Reopening LUMC Phase I

Returning to In-person Worship

Phase I: One worship service (10:30) limited to 80 people

Social distancing continues to serve as a valuable tool in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and we are committed to doing our part by limiting numbers in our worship service to 80 (~30% of our sanctuary capacity) per the state guidelines.

Each member and guest entering Lakeside is required to wear a mask while inside the building.  This is our way of respecting each other and protecting each other simultaneously.

While physical contact is an essential part of human connection, for a season it will be limited at Lakeside to the boundaries of our family units.  Limiting the chance of cross contamination is important to Lakeside and we ask our members and guests to respect our “No-Contact” worship until further notice.  This means no physical contact with others in any way (handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, and hugs) from the time you exit your car until you return to your vehicle.  Please understand this guideline is difficult to monitor and we ask your help by not congregating in the parking lot until we know it is safe to do so.

We are looking forward to returning to worship in the building. However, if you feel uncomfortable returning to public gatherings and/or you are at higher-risk for the most dangerous effects of COVID-19 (65 years of age or older, especially those with chronic lung disease; moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; liver disease; or weakened immune system) we encourage you to continue worshiping with us online.

Our Cleaning Protocol

Chairs will be disinfected between services.

Hand sanitizer will be available at 3 stations in the building.

Door handles will be disinfected between every service.

Masks will be made available for any member wishing to wear one (volunteers and staff will be required to wear masks.)

Lakeside’s facility will undergo a professional cleaning before the 6/14/20 return to in-person worship.

Worship

Chairs will be arranged to ensure two chairs and one row distance between households.

There will be no passing of the peace.

The offering will be at the end of service, we will not be passing the baskets.

The congregation will be dismissed by rows by the ushers and we will have two exits to prevent crowding in the foyer.

Children’s Ministry

Lakeside Children’s Ministry will release a digital lesson on Sunday mornings. We invite families to bring devices and headphones so that students can participate in digitally during the sermon.

There will be no childcare provided. Families are encouraged to worship together.  

Activity bags containing will be available to be used during service and taken home afterwards.

Restrooms

Automatic paper towel/soap dispensers have been installed to limit contact with common surfaces.

Restrooms will have foot-openers to further limit contact with restroom door handles.

Ushers & Greeters

Ushers wearing gloves will open doors as needed throughout the service.

We will not be passing Connection Pads.

Refreshments

Refreshments will not be served during Phase I. 

The water fountains will not be available.

Communion, Baptism, & Funerals

Communion will be offered in prepackaged individual servings.

We will serve communion to individuals and families at their seats.

Communion stewards will be required to wear gloves.

Kneelers at the altar will not be available for prayer following receiving.

Baptisms will be offered upon request with the understanding that touch is required to perform the sacrament. If you would like to schedule a baptism, please contact the Pastor.

Funerals will be scheduled upon request through the Pastor.

If you have reviewed the plan and precautions Lakeside is taking and you are ready to return to worship with us, we ask you to walk through the following steps prior to each service:

If a member of your family is not feeling well, stay home. Take everyone’s temperature that will be attending service at home before worship. If any member of your family has a fever, stay home.

If you will be in contact with high-risk populations in the 48 hours following worship, please consider the risk to their health before attending.

This document will be updated as required.