greatest opportunity to care for our membership with health issues and concerns for the coming weeks or months. As your pastor I have been especially blessed over these past couple of weeks to hear many express a desire for the Session to make this or a similar decision out of care and concern for their brothers and sisters who attend the earlier service. Thank you for seeking to love and serve one another well.
We look forward to seeing how the Lord works in us and through us for His glory in these upcoming months. As we have discussed over the past couple of weeks, let’s continue seeking fellowship and hospitality as we seek to Glorify Christ and Grow in Grace together.
By His Grace,
Pastor Jason Helopoulos on behalf of the Session of University Reformed Church
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