COVID-19 Updates
UPDATE 12.9.2020
REVISED COVID-19 MITIGATION PROTOCOL FOR THE 10:30 SERVICE.
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Roughly one month ago, in light of the dramatic increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Lancaster County, we revised our mitigation protocol for our 10:30 service from masks optional to masks recommended. Since that time the surge in COVID cases has continued to rise.
Now nearly everyone knows somebody who has had the virus, and in recent weeks several of our church members have tested positive, though they have not attended services where community spread was a possibility.
This surge in the virus echoes the pattern of the 1918 pandemic in which the second wave in the Fall was far worse than the initial Spring outbreak. With the coming of the cold weather it has also changed our ability to provide ventilation by opening doors. This has caused a few churches to end in-person services and go back online. Other churches have changed their mask policies for the protection of their congregations. We want to continue to provide the opportunity to gather for in-person worship for those who are comfortable but beginning Sunday, December 6, new mitigation protocols at St. Stephen will be as follows:
8:15 Service: Masks required throughout the service but can be removed during Communion
10:30 Service: Masks required but can be removed during the sermon and during Communion
The primary difference in the second service is that masks will be required during singing, when particulates are more likely to be disseminated. Masks may be removed during the sermon, though we recommend that you leave them on. Masks may also be removed during Communion. We continue to ask that you to register on our website for the 10:30 service. This is not necessary
for the 8:15 service.
Dear friends, we join with you in longing for the day when we will be free of masks altogether. But in the meantime, let us show our love and concern for one another by observing these protocols. This is our plan for December and we will reassess this monthly to see if conditions allow for a change. Please be assured that our actions are a reflection of our prayerful concern for the safety of the flock in light of the changing conditions around us.
UPDATE 8.26.2020
RETURN TO IN-PERSON SERVICES: Phase 3 Guidelines
Dear St. Stephen Family,
We are excited to confirm that we will be returning to in-person worship services on the Lord’s Day, September 6! It is essential that you read the Guidelines attached to this email. We acknowledge that the document is lengthy, but it describes in detail what you will need to know.
In brief, our services will be held at their regular times but will provide different options:
8:15 Masks will be Required
10:30 Masks will be Optional (must be worn in common areas and can be removed when seated)
Please read the attachment to understand the rationale for this distinction and other important information.
Masks will be required in all common areas at all times.
Yes, there will be singing!
Please respond to the Survey Monkey (below) that will let us know which service you plan to attend, or if you are not yet ready to return. We are limiting capacity to 100 per service in order to respect social distancing.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Beginning next week you will have the opportunity to register for the next Sunday’s services. This will be available on our website.
Thank you for your patience and may the love of Christ reign in our hearts!
The Session of St. Stephen Reformed Church
Click Here to View or Download “PHASE 3 GUIDELINES“
UPDATE 7.30.2020
In-Person services to begin September 6
Dear St. Stephen Family,
First of all, thank you so much for your prayers and patience as we have sought to determine what is best for our dear flock at St. Stephen Reformed Church.
After considering the input from the congregational surveys together with COVID conditions in the nation and region, we have determined that it is best to delay the return to the Sunday schedule of in-person worship until September 6.
We are very concerned about the spikes in the virus around the nation and the continuing rise of cases in the region, together with the vulnerability of a large portion of our congregation.
It has been more than 100 years since a pandemic such as this has struck our nation. We think that erring on the side of caution for another month is the prudent course of action. In the meantime, we will continue to offer the regular ministry of the Word and worship for your edification online. We ask for your continuing patience and for your prayers for the safety of our church family.
Just a reminder, that for those who are eager to gather for worship, that you are welcome to join us for the recording of the service on Saturday nights at 6:45
In His service,
The Session of St. Stephen Church
UPDATE 4.21.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
UPDATE 4.16.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Now that we have crossed the halfway point of the “next” 30 days, I trust that the Lord is sustaining you and yours.
UPDATE 4.14.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
I trust that you had a blessed Easter celebration in your homes. It was very strange not to be together but encouraging to know that the Lord is with us and that we are one in the Spirit! Let me know if you heard our bell ringing Sunday at Noon (thanks Ernie and Anne Orr!).
Thank you for logging on to our services, prayer meetings, and Sunday School class. We have also been encouraged to hear (through your shepherds!) that you are holding up well through the sequester.
I would remind you to log on to the LIVE Zoom prayer meetings through our website this week on Wednesday at 6:30 PM and Friday at Noon. We will continue to trust the Lord for the mitigation of the impact of the COVID-19 virus as well as personal congregational requests. Please email your prayer requests and updates to twitmer@ststephenpca.org. Of course, you will also be able to make requests LIVE during the meeting. (For the youth: Sunday meeting at 6:00 and Tuesday devotional at 7:00).
As always, please let us know if you have needs: food, prescription pickup, or just need to talk! Contact me (610-733-1659), Pastor Nathaniel (717-715-5954) or your shepherd if you need our assistance.
Below is a link to a reading from Alistair Begg on Prayer compliments of WTS Books. Remember to copy and paste the entire link onto your browser.
The resurrection is an irrefutable fact and the foundation of our faith. It is a truth that no circumstance can alter. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
On Behalf of the Session
UPDATE 4.11.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
UPDATE 4.9.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
I have attached the order of worship for the Good Friday service that will be available for you to view tomorrow at your convenience. I am grateful to Dr. Sacks for leading this service again this year and for the musical contributions of Heidi Shannon and Doug Wimer. May the Lord richly bless you as you meditate on the suffering of your Savior for you.
Please note that there will be no online prayer meeting tomorrow We will resume next Wednesday.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance, or know of someone who does.
Below is a link to another reading compliments of WTS BOOKS from Iain Duguid The Armor of God. (Copy the entire link and paste it into your browser).
In His service,
Pastor Tim
On Behalf of your Elders
UPDATE 4.4.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
UPDATE 4.1.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Just a reminder that we will gather online for LIVE prayer at 6:30 this evening via ZOOM.
Access is available on our website under “Ministries” then “Online Ministries.”
The meeting will last between 30-40 minutes. We will pray for the needs of the nation as well as for our congregation. PLEASE SEND REQUESTS you would like me to include. We will welcome LIVE requests as well.
I have attached a 30 Day Prayer Guide with very simple Scripture reading and prayer requests that you can use this month for personal or family devotions.
Today is April 1. Hopefully, this Prayer Guide will help you and your family walk through this extended month of social distancing.
We had a brief online Session meeting this morning and we want to pass these actions on to you:
1. Our online services and meetings will continue through the month of April in compliance with Federal and State distancing guidelines.
2. The window for submitting nominations for the Pastor Search Committee has been extended through the month of April as well. The congregational meeting to elect the search committee will be delayed.
3. One of the sad consequences of the current situation is that we will not have share the Lord’s Supper until we are reunited. The Scriptures indicate that this is something that we share together. This will be another reason for us to pray and long for gathering together once again.
As we have made our shepherding calls we have been very encouraged by your trust in the Lord! Please continue to care for those around you while observing social distancing. Finally, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have needs (groceries, prescription pick-up, etc).
Hope to see you at 6:30!
In Him,
Pastor Tim
On Behalf of the Session
UPDATE 3.31.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Thanks be to God for his sustaining grace!
I trust you are doing well! It was great to “see” many of you at the prayer meetings last week and at online Sunday School. We are also encouraged by the response to our online services. I am grateful for the technology that allows us to do a few things “together” during this crisis.
You have heard that the social distancing guidelines have been extended through April. We are having a meeting of the Elders tomorrow morning after which I will send “official” notification of changes in the upcoming schedule.
I am also writing to remind you to join us tomorrow evening for the online prayer meeting via ZOOM at 6:30 PM. Please send requests that you would like me to include. We will also review some updates on past requests.
Below you will see another link to from WTS Books. This time from Paul David Tripp on Suffering. Remember to copy and paste the entire link into your browser.
I will be writing to you again tomorrow. Stay safe and please don’t hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do for you!
In Him,
Pastor Tim
On Behalf of your Elders
UPDATE 3.28.2020
UPDATE 3.24.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
It was great being together with many of you last night for the online prayer meeting (40-50 of you!).
I have attached the prayer requests from last night’s meeting for everyone to have to continue to pray whether you were online last night, but especially for those who were unable to join us last night. Of serious concern is the discovery of a worker at Garden Spot Village who tested positive for COVID-19. Pray for everyone there!
Remember, we will do the same tomorrow (Friday) at Noon for about 15 minutes. I will try to provide updates on earlier requests and encourage you to send in requests for tomorrow’s meeting.
Below is another link to a reading by Tim Keller for you (compliments of WTS BOOKS). Remember to copy the entire link to your browser.
It was great seeing you and talking with you last night and I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
UPDATE 3.24.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord!
I hope you are doing well. Our officers are very encouraged by the spirit with which you are enduring these challenging times. I am writing to bring you a couple of updates and reminders.
1. Thank you for tuning into our worship services. We are encouraged by your enthusiastic response.
2. Many of you tuned into Phil Castor’s T.U.L.I.P class on Sunday at 9:30. Please tune in again. It was great to see many of your faces!
3. Wednesday evening at 6:30 we will hold our first virtual prayer meeting via Zoom. We will be praying for the Covid-19 outbreak but this will also be a time when you can share personal prayer requests. For privacy reasons we have not prayed for individuals by name during the Sunday morning services due to its broad and public reach. The Zoom meetings are designed to meet the need to pray for one another’s requests. Please email your requests to me so that they can be included. The Zoom meeting will be interactive so there will be opportunity to add requests LIVE and for others to pray.
I am planning for the meeting to last approximately 30 minutes.
4. Friday at Noon we will hold another virtual prayer meeting using the same format as Wednesday’s meeting.
5. Church Finances I asked for an update on our income vs. expenses up to this moment for the month of March. The income including 2 Sundays together, funds mailed in, and online giving totals $31,890.51.
The expenses total $31,858,69 leaving us $31.82 in the black!! I could hardly believe it when I saw these numbers. But I shouldn’t have been surprised knowing the kindness of our Lord and the generosity of our congregation.
There are still a few bills to pay this month and we are short of our budget target for the month ($51,000). During the sequester we will remain dependent on the gifts you mail in and online giving. Thank you for your generosity.
6. Please continue to look for opportunities to help others during these days.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance; picking up groceries or prescriptions or in other ways. If the Lord brings someone to mind, please give them a call.
Finally, below you will find another link to a resource by my friend Ed Welch (complements of WTS Books). Remember to copy the entire link into your browser.
May the Lord bless you, and please send in prayer requests and tune into the prayer meeting Wednesday evening at 6:30.
In Him,
Pastor Tim
On behalf of your Elders
UPDATE 3.21.2020
UPDATE 3.20.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
Finally, I am so grateful to our officers who have served you so well throughout the sequester. As they have made their shepherding calls they have been greatly encouraged. Though we are apart from one another, we are still one in Christ. Please continue to pray for one another and if you need help PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE to contact us. For example, if you need something picked up or something delivered please let us know. Anita is in the church office from 9:00-Noon but Nathaniel (717-715 5954) and I (610-733-1659) are available if you need us.
FROM NATHAN T:
Here is a quick video of me going through how to access the online giving.
UPDATE 3.14.2020
Dear St Stephen Family,
UPDATE 3.13.2020
Dear St. Stephen Family,
As your Elders, we have determined, out of an abundance of caution, that Sunday services and meetings for the next week will be canceled. This includes this Sunday’s worship, Youth Group, Women’s Studies, Game night, the Women’s breakfast, and most committee meetings. We are working on a live stream option so that you can watch this Sunday’s sermon and liturgy from home and we will send that link as soon as it is set up. If we are unable to set that up by Sunday, the sermon audio will be available by Noon on our website (ststephenpca.org).
We urge you to set aside time on Sunday morning to watch the live stream or listen to current or a previous sermon. Please be praying for the safety of our more vulnerable members and for wisdom for our leaders.
We will keep you posted on the link to the live stream and our plans for next Sunday morning. In the meantime, stay safe and pray for the mitigation of the pandemic.
In His service,
Pastor Tim