Updated 11.07.20

What to Expect

What a strange and challenging time this is! As we joyously gather again, we also recognize that we will need to alter some of the ways we interact during our corporate gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time that we assemble once again, we will strive to make Calvary Fellowship Church a safe and healthy place for all our people, especially the more vulnerable. There are many differing opinions on what should and should not be done, so I’m asking all of us to acknowledge that we are a diverse spiritual family that is committed to honoring and loving one another, even when we may disagree on how to proceed.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”
(Phil. 2:1-4).

Below are our current tentative plans in moving forward. We emphasize the word “tentative” here. A decrease in the prevalence of Covid-19, together with changes in the government’s recommended guidelines, could lead us to make substantial changes to this plan. The same may be said if there is an increase. 

1) SERVICE TIMES & MASKS

Service Length will return to 90 minutes beginning October 18. 
We will continue to hold two services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
The 9:00 a.m. service is masks required for ages 11& up, with no exceptions.
The 11:15 a.m. service is masks optional. Although not required at the 11:15 service, we ask that you seriously consider wearing a face mask while in attendance in the building.

2) FAMILIES & CALVARY FELLOWSHIP KIDS CLASSES

All children are always welcome to join their families in the auditorium for the regular service. There are Kids activity packs available each week to coincide with the sermon notes. Calvary Fellowship Kids classes have resumed with limited capacity. More info on Kids Classes Here. We will do the best we can to limit the number who make use of these somewhat small spaces at any one time. 

3) LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE

We will live stream both services (including announcements, worship, preaching) beginning 10 minutes prior to the start times on YouTube. It will then be immediately available to replay at any time afterward. This is in recognition of the fact that many will likely stay home until they feel safer in venturing out into crowds, but this will not be a permanent practice. Of course, we will continue to provide a video and audio of the entire Sunday service on our website by the Monday following. 

4) COMMUNION & PRAYER MINISTRY

We will serve communion by means of self-contained packets of juice and bread. We devote the last 15 minutes of every service to prayer and prophetic ministry. Our prayer ministry team will wear masks as physical distancing is not possible during prayer ministry.

5) SOCIALLY DISTANCED SEATING & OVERFLOW ROOM

We are asking households to sit together and leave two seats between your group and others on the same row. Please be aware that this new seating arrangement limits the number of people who can be seated in the auditorium. We would encourage you to come early to secure seating for you and your family. 

6) SHARE LOVE NOT GERMS

We will do our best to maintain high levels of cleanliness throughout the building, with plentiful supplies of hand sanitizer. The staff and our volunteers will make generous use of disinfectant wipes to keep surfaces and other objects as clean as possible. We will modify the way we greet people when they arrive, avoiding physical contact while trying to be as hospitable and welcoming as possible.

We encourage everyone to continue to observe recommended wellness guidelines: wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, don’t touch your face, etc. We suggest that you avoid physical contact like handshakes and hugs and not congregate in close proximity with others either in the Lobby or in the Auditorium. We encourage everyone to exit the auditorium immediately following the service and visit outdoors in the parking lot. 

7) FOOD & DRINK

We will not be providing coffee or snacks in the near future. People are free to bring in their own coffee. We will close access to the water fountains but will provide water bottles in the Lobby.

8) STAYING HOME

We also urge you to stay home if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) OR if you have been in close contact within 14 days of someone who has tested positive or if you have been tested and are awaiting results OR if you are especially vulnerable and more susceptible to infection, we recommend that you stay home and avail yourself of the service Livestream.

9) FUTURE EVENTS

We will bring you additional information in the days ahead regarding other events and ministries at Calvary Fellowship Church. Check the events section on the website often. Our focus, though, at least for the foreseeable future, is on our Sunday morning corporate assembly and our community group meetings.

10) START TIME

I want to emphasize one more thing. Since we have limited seating capacity, we strongly request that you do everything possible to arrive on time, even a few minutes early if possible. We have rearranged our order of service in order that we may devote the bulk of our time together to the preaching of God’s Word, worship, and prayer ministry.

11) POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES

If you have attended any Calvary Fellowship event (Sunday Gatherings, Youth Ministry, Community Group, etc.) within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, please call (813) 752-5005 or email ministries@agcalvaryfellowship.com as soon as possible. Unless you provide us with written authorization to release your identity, we will keep your information confidential and help you to inform anyone with whom you were in close contact.  

IF YOU WISH TO BE NOTIFIED if there has been a positive case of Covid-19 in our gatherings, please use our Calvary Fellowship Church Fanpage to connect. This is how we will know who to contact. This information is voluntary and completely private.

12) PLEASE PRAY FOR US

Please pray for us, as we also are praying for you! This is a difficult season in our world but also in the church. Pray for the staff and elders of Calvary Fellowship Church as we navigate new territory day by day. Pray for us to lead with wisdom and humility. We love and care for you deeply and pray earnestly for the physical and spiritual health of the body.

We will continue to post updates here as needed, check back often.