Continuing One Service Schedule
New Life will be continuing with our one service schedule moving forward…
New Life will be continuing with our one service schedule moving forward unless compelling reasons develop for going back to two. Guidelines issued by the Indiana State Department of Health and the CDC, along with counsel from our own health professionals, will be weighed as we continue to assess the situation.
Our worship service will start at 10:30 am and will be mask-optional. We will continue to have a mask-required area in the fellowship hall at least through the end of July where the service will be livestreamed. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of the members of the New Life session.
-The New Life Session
Mask Policy Update + One Service Schedule on July 4 and July 11
In light of changing recommendations related to Covid restrictions…
In light of changing recommendations related to Covid restrictions, beginning next Sunday, June 27, first service will be mask optional for those who are fully vaccinated. The second service will remain mask optional for everyone. For anyone wishing to worship in a mask required area, first service will be livestreamed in the fellowship hall where masks will be required. As a reminder, if you or a loved one you care for is in a high-risk category for severe Covid complications, please take proper steps of precaution, and if you are feeling ill, please stay home and rest.
In addition to this change, we will be offering just one Sunday morning worship service at 10:30am on both July 4 and July 11. This briefly lessens the workload for our Sunday morning volunteers who have served so faithfully over the past year. For those worshipping in the sanctuary, the service will be mask-optional (our current second service policy). Again, for anyone wishing to worship in a mask required area, the services for both Sundays will be livestreamed in the fellowship hall where masks will be required.
–New Life Session
New Life's Mask Policy Update
Masks to be worn during the first service at 8:30 am, but we will resume our mask-optional policy for the second service starting at 11 am…
Greetings to all of you in the name Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior!
As was mentioned this past Sunday, the elders have decided to slightly adjust our mask policy starting this Sunday. On Easter, we will continue to require masks to be worn during the first service at 8:30 am, but we will resume our mask-optional policy for the second service starting at 11 am. This policy will continue going forward in the coming Sundays, assuming covid conditions continue to improve in our community and do not surge like they did this past fall.
As usual, we are still asking that you take common sense measures: wash your hands regularly, maintain social distancing, and please do not attend worship if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, especially if you have recently returned from traveling over spring break. Our worship services will continue to be shown by live stream at 11 am.
Masks will be required for the discipleship hour classes, between 10 and 10:45 am each Sunday. Those classes will be offered on Easter, with the exception of the Exploring New Life class, which will resume next Sunday, April 11.
Masks will also be required for the Good Friday service; however, we will plan to open the multipurpose room for those who would like to watch the service by live stream and without masks. We ask that those taking advantage of this option would still wear their masks while in other parts of the building, both before and after the service.
As we prepare to give special attention this week to the heart of our faith — the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ — we hope these measures will allow all of us to safely and freely enjoy the fellowship of Christ’s church and the blessings of His Gospel.
With love to you all in Christ,
The New Life Session
A Brief Update on New Life's Mask Policy
As you have likely been noticing, the national and local situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has been improving substantially in the last several weeks…
Greetings New Life!
As you have likely been noticing, the national and local situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has been improving substantially in the last several weeks. At New Life, we have been requiring masks at both of our Sunday morning services since December because of the significant spike in cases this past fall.
The elders want you to know that we are monitoring the current developments closely, are encouraged by the improving reports we are seeing, and look forward to easing Sunday morning restrictions soon. Assuming we don’t notice another surge in COVID-19 cases, we hope to offer a mask-optional service soon, and to continue the trend toward normal ministry activity on Sunday mornings.
Thank you for your patience, prayers and continued service to the church during this time. This has been a trying season for all of us, but it is all happening under the sovereign direction of our Lord, who is working all things “according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him” (Ephesians 1:9-10).
With love to you all in Christ,
The New Life Session
New Life's Mask Policy Moving Forward
We want to thank you for your cooperation with this decision and give you an update on how we expect to move forward in the weeks ahead…
Greetings New Life!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This Sunday will mark the second week that we will be worshiping together with a mask-required policy for both the 8:30 and 11 am services. We want to thank you for your cooperation with this decision and give you an update on how we expect to move forward in the weeks ahead.
First of all, we want you to know that the decision to require masks at second service was not an easy one to make, and was adopted only after much prayer, reflection, and discussion. We fully acknowledge that worshiping with masks on our faces is less than ideal, and it is our hope and desire that we would not only be able to return soon to a mask-optional service at 11 am, but that we eventually would return to a situation where masks are not required at any of our worship and fellowship activities at New Life.
Secondly, the session of the church does meet twice a month to discuss matters that are pertinent to the spiritual life of our congregation. There are a number of factors that we are considering with respect to Covid restrictions, and we will inform you as soon as we are convinced that it is safe and prudent for our congregation and our community to lift the mask-required policy.
If you choose not to attend worship in person at New Life, let us remind you that you can watch the service online at 11 am by going to newlifepca.org.
The session covets your prayers, so please intercede on our behalf as we seek the Lord’s leading for the benefit of all of you, the saints at New Life, and for the glory of Immanuel, God with us, who is Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Bob
On behalf of the Session of New Life
Two Sunday Services Beginning in August
On Monday, the State of Indiana mandated the wearing of masks, and many of you are likely wondering how this will impact Sunday morning worship at New Life…
Greetings New Life!
On Monday, the State of Indiana mandated the wearing of masks, and many of you are likely wondering how this will impact Sunday morning worship at New Life. The elders have prayerfully discussed the situation and believe that the best solution is to offer two Sunday morning worship services—one that requires masks to be worn, and one that allows masks to be optional.
The state’s mask mandate does provide an exemption for those “engaged in a religious service,” so technically we are not required to make any changes as long as social distancing is practiced in our building, but the two-service option affords the best opportunity for the largest number of people to return to in-person corporate worship.
So here is the plan:
We will offer a service at 8:30 am each Sunday at which all participants will be required to wear masks at all times while inside the church building. No exceptions. If people arrive without masks, we will have masks available for them at the front doors of the church.
A second service will be offered at 11:00 am each Sunday at which masks will be optional, not required. Take note that the second service will be at 11:00 am, not the usual 10:30 am. We are tentatively committed to starting the two-service option on Sunday, August 16, depending on the preparations that will be required.
This also means that worship services on August 2 and 9 will continue as they have in the recent past—starting at 10:30 am, with masks recommended but not required. It would be a great help if all of us could consider how we might step up and serve, as it will obviously require more volunteer help to adequately staff two services.
The worship service will continue to be live-streamed even while we are offering two services. The desire is to eventually return to offering just one service, but that will depend on how circumstances unfold, which only our sovereign Lord knows.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate a very unpredictable and challenging time. As always, the elders’ ultimate desire is that the New Life congregation and people in our community can come to our church and worship the risen Christ freely, joyfully, and without anxiety. Pray that this may be so!
Pastor Bob,
on behalf of the session of New Life
Reminder About Masks from New Life's Session
On Wednesday, Indiana Governor Holcomb announced that the original plan to reopen the state to full capacity on July 4 has been extended to July 18 at the earliest…
Greetings New Life!
On Wednesday, Indiana Governor Holcomb announced that the original plan to reopen the state to full capacity on July 4 has been extended to July 18 at the earliest because of recent increases in COVID-19 cases in many other states. While Indiana has not experienced such increases, the governor is also reiterating the importance of wearing masks as a responsible measure to prevent the spread of germs.
The session of New Life wants to remind everyone that we are still recommending the wearing of masks during Sunday morning worship, as well as the practice of social distancing in the church building.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to the day when everyone who calls New Life home can gather together in person to worship our Father through the work of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Bob,
on behalf of the session of New Life
Details for Public Worship Sunday, May 19
This Sunday will be the first Lord’s Day in weeks that we have been able to gather together for worship in our sanctuary! In response to our survey, we have heard from 86 people…
Greetings New Life!
This Sunday will be the first Lord’s Day in weeks that we have been able to gather together for worship in our sanctuary!
In response to our survey, we have heard from 86 people who have indicated their intention to attend (as of Thursday). This is less than the fullness of our congregation, as many of you have indicated that you are not yet ready to recommit to social gatherings at this time. Please know that we understand and respect this decision and look forward to the time when you feel free to join us.
As we approach our first Sunday of worship since the lockdown, be assured that it is the intention of the New Life staff, elders and deacons to foster an environment in which social distancing can be practiced so that everyone can gather for worship without fear or anxiety. The following steps are being taken to make sure this occurs:
There will be one service at 10:30 am with space available in the multipurpose room for overflow in the event the sanctuary becomes too crowded.
In order to allow for adequate social distancing (6 feet apart), we believe 120 is the maximum number of people who should be allowed in the sanctuary. We can fit 30-40 people in the multipurpose room if needed.
Our deacons have adjusted the seating in the sanctuary to help accommodate proper social distancing. We urge everyone to take appropriate steps to promote the health and continued well-being of everyone in attendance. You can review our state’s recommendations here.
Several aspects of our normal worship service will be altered: there will be no greeting time, no worship booklets passed out, no offering plates passed, no children’s message or children’s church, no prayer after service, and no communion. Also, other Sunday morning ministries will not take place: there will be no nursery, no discipleship hour classes, and no coffee.
While the nursery will be closed, the cry room will be available for parents needing space with their children, and that space will be disinfected ahead of time.
The three main doors to the sanctuary from the foyer will be kept open at all times. People will also be able to exit through the fire exit doors on each side of the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service, though we urge you to exercise caution as a tripping hazard does exist in those exits.
Our cleaning crew will make sure the church is thoroughly cleaned before the service, with special attention given to disinfecting door handles, door plates, restrooms, the cry room and all surfaces. Hand sanitizer will be available in multiple locations.
While we understand that not everyone agrees on the usefulness of masks, we recommend that you wear one out of respect for those who are convicted they should be worn.
If you are exhibiting symptoms of illness, or consider your health to be particularly fragile, we suggest you remain at home for the time being.
For those choosing to remain at home, a live stream video of the service will be shown, which will be accessible on YouTube and at the New Life website at 10:30 am on Sunday.
Our goal is to phase in other ministries and other elements of the worship service over time, and will keep you updated on when those changes will occur.
As we have said before, we are in the midst of an unusual situation that presents unique challenges to us as a church and a community. It is important that we seek to humbly respect the differing opinions that are held about what is a proper response to the pandemic. We would do well to remember Philippians 2:3:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience, and please respond to the attendance survey if you haven’t already.
Pastor Bob,
on behalf of the elders and deacons of New Life