Hi, Powell Church. Denna Hornby here. We have been closely watching the impact that Covid is having in our community and in our church. Knox County Schools are meeting entirely virtually for the remainder of the school year. We are consulting the Harvard University metric for Covid suppression which shows that our numbers are increasing at an alarming rate. Knox County is experiencing over 500 new cases daily, and last week the Knox County Board of Health voted to pass a social gathering limitation regulation limiting some social gatherings to 10 people. Although churches were technically excluded from this, when considering known exposures in our church and Covid cases in our worshipping congregation, Pastor Brad consulted church staff, and administrative councils of our church, and together, we made the difficult decision to worship virtually until the new year.
Sunday morning worship will continue to be online via Facebook and Youtube at 9am. We invite you to invite a friend, and start a watch party so that virtually, together, we experience worship.
Christmas Eve services will be online also, and our tech team is working hard to make sure you have an online Christmas Eve experience like no other. I think you will love gathering your family on Christmas Eve as Ms. Frankie reads the Christmas story, as we celebrate the sacrament of Communion, light the Advent Candles, and celebrate the birth of our Savior. The Christmas Eve service times will remain the same and premiere on Facebook and Youtube at 3pm and 5pm. And if you you miss either of those times, the service will be available to watch anytime after that 5pm service. You can even watch multiple times!
We also understand that the holidays are a serious struggle for many of us as we deal with our losses, our addictions, and our stuff. Therefore, Recovery will meet at it’s usual time of 6:30pm each Thursday along with a Facebook live stream.
Whether we are in person or safer at home, you have definitely shown what it is to BE the church. We exceeded our goals for this year’s Thanksgiving AND Christmas Basket ministry, we sponsored all of the children for this year’s Angel Tree Party goal, helped our friends in Guatemala and Haiti, and so much more. You did that Powell Church. Thank you!
These decisions did not come easy, and we ask for your prayers and support as we continue to Be the church in the middle of a pandemic. Pray for your pastors and church staff, for your church, and for your community.
Merry Christmas, friends. May the hope, peace, love, and joy of Christ fill your hearts and lives this season.
