June 8, 2020
My sisters and brothers in Christ:
Greetings in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
It gives me great joy to announce the resumption of our in-person worship at our sanctuary here at the Church of the Holy Spirit this Sunday, June 14, for the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eucharist. I am truly excited to see you all soon as it has been about four long months since our Sunday corporate worship in church was put on hold. This Sunday will be a very special day to mark the re-entry of God’s people in His sanctuary!
Other than Sunday services, our church, however, remained open. The vestry, our staff, our volunteers and your priests have been working diligently; had been communicating and discussing plans on how to do ministry during these difficult and trying times. Online Eucharist, Wednesday service, pastoral care, altar duties, office work, building/grounds improvement & maintenance, thrift shop preparation, and non-perishable food drive ministry did not stop. My heartfelt thanks to our dedicated and faithful leaders and volunteers who kept our ministries going.
Church finances has been a challenge but, God is good… you all responded generously! Your giving, your pledges and generous gifts have kept us afloat these past months and I thank you so very much! Though we continue to have a ten thousand dollars a month budget shortfall due to loss of income from rental, thrift shop, Sunday plate offerings, fundraising events like golf outing, we are hopeful that our application for the government PPP loan ( payroll protection program) will get approved.
As we slowly but surely move forward to enter into this “new normal”, I ask that we all stay safe and healthy. For those who are able to come on Sundays, please follow the leadings of health and regulatory advisories. As a church, we will abide by the CDC guidelines the best we can and maintain social distancing, hand sanitizing, wearing of masks, sanitation of pews & other frequently touched surfaces, avoiding the use of communal worship books (so please bring your own if you have one, or use a printed booklet provided, plus, we will have the capability of projecting the service on a screen in church). There will be no Sunday School or coffee hour; and for now, we will target a 25% church sitting capacity, which is about 45-50 individuals.
For those who are unable to come as yet, please join us and attend service online on your TV sets, computers, i-phones or i-pads. Videos of the Sunday services will be available online on the Sunday afternoon after the service.
For any pastoral needs or if you need communion, please call the office or call me at (813) 992-4938.
Please note that we also plan on re-opening the thrift shop starting Thursday, June 18. So at this time, volunteers are being asked to sign-up for shifts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
May GOD’S love, grace, peace and mercy be with us ALL… forever!
To GOD be the Glory!
In Christ,
Father Ray
The Rev. Raynald S. Bonoan
Rector
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;” (Psalm 27:1,5)
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