Sunday Mornings

Though we desire as many people to attend worship as possible, we will continue to defer to the CDC and state recommendations that all people who meet the following criteria not attend public gatherings at this time:

1. People who are currently sick, or have members of their household who are sick.
2. All adults considered at “high risk” in the event of exposure.
3. People who have serious chronic medical conditions such as: heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, other respiratory issues, or a compromised immune system.

In addition, members who are not yet comfortable attending public gatherings may continue to stay home. With that said, we are taking every necessary precaution to make our gathering as safe as possible using the most up to date information and recommendations.

Providence will adhere to the safety recommendations provided by the CDC and The State of California as closely as possible. You can anticipate:

1. Signage posted reminding congregants to maintain 6 ft. of social distance at all times.
2. All volunteers such as the ushers and officers serving communion will be required to wear masks and gloves at all times.
3. Groups of chairs will be setup with wide aisles and extra distance between each row to promote social distancing. Chairs will be setup in groups so that you can sit with the members of your household, and ushers will guide you to seating that can accommodate your family.
4. We will eliminate all passing of shared items and will print all hymns in the bulletin, collect the offering via boxes located in the back, and change our procedures for the Lord’s Supper.
5. In concert with the new state guidelines regarding masks and PPE, masks will be required for all attendees over the age of 2 (for a list of exceptions, please reference the state guidelines) while inside the gym. We encourage everyone planning to attend to bring their own cloth mask, but if you are unable to provide your own, disposable masks will also be made available.

Yes, two accommodations for these unusual circumstances are being made.

First, if you are high risk, experiencing symptoms, or you have been exposed to COVID-19 we are providing a live-stream of our service. The live-stream will run from the Call to Worship to the Doxology, but will not include any parts of the Lord’s Supper.

Second, if you’d like to join us at Linfield but you’re either unwilling to wear a mask or you’re unwilling at participate inside the gym due to the perceived risk, a speaker will be setup in an outdoor space adjacent to the gym for you to listen to and follow along with the service. Masks will only be recommended, but not be required, outdoors as long as you are able to maintain 6 ft of social distancing between households at all times. Outdoor seating will be provided, but there is also a grass field nearby if you prefer to bring a chair from home.

Communion will function largely the same way as always and will be served by the church officers. However, instead of distributing bread and wine by passing trays, officers will hand out the elements. If you plan to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Communion will also be served to members that choose to remain outdoors but have listened to the majority of the service, particularly the sermon and Lord’s Support portion of the service. If you are outdoors and would like to participate in the Lord’s Supper, please make sure you are seated in the chairs adjacent to the gym or make your way near the entrance door for distribution. We will not be serving the Lord’s Supper out on the grass field.

We plan to continue to hold one worship service every Sunday, beginning at 10:00 am.

No, we will not require registration in order to limit attendance. The state’s 100 person limit was in effect in Riverside County for only 21 days and covered the weekends of May 31st, June 7th and 14th. No additional limitations were presented moving forward.

The nursery will not be available during worship service, and all activities after service have been placed on hold. This includes the snack table, our monthly fellowship meal, and all Sunday school classes.

The practices we’ve adopted over the last two months are going to change. We will no longer produce a pre-recorded homily and separate liturgy. Instead, will will distribute our normal Sunday liturgy and livestream a significant portion of the service for you to follow along at home. We will broadcast the service from the Call to Worship through the Confession of Faith; the livestream will not include any portion of the Lord’s Supper. This video will remain available online for viewing at a later time as well.

Please come to worship having prepared your heart as best as possible, ready to serve and defer to one another. There will be a new procedures and rules to follow at the direction of the ushers. Also, remember that some among us may be nervous and wary of the health risks, so please seek the good of such brothers and sisters.