Dear Lakeview Baptist Church and/or Visitor,
It has been a long and trying journey for our church as the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality in our central Texas lives. Reviewing information from the CDC, Federal, State, and local guidelines, we stopped having live services on March 15th. That was 76 days ago. Every day we have prayed to find a date when Lakeview Baptist Church could meet again. Well, we now have a date for LBC Re-Gathering on June 7th with two services: one at 9:00 AM and the other at 11:00 AM.
We will continue to abide by state and local authorities as they set guidelines for churches returning to their church building. We will be observing all “social distancing” standards and ask that, when we assemble together, we adhere to a “no contact” policy.
We are also request that you wear “face coverings” to and from your seat in the sanctuary. We approach the discussion of “Face Covering” in a “love thy neighbor” observation. This is a precautionary measure. Face coverings can be in any form including face masks, bandannas, and scarfs.
Also, it is important to note that only the main doors will be open, so park in the North side main parking lot. And, only the main restrooms will be available. They will be sanitized regularly.
All other areas of the campus will be closed and secured.
Limited Seating
The sanctuary will be cordoned off, making available approximately 120 seats per service to allow for the “six foot” rule. Therefore, it is very important that every head of household reserve the worship time their family wishes to attend via EventBrite.
We will be using the EventBrite software app for all seat reservations. Use the following link to make your reservations: https://lbcbelton.eventbrite.com.
I cannot stress this enough, when we reach max 120, people worshipers will be turned away. This is a “first come, first served” system as we must adhere to the CDC, Federal, state, and local guidelines.
Personally, I cannot fathom informing members and/or visitors that they cannot attend. So, please help us by reserving your seat. As a side note, we are making provisions for a percentage of seats to be set aside for visitors.
Those that do not have access to the internet may make their reservations by calling the main church number, 254-780-1884 and leaving a message with the following information: Your Name, number of attendees and time (either the 9:00 AM or the 11:00 AM worship service). If there is availability for your request, Jerri will make your reservation for you. If that time is not available, Jerri will contact you for an alternate time.
During and After the Worship Service
We will not be taking the offering in the normal way, instead there will be baskets on tables as you enter the sanctuary for you to give your tithes and offerings.
We will enter and exit the sanctuary in an orderly fashion. Worshipers will be asked to dismiss by rows and sections. This will be accomplished by the Deacon Fellowship and Safety Team.
We will continue to live stream on Facebook the 11:00 AM service for those that do not wish the exposure.
Health Protocols
First and foremost, I want to encourage all “at-risk” members, those over 65, people with certain underlying medical conditions and those that are showing signs of illness to stay sheltered and in place until Phase Three of the Regathering Plan. You can still watch the Live Stream of the worship services.
As a service to others, I would ask that each of you “self-screen” before coming to the campus. The CDC guideline suggests that this self-screening includes:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19
Before, between and after the Sunday morning services, all the common spaces, including the sanctuary, will be sanitized.
The Future
This is only Phase One of Four phases. Therefore, many things that the church has offered in the pre-pandemic time, will not be offered during this Phase One of our regathering:
- No nursery
- No Sunday School classes
- No choir
- No Sunday or Wednesday evening services
- No bulletins
All announcements going forward will be made on Facebook, the website (lbcbelton.org), “Lakeview Live” and through Realm. I notice that many have not completed signing up on Realm. Please take the steps to set up your account today so that you can be fully informed on all LBC announcements.
Please continue to be in prayer for our church, county, state, and nation. We will get through this together.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing each of you “Re-Gathering” on the 7th of June.
Pastor Bob