To Jacksonville Presbyterian Church,
Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you! I cannot put into words how honored and thankful I am to serve as your lead pastor. I want to thank you for your ongoing support and to encourage you all to continue “keeping in step with the Spirit” as we face these unprecedented times. Now is not the time for fear, but a time to be praying for strength and endurance. What a blessing that we get to do this together as a branch connected to the life-giving Vine of Jesus Christ. The Father is indeed pruning us, and I have no doubt that we are being pruned so that we might bear more fruit!
With that in mind, I am sure you have heard Governor Brown’s latest directive,requiring masks in all indoor facilities. To comply with this order—and to love our neighbors who are most vulnerable—the elders and I have decided to take the following steps. This represents our “second gear” of reopening:
In this way, we believe are preserving our congregation’s “liberty of conscience” as well as staying in compliance with the Oregon Health Authority. I recognize this may upset some of you, but please know that it is a great comfort to me that many of you have reached out and expressed appreciation for our leadership team as we seek to follow Christ, honor the government, honor those who are most vulnerable, and maintain the loving fellowship of our church. I have no doubt that our church will rise to this new challenge and that you will “widen your hearts” and so prove your love for one another during this time.May we do so in hope, and in the power of the Holy Spirit!
For Christ and His Kingdom,
- Rev. Dustin Jernigan
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We are excited to be able to invite people back to worship in person. We hope that the live stream has been a benefit to you while we have been unable to meet in person.
We want to assure you THE LIVE STREAM WILL CONTINUE for those who are unable or not ready to come and join us at the building just yet.
We will begin to have services in our sanctuary on Sunday, June 21. There will be 2 services, 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The live stream will continue at 9 a.m. If you plan on coming to an in-person service, please know that the doors will open 15 minutes before each service. This allows for appropriate distancing during entering and exiting and time for cleaning to take place.
For children, we will be offering nursery and preschool care for children 5 and under at both services during the entire service. Jump Start will be available for children in K - 5th grade at the 9 a.m. service only. If you plan on bringing your children, please come a few minutes early to check them in.
Between the services, the building will be cleaned by a team of deacons and volunteers. We are aiming to follow the guidance from the Oregon Health Authority to the best of our ability. This will mean:
We realize things will be different now, but we hope you are excited about gathering as a congregation again! Also, to use an automobile analogy, this is our ’first gear.’ We can always add service times and do new things, like meet outdoors, should the need arise. And of course, we hope to continue growing as a church and reaching more and more people with the gospel.
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