Paramount Baptist Church
COVID-19 Action Plan
Schedule:
In light of Governor Hogan’s Executive Order regarding meetings of over 250, and to take appropriate precaution to protect the health and well-being of our membership, we are adjusting our schedule in the following ways.
Sundays:
- For the next 2 Sundays of March 15th and March 22nd, we will meet for worship at both regularly scheduled service times of 8:30am and 11:00am.
- For these next 2 Sundays, we will not meet for Sunday School. After Sunday, March 22nd, we will reassess the situation and determine the schedule for both worship and SS going forward.
Wednesdays:
- For the next 2 Wednesdays of March 18th and 25th, we will meet for our Wednesday evening Prayer and Bible Study at 6:30pm.
- For these next 2 Wednesdays, AWANA and PBC412 Youth will not meet. Our AWANA Leaders and workers, as well as the Youth and Youth leaders are invited to join us for prayer and Bible study in the worship center.
Other Group Meetings and Activities:
- Paramount Life Groups, Women’s Bible Study, Men’s Breakfast, Youth Bowling, Choir practice, and other small group meetings and activities like them, will continue at the discretion of the leader of each particular group or ministry. If a meeting or event is cancelled, you should receive communication to that extent from the leader, or you may contact them individually for information. Additionally, we will do our best to maintain communication with these leaders and keep the church calendar on our web-site current with up to date information on all cancellations. You may access the church calendar through the link below.
http://paramountbaptist.com/calendar/
Precautions:
We ask that you help us by taking necessary precaution and following these guidelines:
- Please stay home if you or your child are feeling sick or exhibiting any cold and flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
- If you are at higher risk due to age or health related issues, please consider staying home for your own safety and well-being.
- If you have traveled internationally in the last 2 weeks, please exercise caution and stay home until you are at least 2 weeks past your return date with no symptoms.
- Our staff will be greeting you verbally and not with handshakes or hugs and we ask that you do the same with each other. We still love you but let’s help each other stay well and we can hug it out when this is over!
- We will not receive our tithes and offerings in the usual manner by passing plates, but will instead place the offering plates at the back wall of the worship center and ask that you drop your tithes and offerings in as you enter or leave the worship service.
- Greeters will not hand out worship bulletins as they normally do, but they will be placed on the Welcome Desk and at the entrance to the worship center and we ask that you pick up your own worship bulletin as you enter.
- We ask that you spread out as you are seated in the worship service. As much as possible, allow 3-4 feet between your family and others.
- If you have your own bottle of hand sanitizer, you are encouraged to bring it for your personal use. We have some available, but it is in short supply and may not last.
Alternatives:
For those who stay home, the following options for worship and discipleship are available to you.
- LIVESTREAM Worship Services: You can watch our Sunday morning worship services via livestream, or watch an archived service later on, both at our YouTube page.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUdI1zHuQneOSAInKNz7Cbw
- LifeWay Kids: LifeWay Kids is offering the following for parents as a means for providing at home discipleship for their children:
Equip your families to study the Bible at home with the FREE LifeWay Kids at Home Digital Pass experience. LifeWay Kids at Home includes a video session along with a downloadable activity page and conversation starters. To access LifeWay Kids at Home, please have each of your families follow the steps below.
Step 1: Go to my.lifeway.com/redeem
Step 2: Register if you are a new user or log in if you already have an account. This is completely free.
Step 3: Enter this redemption code: VZMD4SSQ38
Step 4: Click “Access” (if prompted to sign in again, sign in) and then click “My Dashboard,” and go to LifeWay Kids at Home
Step 5: Download your Activity Page and One Conversation Sheet to use as you watch the video session.
Content will be updated weekly as needed. Free to all churches and the families they minister to.
What to Say:
This virus is THE topic of conversation around the country right now. It’s hard to avoid talking about it. How do we do so in a way that is wise?
What should we say?
- “We are preparing for trouble because this is a real problem and is likely to get significantly worse.”
- “We are going to make some changes and take precaution, not out of fear, but out of love because we care for others and their well-being.”
- “Don’t be afraid, trust the Lord. And, wash your hands.” ?
What should we not say?
Everyone has an opinion about this situation. Not every opinion is helpful. There are some things you should not say, such as…
- “Everything’s going to be fine,” or even, “You’re going to be okay.” While ultimately as believers we know that will be true, we don’t know the specifics of what will happen to any individual and we should not give even well-intentioned assurance to anyone when it’s not within our power to do so. Additionally, we don’t want to minimize the very real danger of this virus and encourage anyone not to take it seriously.
- “You’re overreacting.” While some will certainly overreact, it is up to each individual to take the precautions they feel necessary to protect themselves and their family. This is a judgment call that each person has to make and many will decide differently on how to respond and that’s OK. It’s not our job to critique the response of others.
- Finally, don’t blame it on the media, or the Democrats, or the Republicans, or the Chinese, etc. Plenty are doing this, but as a believer don’t look for fault in others, rather point them to the hope that you have in Jesus Christ.
Remember that our God is not nervous or surprised about any of this. As His much-loved child, remain calm, walk by faith, and take the recommended precautions. Additionally, pray that this would be a time when the hearts of many realize the frailty of this life and their need for Jesus and be turned to faith in Him!
Blessed to Serve,
Pastor Frank