Category: Announcements and Events

Dear Southmoore,

I wanted to take this opportunity to not only say hello, but also give you some information as we go forward during this coronavirus.

Damon Swift, Hayden Young, Doug Snook, and I met Sunday afternoon to talk about what needs to be done as we prepare to open the doors of the church.

First of all, we were all in agreement that we should not start having church May 3, 2020. I know that’s not what any of us want to hear. But, with so many unknowns about the virus, we felt this was the best decision at this time.

We believe it is best to pray, wait, and observe to see what happens as other businesses and churches open. We also believe that people’s safety and health is our top priority.

So, when will the church be open again? I don’t know. Please pray with us as we go forward. You don’t know how my heart breaks writing these words. Hopefully, we will “gather together” soon.

When we do open the doors, it will not be “business as usual.” We will have to implement many changes in order to ensure meeting together will be safe as possible.

1. Southmoore will have 2 worship services on Sundays:
   • 9:30 am and 10:45 am
   • Services will be limited to 100 people.
   • We are encouraging the older adults to come to the 9:30 am service. We will let you decide if you are in this category.
2. Guidelines for when you arrive:
   • Everyone will come through the front doors.
   • You will enter the sanctuary immediately.
   • We will practice social distancing (even in the sanctuary).
   • Chairs will be marked for you to sit in.
   • Families can sit together.
3. Guidelines for when you exit:
   • The 9:30 am worship service will exit out the north doors in the gym/fellowship hall. This will allow us to maintain social distance as people arrive for the 10:45 am service.
   • The 10:45 am worship services can exit out the front doors or the gym/fellowship doors.
4. This that will not happen:
   • No Sunday School
   • No Childcare
   • No Children’s Church
   • No Coffee and Donuts
   • No Sunday pm Services
   • No Wednesday night meal and services
   • No Choir or Choir Practice
   • No Associational Children’s Camp at Falls Creek

(This reminds me when I was a little boy; my nickname was “No-No.”)

As you can see, things will be different. These guidelines are not implemented to take away from our traditional way of doing church, they are there to keep us as safe as possible.

Finally, I want to thank you for your continual prayers, support, and your tithes and offerings. Our contributions continue to be consistent over the last couple of months. Progress continues to be made on the Children’s Fellowship Hall, East Wing Project. PTL!

I miss you very, very much!

I love you very, very much!

Hello Southmoore Church Family,

I hope this letter finds you doing well in these uncertain days. All of our lives have changed. We are “doing life” differently because of the coronavirus. I know you are doing your part during the battle. I miss you and pray for you always. I can’t wait for the day we will be able to worship together.

This week, President Trump said that the country will slowly reopen. Which means our churches also will reopen.

Before that happens, we will need to prayerfully consider what we need to do to keep our church as safe as possible.

Ken Brady, an Oklahoma pastor, has compiled over 20 questions churches need to ask before we open our doors.

Here are some of those questions:

• What adjustments will you make to the Lord’s Supper, baptisms, and choir ministry?
• What about camps and VBS?
• What about Sunday School?
• Should we “pass the plate” for offerings?
• Will we continue Children’s Church?
• Will we provide coffee and donuts?
• Will we have greeters and bulletins?
• What about Sunday night and Wednesday night services?

The list goes on and on. As we can see, we will need to make many decisions before we open the doors of the church again. If you have any thoughts, opinions, or recommendations, please let me know. And above all, pray!

I also want to take this opportunity to give you an update on the East Wing Project at church. Progress is being made. The interior walls are up and now the electricians, plumbers, and heat and air can be installed. Of course, this will take some time depending on the coordination of all the sub-contractors.

Just a reminder to let you know that the church voted to begin this project in our last business meeting. Also, it was discussed to use $200,000 out of our general checking to begin this project. This will leave approximately $100,000 in our checking balance. By the way, our offering and tithes have been consistent over the last two months. Thank you for faithfully supporting the church with your tithes. You’re the best!

The stewardship committee voted to take action so we could start the project. We will have a better idea in a few weeks of the total cost of the project. We will consider some options for financing the balance.

I hope you are enjoying our church services on our website. I have talked to some of our members who didn’t know we have services on our website. Please help me pass this information on to the rest of the church.

I’m looking forward to the day we can assemble again together.

Oh what a day that will be!