While churches were not strictly forbidden from gathering, Liberty Hill had opted to suspend in-person gatherings and began holding remote services. On Monday, April 27^th, Governor Abbott issued an executive order allowing business to begin to reopen under certain guidelines. As we begin to get out and resume a more normal daily life in general, we have decided to also begin the transition into more normal church life as well.

Beginning Sunday, May 10^th, Liberty Hill will resume gatherings for Sunday morning services and Wednesday evening Bible study.

Sunday School resumed May 24th, in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00am.

Sunday Evening Bible Study resumes June 7th at 6:00pm.

Wednesday Evening Youth Activities (7:00pm) have resumed as of June 3rd.

All other events will remain suspended for now. Over the next several weeks, we hope to begin activities again as we determine the best and safest course of action to do so.

We WILL continue livestreaming the Sunday services and Wednesday Bible study.

If you have a condition that places you at higher risk from the disease, or just prefer to play it safe for now, please feel free to remain home. I do not want anyone to feel they are obligated to return to church in person at this time.

But for those who are able and wish to gather, we will be open with the following guidelines to help us all get through this time safely.

We all know that the Coronavirus can be spread to others by infected persons who have few or no symptoms. While LHBC will be mindful of federal and state laws and guidance, our aim is to take actions to protect our congregation, especially our at-risk population, and to be a comfort and support during this time.

These initial guidelines are taken from Governor Abbott’s executive order GA-18, issued on April 27, 2020 on religious services.

1. Hand sanitizer with be provided in the entrance. Please apply on entering the church and leaving. As always, wash hands frequently.

 

2. Say “Hello” instead of a handshake or hug. Maintaining good social distance (about six feet) is very important. Please keep at least 6 feet between you and fellow members.

 

3. Keep at least two empty seats (or six feet separation) between parties in any row, except as follows:

• • Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet separation) empty on either side
  • Two individuals who are not members of the same household but who are attending together can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet separation) empty on either side
  • Alternate rows between attendees (every other row left empty)

4. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask and want one, several ladies in the church are making some available. Make sure it covers your mouth and nose and wash after use in regular wash and dryer.

 

5. After service, a volunteer will wipe frequently touched objects such as door knobs, countertops, rails, pews, song books, etc.

 

6. Rather than passing the plate, Tithes & Offerings can be placed in the container at the back of the church. Members opting to remain at home can still mail in their tithes and offerings or deposit them directly to the bank in Moody.

 

7. For now, the only activities will be Sunday morning services and Wednesday evening Bible Study. All other activities such as Children’s Ministry, Nursery, Sunday evening service, Youth gatherings, Sunday School, Baptisms, Communion, and meal days will remain suspended as we devise means by which to reintroduce them with appropriate precautions.

 

8. If you are in a higher risk group, those who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes and feel more comfortable attending remotely for now, please do so.

 

9. We want to remind anyone with a cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell to please stay home.

 

10. These guidelines are ever changing. Please pray for our church and for us to all transition back to a normal in the next few months.

 

Liberty Hill Baptist Church is more than a building on a hill and gatherings. It is a family of people dedicated to following Christ, and dedicated to one another. We will be return to normal services and events soon enough. In the meantime, let’s be sure to keep one another close in our hearts.

Thank you, and God bless,

Pastor Marc

 

RESOURCES

The link to the live broadcast of church services can be found here: Liberty Hill Live 

RightNow Media: Get access to thousands of bible study videos on virtually any topic imaginable: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/LibertyHillBaptist (or Text “RightNow LibertyHillBaptist” to 41-411)

McLennan County Shelter-in-Place Order (PDF): http://co.mclennan.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/10076/McLennan-County-COVID19-Order-to-Shelter-in-Place-PDF—ADA

Family Worship resources from the Southern Baptists Texas Convention: https://sbtexas.com/church-ministries/adult/family-ministry/resources-for-families/

Catch up on reading through the Bible in 2020: https://fivedaybiblereading.com/

Free Resources from LifeWay: https://www.lifeway.com/coronavirus

Find School Meal Programs: https://sites.google.com/view/tx-food-resources/meal-finder-map-texas?authuser=0

List of Local Food Banks: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/tx-waco

Website with lists of local information, updates, and resources: https://www.actlocallywaco.org/cvresources/