Charles Town Presbyterian Church

September 16, 2020 Dear Church Family,

Last month, the session agreed to tentatively plan for in-person worship beginning on Sunday, October 4.  That plan is still moving forward. The worship service will also continue to be streamed on Facebook.  As we all know, the Coronavirus has dramatically changed how we do everything, and worship is no exception.  Included in this document (below) are the guidelines unanimously endorsed by the session. 

In-person Sunday School is still on hold.  The session will be monitoring the situation and will determine when it is best to return to in-person Christian education.

We all need to be flexible.  There will be “hiccups” and missteps along the way.  This situation is unlike anything any of us has experienced.  Please be patient as we all figure this out together.

October 4 is World Communion Sunday.  All persons joining us for in person worship are encouraged to bring their own bread, and those who will be worshiping with us virtually will need to have bread and juice ready for that service.

I am looking forward to seeing people in worship.  It has been a long time, and it will be nice to see the church family again!

Blessings,

Pastor John

Please carefully read the following guidelines created by The Worship and Music committee and endorsed by the session: 

Before Worship

Register – Everyone planning on attending worship is asked to notify the church office that they are planning to come (304-725-5316, ctpres@ctpres.org).  We are asking people to register because having to observe social distancing reduces the number of available seats.  Not including the balcony, we have approximately 22 available pews that will accommodate up to seventy people.  Please notify the office no later than noon Thursday if you plan to attend on Sunday.

Do a self-check.  Before leaving for worship on Sunday we invite everyone to take their temperature at home, if possible.  Anyone running a fever, please stay home.  Also, we are asking everyone to review the questions below.  Individuals answering yes to any of the questions should stay home.

• Have you or anyone in your household tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 21 days?
• Have you or anyone in your household had any of the following symptoms in the last 21 days: sore throat, cough, chills, body aches for unknown reasons, shortness of breath for unknown reasons, loss of smell, loss of taste, fever at or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit?
• Have you or anyone in your household traveled to an areas considered a “hot spot” in the past 21 days?
• Have you or anyone in your household traveled on a cruise ship in the last 21 days?
• Have you or anyone in your household cared for an individual who is in quarantine or is a presumptive positive or has tested positive for COVID-19?
• Do you have any reason to believe you or anyone in your household has been exposed to or acquired COVID-19?
• To the best of your knowledge have you been in close proximity to any individual who tested positive for COVID-19?

Worship

Masks.  Please bring a mask from home.  We will provide masks for anyone who forgets theirs.  Masks are required for the duration of the service and the entire time we are in the building.  Anyone who cannot or will not wear a mask is invited to enjoy the service via Facebook Live.

Entering/Exiting.  We will only use the sanctuary doors.  If someone needs to use the elevator, a deacon will be stationed at the parking lot doors to assist.  In order to observe social distance, please arrive with plenty of time to enter in an orderly fashion.  If we all arrive at 10:25, it will be more chaotic.  Doors will be open no later than 10am. When the service ends, we will dismiss by pew, to keep appropriate distance.

Offering.  Upon enter, there will be offering plates available in the narthex for offering.  Of course, online giving or mailing in offerings is still welcome.

Bulletins.  Bulletins will continue to be emailed each week and posted on social media.  Those who are able, should print a copy of the bulletin or bring a digital device on which to follow the order of worship.  This will cut down on the handling of the bulletins (a possible source of transmission). We will place a few bulletins in each of the pews that are being used.

Seating.  We will not all be able to sit where we like.  The property committee has measured carefully, and the pews we cannot sit in will be cordoned off.  This is critical:  ONLY ONE HOUSEHOLD PER PEW.  We can only sit with the people with whom we live, even if we share the same last name.  This will be tough to observe since we consider one another family. If we want to be sure to limit the spread of the virus, we need to strictly adhere to this.  For that reason, we strongly encourage people to stay in their pew, and to avoid the temptation to roam around the sanctuary. People worshiping in the same pew, need to live at the same address.  That might mean some pews have four or five people, and some pews will only have one.

Singing.  Because singing can easily spread the virus, even with masks, there will not be congregational singing, at least initially.  If the guidance on this changes, we will be sure to revisit this part of the decision.  For now, we will attempt to have special music at every service. 

Children.  Children are always welcome at worship.  However, we will not have a nursery/children’s church ministry until it becomes safer.  The nursery will be open for nursing mothers (who may also use the library, if they wish), and if a child has emergency.  Children may not be dropped off at the nursery at this time.  Our nursery worker will be present to assist parents as needed.

The Lord’s Supper.  On the Sundays we observe the Lord’s Supper, congregants are encouraged to bring bread from home (this is actually a very old tradition from the early Church).  Cups of juice will be prepared ahead of time and placed in each pew (with limited contact, of course).

After Worship

Dismissal.  As mentioned earlier, we will be dismissed by pew.  When each pew is dismissed, congregants are expected to exit the sanctuary and return to their vehicles. Sadly, we cannot stand around and linger or visit like we are used to. 

Testing.  If you or anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks of attending a worship service in person, please notify the church office.

Conclusion

This is a fluid situation, and we ask that the congregation be patient.  As we are able, we will relax certain aspects of these guidelines, and work our way toward a more familiar experience.  Until such a time, we all must work together.  These guidelines were crafted with the safety of the congregation as the guiding, most important issue, and we are hopeful the congregation will observe them in a spirit of Christian unity.

And remember, we are still going to be virtual.  We will be going live on Facebook at 10:30am when the service starts.  If you are more comfortable participating from home, please feel free to worship in that way.

The first week of school is officially behind us in Jefferson County. Like the end of last school year, the beginning of this one is like nothing any of us has ever encountered. The end of the 2019-20 school year was hard for my family. My youngest child was in his senior year, and like most seniors, he finished the year with no prom, no awards banquets, no graduation ceremony, not even a party. Nothing. But we rolled with, we found ways to celebrate, we adapted. This school year none of my children are in state-mandated school, so I haven’t had to worry about virtual, in-person, or hybrid. But it is still different. This is the first time in twenty years there is no “first day” picture. It’s hard to say this, but a good thing to come from the pandemic is that not having to choose how my children are educated has made that transition a little easier. I’m adapting.

I can tell you with confidence that all pastors are concerned about this moment in church history. Church attendance nationwide has been in slow decline for some time; all predictors are that the coronavirus is going to hasten the closing of churches in an unprecedented manner. The closures that were expected to take twenty years prior to the pandemic are now expected to take only five.

Here is what that means for every church: If we want to survive, we must adapt.

The good news is that the pandemic has taught us that we have a greater capacity for change than any of us thought possible! Churches all over the country have learned to adapt to technology to deliver virtual worship services and other ministries. We have learned new ways of serving to help people on the margins. We’ve tolerated masks and less contact to connect people to Christ.

Who knows how long it will take to be free of the virus (notice, I did not say, “…get back to normal.”). But when that day comes, and we start looking forward at what’s next for our church, we will need to be flexible. We will like some of what we need to do, and some of it will be new and, therefore, uncomfortable. We may have to learn new ways of doing old things. But we will adapt.

There is an uncomfortable moment in the book of Acts, where the apostle Paul and Barnabas have such a strong disagreement, that they part ways. That could have meant the end of both of their ministries. Instead, they adapted, and the Church grew.

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:39-41

Blessings,
Pastor John

Dear Friends,

School starts in Jefferson County next week. Like most people across the country, we are watching this carefully. If students can re-enter successfully, with little or no virus incidence, this will help shape how we do other activities while we await a vaccine for COVID-19, including church.

Training children in the faith is an important part of child’s education, and the COVID virus has made it hard for our family ministry to continue in the traditional manner. As we begin the school year, I’m happy to share a resource for parents and grandparents. The Christian curriculum company David C. Cook has free resources families can access at home.

You can access the main David C. Cook website here. If you scroll down to the box that says, “Free Resources,” you’ll find a list of helpful tools that can be used at home. I have looked through these, and I am particularly fond of Eight Lessons, which focuses on characteristics of God. Thirteen Lessons at Home focuses on thirteen different people Jesus interacted with in his ministry. I also think the family prayer resource is a great tool.

I wish I could tell you exactly when we plan to resume children’s ministry, but that would be dishonest. Until we are certain social distancing can be maintained, and that the church isn’t inadvertently a source of the virus, we need to put Sunday School on hold. We can spread out in the sanctuary, not so much in the classrooms. However, we also don’t want to ignore the fact that our children need to be trained. Long ago, before churches took on the responsibility of shaping the faith of their children, that discipleship happened at home.

These resources for which I’ve provided links can be modified in whatever way works best for your family. I encourage those who use it to make it fun and enjoyable. It would be ideal to review one lesson each week. These moments might prove to be extremely important in the lives of the children and it may create some amazing memories! And don’t worry about having all the answers. An honest, “I don’t know,” can sometimes inspire greater confidence than having the answers.

The Discipleship and Family Ministry team would appreciate hearing feedback from those who use these resources. Please share your experience via email at familyministry@ctpres.org.

Blessings,
Pastor John

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38,39

Consider what has transpired in the last six months:

• COVID-19. Aside from the infection and mortality rates, this disease has impacted just about every part of our lives in some way.
• Racial Inequality. We clearly have much to do on this issue.
• The Democrats and Republicans held their conventions. The race for president is on, and if the ugliness to date is any indicator, it will be get mean. Sadly.
• Hurricane Laura pummeled the coast of Louisiana and Texas.

There have been many other stressors, and this doesn’t even cover the day to day issues each of us deals with. There is no doubt about it, life has been harder for most of us in 2020. I suspect it may even get harder. Millions of people are unemployed. That always impacts homelessness and the number of people who are food insecure. That, in turn, raises the level of stress even more.

If ever there was a time to be seeking God, it is now.

As we do that, we need to remember that God has not left us, we have not been abandoned. As Romans 8 reminds us, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ – not pandemics, natural disasters, politicians, skin color or anything else! We must never forget this. Some days, as it feels like everything around us is crashing down, all we can say is, “At least I know God loves me,” and that, friends, may be all we need to get through today. Maybe even to get through all of this.

As we prepare to send our kids to school, respond to the hurricane, live with the pandemic and elect a president for the next four years, remember, God’s love will not leave us – no matter what is happening today, God’s love for us is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Friends, I hope you are encouraged, because no matter how chaotic the world is, God is not changing.

Peace,

Pastor John

Save the Steeple
We are only $2500 away from fully funding the project! The session would like to do that as quickly as possible. Please consider an additional gift for the steeple project, that we may celebrate 100% completion of this project! The session would like to announce the official end of the project at the October session meeting. Let’s see if we can wrap this up by the beginning of October!

A couple years after I came to Charles Town Presbyterian Church, I painted my office. It had been this drab peach color, and I wanted something a little more exciting. I settled on two main colors – a muted yellow, and a dark navy blue. I also repainted the trim bright white. It’s interesting – hard-core WVU fans come in and say, “I like the WVU colors! Nice!” while others, realizing I am a Penn State alum, will say something like, “Ah, Penn State!” The truth is, I was aiming for both. After all, I’m a Penn State boy in Mountaineer country!

Near my desk is a part of the trim that I missed in the painting. It should be white, but all I can see is the peach. It bothers me to the extent that some-times I feel like the only thing I can see is that mistake.

Christians tend to think that way about themselves. Christ has redeemed us, called us to faith, and saved us. He imputes (which literally means, “to give”) to us his own righteousness so that we always have good standing with God. When God looks at us, he does not see us, rather, God sees the Son.

And yet, so often, we focus on the negative. We look at the one or two areas where we are struggling, and think something like, “God can’t possibly love me! I’m so messed up.” We forget that it is precisely because we ARE messed up AND God loves us that he saves us through the work of the Son, and not our own works.

In Psalm 139:14, David writes these amazing words,

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

At first glance this might seem like an arrogant statement. David has just listed the intimacy and knowledge with which God created him, and so this is more a statement of fact.

Each of us is a marvelous, exciting, unique creation of a holy God. We are called to redeeming faith in Christ. We may have committed the most heinous sins, yet, through the grace of God, we are forgiven. We may struggle with particular sins, but God’s mercies are endless. God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Rather, he treats us with love, mercy, and grace. His forgiveness will never end. God does not see the mistakes we make; God sees those whom the Son has saved.

That is what and who we must focus on!

Blessings,
Pastor John

It is a tremendous blessing to have the kind of technology that allows us to remain connected through this time of pandemic. This connectivity allows us to have two important educational opportunities.

Revelation Bible Study
Beginning Wednesday, September 2, weekly Bible Study will resume, and we will be studying the Revelation. With so many catastrophic and life-changing events shaping 2020, it seems appropriate to study the book of the Bible that focuses on the end times and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. For those who have studied this book before, this will be an exciting refresher! Bible Study will meet over zoom, and will be recorded, so those unable to attend at that time will be able to review the material at their leisure. Everyone is welcome!

Join here on zoom or visit www.zoom.us/j then enter Meeting ID: 962 0204 2739
Then enter Passcode: 021517

READ Book Study
The Racial Equality and Discipleship group will resume meeting on Saturday, August 15, at 9:30am, over Zoom. We will begin studying Robin Diangelo’s White Fragility. The book is immensely popular at the moment, but it is currently available from Amazon. All participants are asked to read the forward, introduction, and chapter one. All are welcome to join us as we begin this study. The purpose of this group is to seek to understand the issue of racial inequality and how it connects to our faith in Christ. Those who are interested but unable to come to the first meeting should contact me and let me know.

Join here on zoom or visit www.zoom.us/j then enter Meeting ID: 917 6583 6995
Passcode: 901006

It is my hope that these groups will help each participant grow in his or her faith and develop a greater understanding of the issues covered in each group. I am looking forward to growing with you!

Blessings,
Pastor John

P.S. Please note that we’re NOW including the CTPress Weekly Newsletter along with the Virtual Worship program and songs below: