Church Services

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I look back over the past 3 months I have missed many of the normal things of life, visiting with friends, going to movies, eating out, and meeting together as a ward family. I have also missed your warm smiles and strong testimonies.  Fortunately, we have now been allowed to restart Sacrament Meetings on a limited basis.  Our first meeting will be on July 26th.  We will continue to meet each 4th Sunday of the month (August 23rd, September 27th, etc.) for the foreseeable future.  Things will be different than what we are used to, so I want to give you a preview of what our Sacrament Meeting will look like.

As you arrive at the church we ask that you enter the building through the north doors and move directly to the chapel.  Ushers will help you find a seat.  We ask you to sit as families if possible and to leave every other row (bench) open.  For those who may be attending alone, we ask you to maintain six foot distancing.  When exiting the chapel at the end of the meeting, we will ask you leave row by row as directed from the pulpit in an effort to prevent gathering/crowding in the foyer, and we will ask you exit out the north doors.  Please respect social distancing guidelines and limit contact as much as possible. Please also wear a mask.  If you do not have one, a limited number of masks will be available at the building. We also ask that you do not go into other areas of the church with the exception of restrooms as needed.

The primary purpose of meeting together is of course to take the sacrament. The meeting will consist of preparing/blessing/administering the sacrament, followed by one speaker. I expect the meeting to last approximately 40 minutes.  Both the sacrament bread and water will be administered by the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood who have washed their hands prior to the start of the meeting and will use sanitizer just before administering the sacrament. Only the individual passing the sacrament should touch the tray.  As you take the cup with either a piece of bread or water in it, you will place the empty cup in a separate container.

Another difference in our Sacrament Meetings will be the congregation will not sing hymns.  We are fortunate to have a great depth of musical talent in our ward.  In an effort to reduce airborne exposure we will rely on that talent to provide instrumental music to invite the spirit.  Though the music provided will be beautiful, on a personal note, I look forward to when we can sing together again.

For those of you who are in higher risk groups and still want to attend but may not be comfortable being in a room with a large group of people, we will have chairs set up in the Relief Society room where you can enjoy listening to the meeting.  We will also be sending out a written transcript of the talk after the meeting so all in the ward may be edified.

Due to group size restrictions, we divided the ward alphabetically and will hold two meetings.  Last names beginning with:

·         A-G will attend at 9 am

·         H-Z will attend at 10:30 am

Before and after each meeting surfaces will be thoroughly sanitized.

Please also remember, if you’re feeling ill, stay home.  And, if needed, you are still allowed to administer the sacrament at home with the proper priesthood authority.  Let your ministering brother or a member of the bishopric know if we can assist in this effort.

Thank you for your flexibility, patience and endurance.  Thank you also for your service to each other during this unusual time.  We are blessed to be led by Jesus Christ through His Prophet.  I, like you, am looking forward to seeing everyone and eagerly anticipate when we can ALL meet together again weekly.

Love,

Bishop Reese Davis