Announcements

Dear First Reformed Church,

As we continue to move through the pandemic of Covid 19 life also continues to change.  As we have gotten into our fall programing we have recognize how hard it is to do ministry online.   As parents and members of our congregation, I want to encourage you do what you can as families  and individuals to educate your children and youth about Jesus Christ. 

We are reminded that as a church we should be the secondary sources for the religious education of your child.  You are the first source and the greatest lessons that can be taught are the Christ centered messages you establish at home.  In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 we read;

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one, 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

With that being said, we met as an Administration Team along with Josh, Stan DeZeeuw and Dick Oldenkamp, who is chairman of the Education Team.   Following our meeting we made the decision to move forward as follows.

General Worship:  We will continue to hold worship with our social distanced seating.  We do want to emphasize that in the Narthex if you are having conversation with those around you, we would highly recommend you wear a mask.  In the sanctuary itself we will continue as usual with masks worn at your choosing.  At this time we will not do coffee. If you choose you can socialize around the tables but please keep the socially distance rule of 6 feet between those you are having conversation with.

Education and Youth Activities:  We will resume in church classes and youth activities starting in the next two weeks. As we are excited about that return to in-person classes, we are also going to implement the similar policies that school is now under.  This means that all of our classes will be set up in such a manner that each student will be socially distanced at the 6-foot recommendation. 

We will be eliminating all the tables in each room and each student will be given a personal tote to hold supplies and write on.  If there is any room where we cannot abide by the 6-foot rule, students and teachers must wear a mask.  We are also encouraging all our students and teachers to wear masks while in class and in the hallway if possible.  The junior high and high school groups will be meeting in the fellowship hall during this time for their youth meetings. We are currently looking for some Sunday School teachers.  If you can help, please contact Diane Langstraat. 

Our programs will resume at follows:

High School (7:30 pm) and Junior High (6:30 pm) youth Groups:  Wednesday October 7th

Bible Class at 6:30 pm – October 14th

Sunday School 10:10 am – October 18th

Children in Worship during worship services – October 18th

We each have our opinion on the issue of masks. Wear your masks when you need to.  We will also have masks available for those attending worship and our education and youth activities if needed.  Our concern as leadership in the church, is to do what we can to make sure we are providing a safe and clean environment for all of you as a congregation.  We want you to take the mindset that Jesus has taught us, which is to “Love our neighbor as yourself.” 

None of us wants to be where we are at right now with Covid 19, but if we continue to be concerned and love those around us we will all get through this together,  God is always good.  We want to encourage you to be mindful and considerate of anyone joining us for worship or activities. We have the opportunity to do our part to enhance a greater comfort to those who have been concerned about their own health as well as others.

Blessings and Prayer,

Pastor Luke and the Administrative Team