Social Distancing Protocols Removed

Dear St. Stephen Family,

I am pleased to report that the social distancing protocols that were placed last September have now been removed! Below you will see Elder John Hildebrand assisting in the removal of ribbons and signs! We are grateful for God’s mercy and for your patience and perseverance.

Blessings!

Tim

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ELDERS – CHANGE IN MITIGATION PROTOCOLS.

Dear St. Stephen Family,

We are grateful that conditions have shown marked improvement in the nation and in Lancaster County over the last several weeks with cases declining, test positivity rates declining (nearing the ideal of 5%), and vaccination rates rising every week. Based on these developments, we are announcing the following changes in our mitigation protocols: 

Beginning on Sunday, May 23, all services, meetings, and ministries will be masks optional. You may choose to wear a mask or not to wear a mask. We ask everyone to be considerate of one another and that you lovingly respect the choices that others make.

We look forward to seeing many of you back in person, even as we know that those at greatest risk may choose to continue to attend via livestream.

We are very grateful for your patience and prayers as we are now in the 15^th month of navigating the COVID-19 mitigation protocols. The Lord is faithful!

Sincerely in His service,

The Session of St. Stephen Church

REGISTRATION NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THE 10:30 SERVICE.

Dear St. Stephen Family,

I am pleased to announce that we will no longer request that you register for the 10:30 service.

Praise the Lord that we are able to gather in person to worship our Lord!

In Him,

Pastor Tim
On behalf of the Session

RETURN TO ORIGINAL COVID-19 MITIGATION PROTOCOL FOR THE 10:30 SERVICE.

Dear St. Stephen Family,

I am pleased to make the announcement:

Due to the improvement in conditions, on Sunday, March 7, our 10:30 service will return to “masks optional.” Masks must still be worn in common areas but may be removed after seated. Please register online for the 10:30 service. This is not necessary for the 8:15 service. When we changed our protocol two months ago cases were surging and continued to rise through the holiday surges. Now cases are declining, the trend is downward, and vaccinations are on the rise.
We are looking forward to seeing you again soon!

We thank the Lord for your prayers, support, and flexibility!

In His service,

Pastor Tim
On behalf of the Session

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.

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/r/MBY5MBQ

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“

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

Dear St. Stephen Family,

Click here to download Living Life Backward

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. 

Click here to download Anxiety – Knowing God’s Peace

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

Click here to download Alistair Begg on Prayer

Dear St. Stephen Family,

Click here the Easter Order of Service

Click here to the John 20 Food for Thought

Dear St. Stephen Family,

Click here to download Iain Duguid The Armor of God

Click here to download the Good Friday Order of Worship

Dear St. Stephen Family,

Click here to download Everyday Prayer with John Calvin