September 2020

Dear Friends – On July 19 Grace suspended in person worship for the second time. This was in response to Gov. Wolf’s renewed restriction of group meetings to 25 or less. I know many are missing in-person worship, and want very much to return to our sanctuary. The Worship Committee adopted a plan to do that on Sunday, Sept 27.

Here is an outline of the reasoning behind the suspension of in-person worship and the proposed date of our return:

• Gov. Wolf reinstated restrictions limit gatherings to 25 people or less.
• Churches were exempted from this restriction, but COVID-19 does spread in church gatherings.
• We chose to err on the side of caution rather than increase the possibility that worshipers could become seriously ill or even die.
• The Corona Virus is in Venango County. Though the spread has been slow we can’t ignore mitigation practices and expect that slow spread to continue.
• Because of the love of Christ the church has a responsibility to do what we can to limit further spread of C-19, perhaps even more than other organizations.

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At this writing, I haven’t received any additional instructions regarding C-19 from Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. Congregations have been urged to make their own decisions based on all the risk factors and mitigation practices.

The plan to resume in-person worship on September 27 is based on the Oil City Area School District’s plans for the beginning of school. OCASD students will be separated into two groups. Beginning September 1 half of the students will attend in-person classes for two days while the other half attends cyber classes. Then the second half will attend in-person for two days while the first group attends cyber classes. If this plan successfully limits COVID, OCASD will resume in-person education 5 days per week for all students on September 28.

The Worship committee felt that if OCASD can successfully resume in-person education, it will be safe enough for Grace to resume in-person worship at the same time. Therefore, the first in-person worship is set for September 27.

​We will, of course, continue televised and online worship each week. I am so grateful to our TV team for their diligent work.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Continue to pray for an end of this pandemic. God hears even BIG prayers. And continue to support one another. Make a phone call to members who may be experiencing loneliness. Pay special attention to shut-ins and anyone who is ill. And please continue to support your church financially.
www.graceoilcity.org

We will get through this with God’s help.
​  ~ Pastor Byron