Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Portage Presbyterian Church Community:
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and peace!
As we continue to make our way in the midst of this "wilderness time" we continue to discover ways for us to be "God's people of joy and peace" and to be "in community" even when we are distanced from each other.
We have a great deal of information to share in our "Update" this time.
PPC's "Network Community" program continues to reach out with our Ruling Elders and Deacons serving as the "contact point" for all who are a part of this church community. We hope this continues to be a way to maintain our sense of community, as a way to relay information about what is happening here at PPC and to listen to what is happening in your lives.
We also have the "Upper Room" devotionals in the office. If you would like a devotional, please contact the Church Office and we will make arrangements for you to receive one.
As the businesses and other venues around us have "opened up" there have been questions about "when" or "if" we will be opening the church building for worship.
The Session has prayerfully and carefully been working through ideas about the possibility of resuming worship in the church building.Beginning on Sunday, June 28 we will move to a primarily "outdoor service" at 10:15 a.m. In addition to the "drive in" option (remain in vehicle), we will also have a "sitting in chair" option (bring your own chair).
In case of inclement weather (rain or excessive heat) - we will move the worship service into the sanctuary - following the guidelines established by the Session.
This next week you will be receiving in the mail the details and the guidelines which the Session will be using as we "open the building" for worship. Please read these carefully! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any member of the Session or Pastor Dave.We will continue to offer "live videos" of the Sunday morning worship services on PPC's Facebook page and via a program called "Zoom." If you are not able to watch the "live version" of the worship, you will find it on the Facebook page under "videos" so you can watch them when it is convenient or they are also available on PPC's "YouTube" Page ("Portage Presbyterian Church").
Thank you to Allison and Sarah who have been doing the videos for us from the beginning. Thank you to Lee Roundy who has served as our worship accompanist for the last few weeks. Thank you to Rev. Dr. Carol Hermann who has provided "pulpit supply" when Pastor Dave is on vacation.
We continue to mail our weekly worship bulletins to those who we are aware do not have "an internet" connection. If you did not receive this particular mailing, but would like to, please contact the Church Office.
Something NEW - the Deacons are working on a program to make "portable DVD" players available for those who may not be connected electronically - along with DVD's of the worship services. The DVD players will be easy to use and will include instructions. If you would like more information about this, just contact the Deacons or the Church Office.
More than just "Drive In Worship" - now "Outdoor" Worship weather permitting
We will continue to offer an "outdoor" worship experience on Sunday mornings. -"weather permitting!!!" We will continue to gather in the parking lot area immediately behind (on the south side) of the church building.
Our worship services this Summer will be offered at 10:05 a.m.
Why the change to "outdoor worship?" Because we are changing the service setting from just a "drive in" to a "drive in" + "sitting in chair" experience.
So, those who are interested can continue to "drive in" for the service.
And those who may be interested in "bringing your own chair" are encouraged to do this as well. If you are bringing your own chair - you may sit in a designated area or other areas - providing we observe a "safe distance" between families.
In the event that the weather does not cooperate, the worship service will move into the sanctuary, where we will observe the guidelines established by the Session.
We will plan to move to the NEW "outdoor" worship experience beginning on Sunday, June 28.Sunday - June 21 - "Informal" Worship
- We will share a "Live" Video Worship beginning at 10:05 a.m.
- "Weather permitting" we will also offer a "drive in parking lot" service in addition to our video service beginning at 10:05 a.m.
Sunday, June 28 - "Traditional" Worship
- "Live" Video Worship Service begins at 10:05 a.m.
- "Weather permitting" we will offer a "drive in - sitting in chairs" service in addition to our "live video services at 10:05 a.m.
The Staff:
You are always welcome at The Portage Presbyterian Church!
Pastor: David Hankins
pastordave@portagepresbyterian.com
Financial Secretary:
Tammy Kohnke
(Tammy is normally in the Church Office on Mondays)
Church Secretary:
Kathy Hankins
(Kathy is in the Church Office Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)
The Portage Presbyterian Church
120 West Pleasant Street
P.O. Box 222
Portage, WI, 53901
Phone: (608) 742-6006
E-mail: office@portagepresbyterian.com
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