Gateway Family,
In the face of the global pandemic brought on by the novel coronavirus, all services at Gainesville Middle School were put on hold. Initially GBC moved worship services to a virtual platform on Sunday mornings on YouTube. As the weather warmed up, and Prince William Public Schools allowed use of outdoor areas, we began to meet at Gainesville Middle once again. We enjoyed in-person, physically distant, outdoor worship services for a few months.
Beginning Nov. 7 - Indoor and In-person
In October 2020, we began reaching out to local ministries and organizations that might be able to let us use their facilities whenever they are not in use. A ministry located in the Vint Hill Community of Warrenton, Hope Christian Fellowship, graciously offered use of their facilities whenever they are available.
Beginning Nov 7, we will be meeting on Saturday evenings at 6pm. The address for HCF is 4173 Bludau Dr, Warrenton, VA. With meeting in person, we are required to follow state guidelines for indoor worship gatherings.
- All facilities will be completely sanitized both before and after use.
- We will encourage everyone to sanitize upon entering the building.
- Face masks are required at all times while in the building. The only exception is for those on the stage during worship and teaching times.
- Every second row in the worship auditorium will be closed off and two seats between each family group in each row will remain empty. This will allow us to maintain the required 6 ft. of distance between families.
- We ask that you monitor any symptoms you or a family member may be experiencing and do a temperature check before leaving the house. When Kids Ministry begins again, we will be checking temperatures (contact-free) of all children entering the nursery and a contact-free infrared thermometer will be available for anyone that needs it. We ask that anyone experiencing cold/flu symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea, or fever stay home and join our service virtually.
A few things moving forward. First of all, I want to ask you to pray. Pray for our country and the world as we navigate this new normal. Pray for key leaders making decisions that impact people in a lot of ways. Pray for the sick and the families of those who have lost loved ones. And pray for the hope of Jesus to be the voice that is heard when the world is thrown into chaos and fear. Pray for Christians to share their faith boldly during these uncertain days.
And be encouraged. 1st Peter 5:7 reminds us: “Cast all your anxieties upon him for he cares for you”. Our Lord himself commanded us: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough troubles of its own” (Matthew 6:34). And John offered incredible perspective reminding us not to be afraid because “Perfect love casts out fear” (1st John 4:8).
You see, Christ-followers don’t panic or tremble like the rest of the world in the face of uncertainty or danger. We pray. We trust. We stand on the solid rock – the one and only foundation that cannot be shaken!
Please stay connected to our Connect Groups! We offer virtual and in person small groups that meet throughout the week.
I also want to encourage you to give online. You can visit www.gbcnova.com/online-giving or the Church Center App, to do that. I anticipate as the pandemic continues that God may challenge his people to step up and meet community needs as they arise. We have already met a number of needs from within out body as they have been presented to us. So please prayerfully consider how you might give!
If you have any questions or concerns please email me (pastorjacques@gbcnova.com) or another member of our leadership team. We will be in constant communication with you through email, our church website and social media as things change or new information becomes available.
Peace and Goodwill eh!
Pastor Jacques
on behalf of the Elder Team
Elders@gbcnova.com
