Coronavirus Updates

REOPENING UPDATE | May 13, 2020

After two months of online services, First Baptist Church of Strafford will reopen for in-person worship this Sunday, May 17 at 10:45 a.m. We are excited to see everyone and, more importantly, to worship our Lord in the same place at the same time!

In keeping with local, state, and federal guidelines, we want to make you aware of the efforts we are taking to keep everyone safe and healthy as we resume gathering together:

1. If you have been ill recently, if you are at high-risk (elderly, immunocompromised, preexisting conditions), or if you do not feel comfortable coming to church for any reason, we encourage you to stay home.

2. There will be no Sunday School, children’s church, or nursery until further notice.

3. NOW will not meet again on Wednesday nights until at least August.

4. Jeff Taylor will continue teaching the “Bible Studies for Life” lesson through Facebook Live and FreeChurchOnline on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. as long as our Sunday School classes are unable to meet. Classes are encouraged to remain virtually connected with one another through Zoom videoconferencing or other means. We have ordered the June/July/August “Bible Studies for Life” curriculum and will have both printed and digital copies available.

5. The main doors under the canopy will open at 10:15 a.m. All other doors will remain locked. Masked greeters will open the doors for you. Hand sanitizer will be readily available as you enter. To avoid contact, we will not be distributing bulletins or sermon outlines. These documents will be available on our website and can be printed before you come if desired.

6. Only the lobby, worship center, and main restrooms will be accessible—all other areas of the building will be sealed off. The drinking fountains will be disabled and no coffee station will be available. Feel free to bring your own drink from home, but be sure to use a lid to prevent spills.

7. Social distancing must be observed at all times in the building and on church property. Please stay at least six feet away from anyone who does not live in your household. In order to allow ease of movement, we ask that you do not congregate with small groups inside the building. You may visit in the parking lot before or after service as long as social distancing is maintained. Feel free to wear masks and gloves if desired.

8. Ushers will seat you in the worship center to ensure social distancing. Every other pew will be marked off to indicate permitted seating areas. Some pews will hold two families or three individuals, but please maintain at least six feet between households. Ushers will dismiss each row at the end of the service. The pew racks have been emptied of all hymnals, Bibles, Communication Cards, offering envelopes, and pencils.

9. The doors to the worship center will remain propped open at all times. Bathroom door latches will be rigged to open simply by pushing. We are also installing foot pull plates on the bathroom doors.

10. We will be aiming for the service to last one hour or less. We will sing 2-3 songs, Pastor Rick will bring a message, and we will share a few announcements. There will be no meet and greet time or offering time. A box will be available at the back of the worship center for you to deposit your tithes and offerings as well as any prayer requests as you exit.

11. The church building will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each service.

12. For those who are staying home, we plan to record the music and message each Sunday. We will post the video to the church Facebook page and FreeOnlineChurch by Sunday evening or Monday morning. We will also continue to stay connected through the week on the “FBC Strafford Family” Facebook group.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office at (417) 736-2148 or email church@fbcstrafford.org.