Hopkins United Methodist Church

COVID numbers are on the rise in Michigan, and Allegan County, once again. This week the county’s risk level has risen to the “high risk” category as daily new cases has risen above 25 per 100K (27.2 as of 3/24) and the positive test rate has risen above 10% (11.4% as of 3/24). Both of those numbers put Allegan county in the high risk zone.
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In-Person Worship Guidelines: 

• Masks are required. We have not had a problem with mask wearing, but if you invite someone to come for Easter, remind them to bring a mask. We have disposable ones to give to anyone who forgets, too! 
• Hand Sanitizer will be inside the entry doors before the stairway, please use it on your way in and out of the Sanctuary. 
• Social Distancing will be enforced. Even if you are vaccinated, please respect the 6ft recommended to help us all do our best.
• Windows will be open to increase air circulation. We will crank the heat as needed, but bring a jacket if you tend to run cold just in case.
• No singing. The science continues to show that singing and shouting are the strongest spreaders of COVID through the air. That makes singing one of the highest risk activities by a church, so we will be eliminating that risk for now.
• Children’s Church will continue. As has been the practice, we will continue to encourage the kids to follow safety guidelines as much as possible.
• Children’s Sermon will maintain Social Distance. Pastor Kelsey will guide the kids as they are invited up for where they will sit and encourage them to stay in family groups and she will keep proper distance.
• Continuing COVID-times norms of gathering for worship:
  • Offering will be collected as you walk in or out of the church on the welcome table.  Loose change offering will also be there.  
  • Pick up your bulletin on the welcome table. 
  • There will be no moving around for passing of the peace.
  • Each family has an assigned “worship bag” with activities and supplies for their kids to play with during the service. There are extra bags for visitors. 
  • Please be cautious with mingling, try to do it outside if weather allows.

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This Lenten Devotional was inspired and based on the children’s book, “Images of God for Young Children” by Marie-Helene Delval and illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni.
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Below you will find the set of devotions for each week of Lent.

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Due to rising numbers and risk levels in Allegan county and the whole state, along with a few active cases within our church family (no known direct contact at church), the Ad Board has decided that it is time, again, to put a pause on gathering in-person and have closed our buildings to all activities except the Food Pantry until further notice. As such, we are back to virtual worship starting Sunday, November 1. Zoom connection information below!
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I pray that we will feel the movement of the Spirit amongst us even though we will be spread farther apart than usual. May we continue to use our worship muscles and feel God’s presence in new ways. I pray that God will help us to create sacred space wherever we are when we need to connect to you.

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Following the advice of public health officials and Bishop Bard’s recommendation, Hopkins and South Monterey UMCs will suspend in-person worship services and other gatherings for the rest of March, and perhaps longer. We take this step as a way of doing our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

We are not canceling church-we are being flexible about the way we gather together.

In addition to suspending public worship, Senior Meals, Ladies Rejoice, Book Study, and Adult Sunday School will not meet until further notice.

Our Food Pantry will continue to operate Wednesdays from 10-12 and 5-7 but with additional precautions and procedures to limit physical interaction.

Even in this season where we are called to social distancing, we will find ways to be the people of God gathered together; we will hold weekly worship Sundays at 10am on the Zoom platform. If you would like information on joining our Zoom worship, please contact Pastor Andrew at aphillips@nccumc.org or 919.259.4681.

This will be a challenging season, Beloved. We are being called to be church in a new way in the midst of new fears and challenges. Yet Jesus Christ remains the same, and it is in his words to us, his disciples, that we trust—Be not afraid.

Let us pray to the God who calls us to be church in this day:

God of the present moment,
God who, in Jesus, stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to us all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

Yours, in Christ,
Andrew+

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