Riverside Saturday Evening Worship Service

Bring A Jacket- We will be opening up the windows to get fresh air circulating through the building and it might get chilly so dress warmly.

* NO KIDS CLASSES- FAMILIES PLEASE STAY TOGETHER

* KITCHEN IS CLOSED- BRING YOUR OWN FOOD/COFFEE

We are cautiously going about the process of “opening up” our worship services to having more than just the people putting on the service in the building. It doesn’t mean the virus is gone or not a problem still- it just means we are just as concerned about the Riverside family’s emotional and spiritual well being as we are your physical well being.

So starting this weekend (May 16/17) we are inviting 40 people to join us at each service. The invitation is for anyone who feels comfortable venturing back into the building with others and spending an hour or so social distancing and caring for your own health and the health of the other members of the Riverside family who are worshiping with you.

We’ve been hesitant to make this move but I’ve been talking to health professionals who call Riverside home and together we think we’ve worked out a plan that is cautious and as safe as we can make it.

This is NOT a test of your spirituality. You're not twice as holy because you worship inside the building. If you are concerned about your health please stay home and we'll see you when this is all over.

Since only 40 people can attend any given service (50 when you count in the worship team, tech team and pastor Ed) we will be using Eventbrite to reserve a spot at each service. You can go to our events page and reserve your spot by clicking here. If there are no more spots then you’ll need to stay home and worship along with us on the livestream (sorry about that). Please don’t come to the building unless you’ve got a “ticket” because that will put us over the limit of 50 people per service.

And please, if you reserve a spot and life happens and you can’t make it message pastor Ed and let him know.

We are required to have a Covid mitigation plan for reopening so here’s Riverside’s “plan”:

1. If you are sick/symptomatic stay home and get better before venturing out.

2. No more than 50 people at each service.

2. Everyone attending practice social distancing of 6 feet (with the exception of people from the same household).

3. No coffee or donuts. Sorry. We can’t provide food or drink of any kind right now. You can however bring your own. And your elementary school teacher would be aghast that you don’t have to bring enough to share.

4. Kitchen will be closed.

5. No touching (fans of Arrested Development have George Senior’s voice running through your mind right about now). No handshakes or hugs. We suggest finger guns from at least 6 feet away (introverts you’re welcome).

6. Masks are suggested by the State but not required. I know there are a lot of strong feelings about the wearing of face coverings in public. The State recommends wearing a mask to church but does not require it (see health alert 010).

7. We will have separate entrance and exits. Entrance will be through the double doors on either side of the building. Exits will be through the fire doors at the front of the auditorium.

8. We will have hand sanitizer throughout the building and hand washing available in the bathrooms. Please try to limit the number of people in the bathrooms to just two at a time.

9. Communion will be offered. Cups will be double stacked (cracker in bottom cup and juice in the top cup). We will not be passing plates- communion plates will be on tables stationed on either side of the auditorium so practice social distancing when going to the table to get your cups please.

10. We will be using plastic chairs for the immediate future so we can easily wipe them down after each service.

I’m sure there will be more to come. This is not going to be a smooth process but you want the good news? You have chosen to make Riverside Community Church your home so you’re used to less than smooth processes, aren’t you? Most folks who would be bothered by our total lack of organization and administrative prowess are most likely long gone to one of the churches in town that are well-oiled-machines when it comes to things like this. But we will get through together.

I know there are A LOT of very strong feelings about how to proceed in this new reality we find ourselves in. As the church (and you are included in that word- the church is not the building located at 10301 Eagle River Loop Road- the church is the people who meet in that building and if you’re reading this then that applies to you as well as everyone else that calls Riverside home) our number one goal is unity and encouragement through all of this. Some people may feel like we are going overboard with all these precautions and are starting to feel fatigue from all the eye rolling. Some people may feel like we are being cavalier opening up again so soon and that we’re not going far enough in our procedures. It’s the way it’s always been in the church. Not always with this issue but there’s always been one issue or another that threatens the unity of the church. Paul had a lot of advice about how to handle that in Romans chapter 14. You can read the whole thing sometime but here’s how Paul sums up those who disagree with each other over matters of opinion- in this case whether it’s ok to eat meat sacrificed to pagan idols:

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. Romans 14:1-4 (NLT)

What was going on in Rome? One side felt like it was no problem to eat the meat sacrificed to a pagan idol that showed up in the meat market the day after it had been sacrificed to Apollo (or Diana or Jupiter or…). The other side felt like it was wrong to eat that meat- they felt like it was idolatry to even consider it. The meat eaters rolled their eyes at the non meat eaters. The non meat eaters shook their finger in the faces of the meat eaters. The result was not what the church is supposed to be about. Paul’s answer? Stop it. Both of you.

So when we all find ourselves back together at the building we call home let’s keep in mind Paul’s advice from Romans 14.

I can’t wait to see everyone again. Pray that this process goes as smoothly as is humanly possible (or whatever that passes for at Riverside) and pray for each other. I am looking forward to the day that this will all be in the past and we can resume what passes for an ordinary church service.

Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. Job 11:16-19 (NLT)

I can’t wait til all of this is like “water flowing away”.

See you soon.

Jesus is awesome.