We are so grateful that we are able to meet together publically for worship.  As we meet we are doing our best to be a public testimony to our obedience to God’s Word found in Romans 13:1, 2 Pet. 2:13.  We pray that all of us will do whatever we can to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” as we walk together through these times. The elders are keeping a close watch on government developments but for the time being, we have chosen to continue to meet as we have been meeting.  We continue public worship with the following measures in place accordingly. 

• Families may sit together in the lobby or in the worship center
• The lobby has video on screens of the service 
• The Governor issued an Executive Order (20-81) in July that is still in force,  which states; "people in Minnesota are required to wear a face covering in all indoor businesses and public indoor spaces. That Executive Order is still in place.  It includes exemptions for people who are unable to wear or tolerate a face covering due to medical or mental health conditions or other reasons."  We request that those who attend Beacon of Hope services wear a mask if at all possible, and if you do not, please be sensitive to those who are wearing masks and maintain social distancing.  
• Nursery workers and children 5 and under are exempt from wearing masks
• There are other medical exemptions (pregnant women, those with asthma, pre-existing conditions, etc.)
• Fellowship groups meet at 9am as usual with covid guidelines in place.

We are not an undiscerning congregation, nor are we passively or automatically complying with government orders – we, as your leaders, just do not see the requests by the Governor to be preventing us from speaking or preaching at all in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18).  Until that time we will gratefully continue to meet for worship with a hearts filled with joy and we will avoid complaining or grumbling at this momentary, light inconvenience.  May we all “be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!”

Yours for the Gospel,

Pastor Steve for the elders