A Note from Our Pastor

Dear Bridge Family,
 
I hope you and your family are doing well and you are having a great week.  I am writing to you today with some great news!  On June 7, we will open the building for worship at The Bridge.   We have all been looking forward to this day for a long time.  I am so grateful for all of your prayers and your patience.  I know it has not been easy waiting.  I appreciate all of your support more than you know. 
 
Our ministry team has been and will continue working hard as we prepare to open on June 7.  And while this is going to be a really exciting time, it is important for you to know that it will be different in some ways.  Some of the experiences you are used to having won’t be the same for now. We will be following the guidelines put in place by the state and also the CDC.  It is really important that we create a safe environment for all who want to come and worship with us.   
 
I know that some of you will choose to wait before returning to worship.  Please know we fully support your decision.  We will continue to offer online worship each week through Facebook and also on the website.  We are working hard to improve the quality of our online experience so that you will feel as much a part of the worship service as those who attend on campus.  We will also look for ways to provide Holy Communion for those who worship from home.
 
You are probably wondering what it will be like when you come to worship on June 7.  One of the biggest changes you will experience is social distancing.  We have all missed getting to see our Bridge family.  ALOT!  We are used to greeting each other with handshakes, high fives, and hugs.  We love gathering in our Commons Area and spending time together.  In order to love our neighbors well and do all we can to keep the most vulnerable among us safe and healthy, we will be practicing social distancing as we gather.  
 
Below are some of the ways we will care for each other as we gather.
*The building will open at 10:00 a.m. for you to enter.
*We will not gather in the Commons Area before the service.
*We ask that as you greet each other to please not shake hands or hug. Air Hugs and elbow high fives are great!  (We know this is hard!)
*We will have masks available for anyone who wants to wear one.
 *There will be hand sanitizing stations by the outside doors and worship area doors.
 *The Hospitality Area will not be open.  Please bring your own coffee or other drinks.
(Please prepare your kids (and yourself) that there won’t be donuts or cookies for now)
 *We will not have printed bulletins and will not pass the collection bags.
 *There will be an offering box set up for your giving.
 *There will not be Children’s Ministry or Nursery available at this point.
*We will have a worship bag for each child.  Inside will be crayons, activity pages, family crafts, family devotions, a snack, and a toy surprise!  It will change weekly.
*Families will sit together for worship.  There will need to be empty chairs in between families on the same row.  Children and youth will sit with their families.
*Ushers will be available to help you find a seat.
*We will have the Children’s Sermon during worship, but kids are asked to stay with their families during this time.
*Holy Communion will be brought to you at your seat. 
*We will dismiss after worship by sections. 
*The building will close shortly after worship. We ask people to exit and gather outside the building if they would like to visit with each other.
*We will have a limited number of chairs in the commons area for overflow.
*You are welcome to sit on the Backyard Patio for worship if you feel more comfortable outside of the building.  The Backyard Patio is audio only, no video.
*There will be one nursery room available for nursing moms or moms needing privacy.  Space is limited. Check with Jessica. There will be no children’s staff present.
*We will be asking all Ministry Team Members and volunteers to wear masks as they interact with you.  They will not wear them while they are leading part of the service.
*We will be training all our ushers and greeters and other volunteers before June 7 on all of our new procedures and safety guidelines.
 
After Sunday, June 7, any Bridge group that wants to begin meeting again on campus may do so.  All groups will be required to follow the above guidelines during this phase of reopening.  There will be no meals, potlucks, or drinks provided as a part of ministry activities. 
 
We encourage anyone who is vulnerable, sick, or has recently traveled out of the country to join us for worship online.  Immunocompromised persons, as well as those experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or any persons with known exposure to COVID-19 are asked to join us for online worship.
 
We really appreciate your understanding and prayers as we move forward in reopening our campus for worship.  It will be different for a while and it will be challenging at times, but we have overcome a lot of challenges since God called The Bridge into existence.  What is most important is that we don’t lose sight of our vision and mission.  Let’s remember Christ’s call to serve each other and do all we can to make sure our guests and all who come to The Bridge feel safe, welcome and experience Christ’s love.  Invite someone to meet you here or join you online as we continue to invite families in our community to connect with Christ, connect with each other, and serve the world!
 
We can’t wait to see you whenever it is you choose to join us!  Thank you so much for all your help and support.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you have anything we can help with. Your Bridge Ministry Team is here to serve you!  
 
God loves you, and there is nothing you can do about it!
 

In Christ,
Donnie
 

9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.  So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. - Galatians 6:9-10