Online Church Services

Several PCUSA churches in our presbytery have livestream of their worship services available on Facebook or other platforms. We are aware of the following churches that offer Livestream and will plan to continue livestreaming services on Sundays so their church members can participate in worship from home:

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March 13, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

At its meeting on March 11, 2020, the Executive Council of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley had a very lengthy conversation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. We discussed how our churches might be most faithful in responding to this crisis in our communities. We are aware that these events are causing great fear and anxiety among us, as we are uncertain of what we may face in days and weeks to come as more cases of the virus are diagnosed in Alabama. Today, our State Department of Health confirmed the first known case of Coronavirus in Alabama. They also said that as testing becomes more widely available, we should expect that there would be additional cases confirmed in our state.

With increased concern after today’s announcement of an identified case in Alabama, we are recommending that our churches cancel in-person worship effective immediately and continuing through the end of March.  Some of our churches have already made this decision and are also canceling all group activities on site at their churches. At the end of March, churches can reassess the situation in our communities and decide if closure needs to continue or if we can resume regular activities. Several PCUSA churches in our presbytery have livestream of their worship services available on Facebook or other platforms. We are aware of the following churches that offer Livestream and will plan to continue livestreaming services on Sundays so their church members can participate in worship from home:

If your church plans to continue gathering for worship, we recommend the following practices to protect the health of our congregations:

  • Having greeters wear gloves as they hand out bulletins at the door;
  • Eliminating the Passing of the Peace and handshaking at the door following worship;
  • Eliminating the passing of Offering plates but having people at the doors on exit holding the plates for people to drop to accept donations;
  • Eliminating a common cup if communion is celebrated by the method of intinction;
  • Removing soft toys and books from nurseries where small children might put them in their mouths;
  • Having hand sanitizer widely available in the church building and increasing cleaning frequency in church buildings.
  • Encouraging members to stay home if they feel sick or are anxious about coming to worship and other activities.

It is also very important that we continue to care about one another and the most vulnerable in our communities during this crisis. We encourage churches to think about how they will continue to provide pastoral care to one another. We also encourage churches to consider ministries of compassion and assistance to our most vulnerable populations:

  • older adults and those with chronic health issues who may fear going into public places but will need assistance with shopping, etc;
  • Public school children who depend on free breakfast and lunch programs who will be in danger of food insecurity if schools close for a long period of time;
  • Older and disabled adults who depend on Meals on Wheels and other programs for food

We encourage our members who are healthy to find ways to volunteer in your church or community to be of service to the most vulnerable among us.

Finally, I close with this prayer for this time in our lives together as the Body of Christ:

Our Gracious God: We praise you for the beauty of the creation in which we live. We praise you for your goodness to us, your steadfast love and mercy and your unending grace. We come to you today in a time of fear and anxiety. We watch with sadness and growing concern the Coronavirus pandemic affecting so much of our world. We pray for all of those who are ill around the world because of this virus and we ask for your healing power to be at work in their bodies and their lives. We pray for all of those who grieve the loss of loved ones who have died because of coronavirus and ask that you give comfort to their loved ones. We pray for all the first responders who are working on the front lines of this crisis: doctors, nurses, medical personnel, researchers and public health officials, and we pray for your wisdom, strength and guidance for those who seek to provide relief. We pray for the most vulnerable of our neighbors, locally and globally, who lack adequate health care, income, and support systems in this time of crisis. May we practice compassion and reach out to those most in need in our community to provide help as we are able. We pray that you will calm our fears and quiet our spirits. Remind us that you are with us in every moment; that your Holy Spirit never leaves us or forsakes us. Remind us of the truth that is our comfort in life and in death: “that we are not our own, but belong body and soul, both in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” (Heidelberg Catechism) Help us to love you and to love each other well in the midst of our fear and anxiety. May we continue to praise you for the goodness of your creation, the abundance of your love, and the peace we have that passes understanding through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grace and Peace to you,

The Rev. Susan A. Clayton, Chair of Council                 The Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall, Interim Presbyter

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