Blog

Return to in-person worship

Dear Tabernacle Staff and Church Family,

During the last few months, you have tasked our committee to come up with protocols that would help keep our congregation safe in the face of COVID-19. We have gone through a long year of not being able to be face-to-face! Now, however, we are approaching the metrics originally set, and voted on, for returning to in-person worship. Thus, we propose that we re-start in person worship on May 2nd, at 30 percent capacity of the overall sanctuary. 

As we approach that week, we suggest that the church: 

Open up an online registration to help limit the amount of people in the sanctuary on any given Sunday. When registering, congregants would be asked these three questions::     

  • Have you or anyone in your family had a fever, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath in the past week?
  • Have you or anyone in your family been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks?
  • Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days?

If there is a “yes” answer to any of those questions, that congregant would be asked not to attend. We would suggest that registration would begin on the Monday before that weekly service and end on Thursday (or when capacity is reached).

Then, on Sunday morning :

We have a team check-in through one main door asking the same three questions. Again, if the answer to any three of these questions is “yes”, that congregant would be asked to leave the premises until they can answer no. Since congregants sign up online, the church will have access to a roster in case there is a need to notify others of a positive exposure. 

We also suggest: 

  1. We provide hand sanitizer stations upon entry.
  2. We ask that all family units stay distanced from one another. 
  3. Congregants would be asked to leave after worship without prolonged gathering and chatting.
  4. Face coverings required for anyone over 5.
  5. Guests should be encouraged to report to staff if anyone tests positive within 5 days after being in worship.

We are so excited that things are trending the right way! If this trend begins to trend back to over a positivity rate of 7.5 percent, we will have to shut down again until that specific spike subsides. Thanks to vaccines, good mediation efforts and the grace of God, we see the light at the end of this long tunnel.  As we navigate our way back into the building, we recognize the need for holy space while acknowledging that, even without the building, we have been God’s church throughout this pandemic year. As we move forward, may we do so with grace and understanding while cheering one another on as we live out God’s unique call in our lives. 

Your Covid Protocol Team
Mark Snipes, Jessica Corbitt, Lugene Fernald, Anita McCarty and Jerry Jones

Sabbath | April 11, 2021

We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.

We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest and worship.


PRELUDE

Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation.  You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.

Prelude Option 1: Easter Reflective Reading

Prelude Option 2: Musical Easter Reflection


COMMUNAL GATHERING

We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature!

Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)

Scripture Passage: Luke 24:13-35


CIRCLES

Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 24:13-35 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.

Circles Option 1: Bible Study Curriculum

Circles Option 2: Quickguide and Discussion

Circles Option 3: Intergenerational Activities


More Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.

Easter Sunday: April 4, 2021

We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.

We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest and worship.

After the Communal Gathering at 11am, you’re encouraged to drive up to the church to add to our flower cross on the front steps. Stay for photos and a time of outdoor fellowship if the weather is nice!


PRELUDE

Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation.  You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.

Easter Reflective Reading


COMMUNAL GATHERING

We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature!

Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)

Scripture Passage: Luke 24:1-12


CIRCLES

Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 24:1-12 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.

Circles Option 1: Bible Study Curriculum

Circles Option 2: Quickguide and Discussion

Circles Option 3: Intergenerational Activities


More Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.

Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!

Holy Week 2021

Holy Week is a special time in the life of Tabernacle, where we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Please consider taking part in our online services and coming for times of outdoor fellowship this week!

Find a few minutes each day to read through Understanding the Cross: a home-based Holy Week devotional based on Jesus’ “seven last words”. You can download a digital version or come pick up a paper copy at church on Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday: March 28 

11:00 AM – Worship with us on Livestream.

12:30-2:00 PM – Drive by the church to pick up a palm cross and a Holy Week devotional from the staff. Stay a few minutes to say hello outdoors if the weather is nice.

Maundy Thursday: April 1

7:00 PM – Zoom birthday party for Sterling featuring communion! April fools, it’s Maundy Thursday Zoom Worship. Maundy Thursday is about preparation and service.  Before this gathering you will want to prepare your physical space as well as your spiritual and mental being.  To prepare your space:  choose a quiet space in your home where you can participate in this Zoom meeting with as few distractions as possible.  You may want to light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of God in your space.  A piece of paper and a pencil or pen will be helpful to fully participate.  If you want you can prepare some food for a simple meal while we meet.  If we were together in one space we would be scattered among the Sanctuary eating hummus, grapes, pita bread, olives and carrots.  You will want to gather the elements for communion in advance—a cracker or a piece of bread and something to drink.  

Discussion Guide | Zoom Link

Good Friday: April 2 

12 PM – Noon Livestream service based on the Seven Last Words of Christ. Join us live or plan to watch later in the day with your family.

Easter: April 4 

6:00 AM – Check your email for a virtual Sunrise service that will feature music and celebration of the resurrection. If you’re not on our mailing list, sign up here.

11:00 AM – Easter Sunday service on Livestream including bread for the journey for Cung Thawng and Hlei lang.

12:30-3:00 PM – The flower cross will be out on the portico for you to come and add your flowers and take photos.

Sabbath | Palm Sunday: March 28, 2021

We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.

We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest and worship.

After the Communal Gathering at 11am, you’re encouraged to drive up to the church to pick up palm crosses and say hello!


PRELUDE

Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation.  You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.

Prelude Option 1: Prayers from Epiphany Gathering

Prelude Option 2: Lent Reflective Readings

Prelude Option 3: Prayer for the Dying


COMMUNAL GATHERING

We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature!

Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)

Scripture Passage: Luke 19:29-44


CIRCLES

Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 19:29-44 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.

Circles Option 1: Bible Study Curriculum

Circles Option 2: Intergenerational Activities


More Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.

Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!

Community Lenten Devotional: Week 5

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

March 17
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. In the United States we celebrate this day with corned beef and cabbage. Add some canned meat, or a box of potatoes, or something green to commemorate the day. Pray for those for whom holidays are just like every other day. Give thanks for the celebrations in you life.

March 18
Pray for all of our neighbors, the ones who partner with us in ministry by giving and receiving. Add some cans of vegetables to your bag. Think of it as sharing from your garden. Give thanks that you have more that you need from your labors.

March 19
Today is someone’s birthday. Put a cake mix or brownie mix or flour or sugar in your bag so that they can have a treat to share with their family as they celebrate. Give thanks for all your birthdays.

March 20
Today is Saturday, our food pantry and clothes closet are open.  Add some spices (anything you use regularly, even if it is just salt and pepper, or hot sauce), to your bag. Pray that these will add to the pleasure to someone. Give thanks for all the people who add spice to your life.

March 21 
Sunday is a feast day during Lent. Add canned fruit or fruit cups to your bag. Pray for someone for whom fresh fruit is a real treat. Give thanks that apples and oranges are often in a bowl on your table.

March 22        
Pray for someone who spends time on the weather. Put some lotion in your bag to soothe their skin. Give thanks for all of the things that soothe you body and soul April 23        Pray for someone who is sad. Add something to your bag that could bring a smile to someone’s face. A soft tissue, a bag of candy, a good tea bag, a bag of beef jerky, a nice bar of soap.  Give thanks for the little things that make you smile.

More about Community Ministry here.

Sabbath | March 21, 2021

We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.

We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest and worship.

We encourage you this week to participate in our Community Lenten Devotional.


PRELUDE

Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation.  You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.

Prelude Option 1: Prayers from Epiphany Gathering

Prelude Option 2: Lent Reflective Readings

Prelude Option 3: Prayer for the Dying


COMMUNAL GATHERING

We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature! This week we will take communion together at the end of the service. Please prepare bread and drink to remember Christ with us.

Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)

Scripture Passage: Luke 18:31-19:10


CIRCLES

Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 15:1-32 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.

Circles Option 1: Bible Study Curriculum

Circles Option 2: Quickguide and Discussion

Circles Option 3: Intergenerational Activities


More Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.

Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!

Going Deeper: Communal Grief Part 1

Rev. Jacque Green reflects on communal grief in light of a world dealing with Covid-19.

Articles and Books Mentioned in this Podcast:

  1. Doehring, Carrie. (2019). Searching for Wholeness Amidst Traumatic Grief: The Role of Spiritual Practices that Reveal Compassion in Embodied, Relational, and Transcendent Ways. Pastoral Psychology. 68. 
  2. Healing Our Hurts: Coping with Difficult Emotions, Daniel G. Bagby, 2013
  3. Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, David Kessler, 2019

Scripture References

  • When worried: Is 43:1–13; Mt 6:25–34; Php 4:4–7; 1 Pe 5:7
  • When lonely: Ps 73:23–24; Is 41:10; Is 49:14–16; Jn 14:15–21
  • When tired or weary: Is 40:28–31; Mt 11:28–30; 2 Co 4:16–18; Php 4:12–13
  • When discouraged: Ps 34:18; Ps 42:5; La 3:20–23; Ro 8:28–39

Spiritual Practices (not mentioned)

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, 2015

Sabbath | March 14, 2021

Today the time will change for Daylight Savings Time!

We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.

We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest and worship.

We encourage you this week to participate in our Community Lenten Devotional.


PRELUDE

Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation.  You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.

Prelude Option 1: Prayers from Epiphany Gathering

Prelude Option 2: Lent Reflective Readings

Prelude Option 3: Prayer for the Dying


COMMUNAL GATHERING

We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature! This week we will take communion together at the end of the service. Please prepare bread and drink to remember Christ with us.

Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)

Scripture Passage: Luke 16:19-31


CIRCLES

Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 15:1-32 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.

Circles Option 1: Bible Study Curriculum

Circles Option 2: Quickguide and Discussion

Circles Option 3: Intergenerational Activities


More Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.

Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!