COVID-19 Response & Update.

In-Person Relaunch!

June 7th

What to expect.

A commitment to Personal responsibility 
  • All staff, elders, and volunteers will be asked to make the following commitment of personal responsibility:

Cafè 
  • First Church Cafè will no longer allow self-serve drinks or food at the cafè. All food and beverages will be served from trained volunteer staff wearing masks and gloves to reduce any contamination. 

Common Areas
  • All adult classrooms, gym and student worship center will be closed during the Sunday morning worship gatherings. 
  • We have contracted with a medical-grade bio-decontamination service provider to clean and sanitize all surfaces in our campus facilities.
  • We will have hand sanitizing stations located throughout the building for everyone to use. 
  • Drinking fountains will be temporarily disabled and covered 
  • All items in pew backs will be temporarily removed.
  • The church will limit the number of common touchpoints throughout the facility and worship services including the passing of offering and communion plates, bulletins, and child check-in computers. 

Bulletins
  • All bulletins will be provided in digital format on the First Church app.
  • Volunteers will be available at the Hub to help attendees install and navigate the First Church app on their phones. 
  • An email will be sent to the congregation on Saturday mornings providing general information about church events and news.

Offering
  • Offering will be received via digital and physical drop boxes near the exits of Worship Center. 
  • Offering trays or bags will no longer be passed.

Communion
  • Communion will continue to be served every Sunday in the following manner:
  1. Communion will be prepared by volunteers in masks and gloves.
  2. Communion trays will no longer be passed during the service.
  3. Communion elements will be served at stations in two stacked cups containing the bread in the bottom cup and juice in the top cup. 
  4. Communion stations will be manned by volunteers in masks and gloves.
  5. Volunteers will place communion cups to be picked up at communion stations.

Children’s Environment
  • First Kids and First Years ministries will limit the amount of parents and family in the ministry environment. 
  • First Kids and First Years will have hand sanitizer in each classroom as well as sanitizer stations at ministry area entrances.
  • First Kids and First Years will sanitize ministry environments before and after services.
  • First Years will temporarily discontinue snack time.
  • First Years will modify common play areas and substitute toys between services.
  • First Years will provide individual craft supplies whenever possible.

Congregation
  • We are asking all worship attenders to refrain from physical contact with anyone other than immediate family members or those who arrived on campus in the same vehicle. 
  • We are asking all worship attenders to practice social distancing post-service in the gathering space, entryways, and other common areas.

Updates.

5.12.20
4.27.20
3.23.20
3.18.20
The Leadership at First Church has decided to move all of our regularly scheduled worship gatherings to our online platform this Sunday, March 22nd. We want to invite you to engage with us and join us on-line at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 4:30 pm at www.firstchurchok.com/live. We will prayerfully make decisions and let you know what we believe is best for Sundays to follow as the situation continues to develop. 
3.14.20
3.13.20
The Center for Disease Control along with the World Health Organization have identified the following as people at a higher risk of serious illness caused by COVID-19.
 
• Older adults, specifically over the age of 60
• People with serious chronic medical conditions like:
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
 
If these criteria apply, we recommend that you do not attend any large gatherings at First Church. This includes Sunday morning services, Midweek programming on Wednesday evenings or any special events. We also recommend that if you are the primary caregiver of anyone who is considered high risk that you also avoid large gatherings and services at First Church.
 
For anyone not able to attend in person, we are offering our full services online each Sunday at firstchurchok.com/live

Our Response.

As many of you already know, the on-going global health situation, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), has continued to develop, and we are seeing people respond in a wide variety of ways. Amidst the fear and anxiety surrounding our current situation, we believe that the Church is called be an example of God’s love and peace. We believe that we can live from a spirit of confidence, rather than a place of fear.
Ultimately we are placing our trust in Jesus above anything or anyone else. Thus, we are seeking Jesus for how to respond. We want to be diligent and wise in our response, but also not motivated by fear and anxiety.
While the current risk in our community is low, we also don't want to be dismissive to that pending possibility and have been making sure to be getting the latest information from our city and county with any guidance toward large group gatherings.

What are we doing?

These are regular practices we take here at First Church, and we are increasing our diligence due to the current situation:
  • Reinforced our health policies with our staff and leaders.
  • We are taking extra steps in our cleaning process to wipe down door handles, common areas, and common touch points throughout our facilities before and after every service.
  • We have placed extra hand sanitizers in common locations encouraging everyone to take the personal responsibility of managing their hygiene while on campus.
  • First Kids and First Years volunteers and staff will continue to disinfect and clean toys and classrooms after each service. 
  • Carefully watching the guidance from our city and county to determine the best course of action as things develop especially as they pertain to large group gatherings.

What can you do?

  • If you or an immediate family member has shown signs of sickness, please do not attend a church gathering until those symptoms are completely gone. Symptoms include but are not limited to: 
    • Fever
    • Wet Cough
    • Respiratory Issues
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
  • Please offer a fist-bump or air-hug in place of your handshake or embrace
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily

Stay Connected.

  • Watch live our complete service online at firstchurchok.com/live at 9:30AM, 11AM, and 4:30PM.
  • You can always catch up with our sermons online, in your podcast app of choice, or through the First Church App.
  • If you miss a Sunday and want to worship through giving, you can do so online: firstchurchok.com/give or in the First Church App. 

Have Questions.

While the extent and severity of the virus are still unknown, we feel these steps are helpful in preventing the spread of the virus. We have a high value for safety at First Church and appreciate your help in creating a safe space for children and adults. If you still have questions please let us know by filling out the form below.

Contact Us