I have looked forward to communicating the following information to you for some time now.  I am glad that we will reopen Sioux City Baptist Church for live services beginning Sunday Morning, May 24th at 10:45 am.  I sincerely appreciate your prayerful support through this time apart.  There are lessons we have learned through this that will go with us the remainder of our lives.

We will take a step-by-step and soft opening approach to help ensure the health and safety of our congregation and guests as we reassemble.  Obviously we are not "out of the woods" yet regarding COVID-19.  It is my prayer that the following timeline and plan will help us to get back to regular services at Sioux City Baptist.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, 2020

• Our Sunday Morning and Wednesday Night Church services will be conducted live in the Main Auditorium.
• Pastor will still broadcast his Sunday Evening Message on Facebook Live and there will still be Sunday School lessons posted on the Church Facebook page.
• No Nursery will be provided.
• There will be no Choir.
• There will be no Hymnals.  The words to the hymns will be projected onto the large screen at the front of the Auditorium.
• The start date for resuming Sunday School, Children's Church, Sunday Night services and other Church related activities is still to be determined.  Please watch for future notifications and announcements as we start more ministries back up.

We will exercise the following practices and protocols to curb the potential spread for the virus:

• The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are encouraged to wait to return until things are safer.  We want you here, but we want you to be safe!
• We do not want anyone to feel pressured to come before you and your family are ready.
• If you have been sick or come in contact with someone who has been sick in the last fourteen (14) days, please remain home.
• We will do our due diligence to clean and sanitize all areas used prior to every service.  I appreciate our cleaning crew.
• Exercise proper handwashing practices.  Sanitizer stations will be available once you enter the Church building.  You will need to use these stations prior to being seated in the Sanctuary.
• This situation has been a good reminder that if you are not feeling well you should not attend.  This will be especially important in the Nursery and Children's Ministries when those resume.  I trust that those of you with children in this age range will strictly follow the guidelines that have been communicated to you.  If your child has run a fever within the last 24 hours, please keep him or her at home for the well-being of workers and other children.
• If you have been sick or come in contact with someone who has been sick in the last fourteen (14) days please remain home.
• Shaking hands, hugging, etc. is discouraged until we return to regular services.  I can't believe I'm saying that, but it makes sense.  Social distancing must be observed.  You must remain six (6) feet apart.
• We will not serve coffee and donuts as normal.  I'm not sure how some of you are going to survive this one!
• Some may choose to wear masks and gloves.  Please feel free to do so.  I'm sure we are all used to that by now.
• The doors will be propped open prior to the beginning of each service with Ushers assigned nearby.  You must enter and exit through these doors.  Ushers will escort you to your seat and immediate families will sit together.  At the end of the service the Ushers will dismiss you by row starting at the back and you are encouraged to exit the building promptly and not congregate.
• The offering plates will not be passed during the service.  Collection boxes will be placed at the back of the Auditorium for your giving.  We will have sets of Tithe Envelpoes in bags sitting on the Welcome Center.  I am thankful for the way that you have remained faithful in giving throughout our time apart.
• Restrooms will be available for emergency situations only.  Water Fountains will not be available.  Please plan accordingly and use the Restroom before you come.
• If you have a child that is having trouble sitting still, please take him or her to an Usher and they will escort you to an open room or Nursery.  Because we will not have a Nursery worker, the parent will need to stay with the child.  Because of social distancing we will need to limit the room to one family only.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in these matters.  I know all of us would prefer to "jump back" into services as normal, but these are unusual times.  We are taking a step in the right direction!  I look forward to seeing you in person!

For His Name,

Pastor Quentin Vaughn

Sunday School/Adult Bible Study    9:45 am

Sunday Morning Worship               10:45 am

Sunday Evening Worship                  6:00 pm

Wednesday Bible Study                    7:00 pm