05/30/2020
Dear Church Family,
Yesterday, Governor Wolf announced that Allegheny County will be among the counties moving next Friday into the Green Phase of the state’s reopening plan. In response, we are planning to begin holding in-person Sunday morning services on Sunday, June 14th.
We recognize that it may take some time for many to feel comfortable gathering in larger groups. At-risk members especially should strongly consider not attending. For those unable to attend, we will be live-streaming the in-person services so that our entire church family can worship together, either in the Sanctuary or from home. We affirm each person’s decision regarding meeting in-person.
Due to the fact that social distancing will still be practiced during in-person services, there will be a limited number of seats available. To know how best to prepare, we are asking those planning to come to please sign-up for either a 9 or 11 a.m. service. Please sign-up on our website by following this direct link or calling the church office preferably by Friday, June 5th. Unfortunately, Children’s Church and childcare will not be provided for the foreseeable future.
A number of details are still being worked out. We will continue to keep you updated as plans are made. As always, please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.
In our ever-changing world, our hope and joy is Jesus! He’s not stressed out or worried over the chaos around us. May you find encouragement in this that will embolden you to engage our world in a life-giving way!
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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05/07/2020
Dear Church Family,
The Board of Elders and Board of Ministries met virtually on Monday evening to discuss plans for reopening once Governor Wolf moves our region from Red to Yellow. After prayerful discussion, the following plans will be enacted when the Red limitations are lifted:
- Due to the gathering limit being set at twenty-five people, Sunday services WILL NOT be held in person at the church. Services will continue to be available on the church Facebook page at facebook.com/DorseyvilleAlliance. Sermon notes for all ages will continue to be found under the Sermons tab on the church website at www.dorseyvillealliance.org/. While services will not be held in person, a step toward normal will be taken as the service will be streamed from the sanctuary with the full Worship Team leading worship. As gathering limitations are adjusted in the future, Sunday services will be held in accordance with government guidelines.
- Small group meetings of twenty-five or less WILL BE permitted in the church building, utilizing proper social distancing guidelines. Examples of small group meetings are prayer meeting groups, Tuesday morning and Thursday evening Discipleship Groups, FOCUS Student Ministry, Alliance Men and Ladies Gathering. Additionally, new Elder-led small groups will be created, of which more information will be forthcoming.
- While in the church building, guidelines for wearing face masks will be in conjunction with the most current government guidelines. If guidelines require the wearing of face masks in public spaces, no one will be admitted into the building without one. The church will provide masks to those in need, while supplies last. Should guidelines continue to suggest that face masks be worn, it will be strongly recommended to wear one out of love for your neighbor in order to protect others.
As this is a continually developing situation, this plan is subject to change. Our hope and prayer for us as a church family is to glorify God, grow in our love for Jesus and care well for each other and our world as we continue to navigate these days. As always, questions regarding this plan are welcomed by calling Pastor Mark at 412-799-1260. May the Lord comfort you with His Presence and encourage you as you trust in Him!
Blessings!
Pastor Mark and the Dorseyville Alliance Church Leadership
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3/30/2020
Dear Church Family,
As we navigate these days together, I trust that you are well in the Lord and finding joy in Him!
This letter is to update you on our response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In accordance with the new guidelines instituted by President Trump on March 29th, we are SUSPENDING ALL CHURCH ACTIVITIES AT THE PHYSICAL CHURCH BUILDING until at least April 30th. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as appropriate.
Thankfully, the CHURCH is not an institution nor is it limited to a physical location. The CHURCH is a living organism, made up of the People of God. As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:4-5, “As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (NIV). Despite the limitations of meeting physically, face-to-face, the CHURCH is still open and moving forward. In a very small way, we in America are experiencing what the Persecuted Church around the world experiences every day in their meeting constraints. May the Lord use this time to build us up together in Him and use us for His Mission on the earth.
As we begin to engage back into some of our meeting rhythms in virtual ways, let me encourage you to take advantage of them. Isolation from others is one of the great enemies to spiritual, emotional, mental, and even physical health. These are the next best opportunities to face-to-face.
As always, please call the church office, one of the Elders or Pastor Mark if you any questions, concerns or needs that we can help to meet.
Blessings!
Pastor Mark and the Dorseyville Alliance Church Leadership
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3/18/2020
Dear Church Family,
As we navigate these days together, I trust that you are well in the Lord and finding peace in Him!
This letter is to update you on our response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Elders met on Monday afternoon, March 16th, to formally act on recommendations from national, state and local leaders. As a result, we are SUSPENDING ALL CHURCH ACTIVITIES for a minimum of 14 days, effective March 16th. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as appropriate. As our District Superintendent Dave Nagel wrote regarding this decision, “We recommend this dramatic step, not out of fear, but out of respect for our leaders and for the benefit of our communities.”
During this time of social distancing, your church leadership is inviting you to prayerfully engage the following three spheres:
- Sphere 1 – The Dorseyville Alliance Church Family: Church leaders will be calling each family unit to offer encouragement and spiritual counsel, as well as to help meet physical or financial needs that arise in your life. The Church will only be able to minister to what is known, so we are relying on you to share! Additionally, we encourage you to reach out with phone calls, encouraging texts or notes to one another. A lack of physical presence should not limit our relational presence in one another’s lives. If you are struggling for ways to do this, daily challenges to engage with one another will be posted on the church Facebook page.
- Sphere 2 – The Local Community: Church leadership will be looking to respond to needs within our local community. Please call the church office if you become aware of ways the church may be able to step into community needs. One practical way is to support our local food banks in Indiana and West Deer Townships through donating 16 oz. cans (not jars) of pasta sauce, cream of mushroom or chicken soups, jarred or canned beets, instant oatmeal packs or variety boxes, pancake mixes, or any other nonperishable food items. Donated items can be placed in bins located under cover on the church porch. Checks made payable to West Deer Food Bank, or cash that will be used to purchase food, can also be mailed to the church office.
- Sphere 3 – The World: In response to our guest International Worker’s presentation on March 15th, we are looking to support her team’s work being done in the Southeast Asian country where she serves that has been severely impacted by Coronavirus. In order to help sustain the Kingdom ministry being done, we believe the Lord is leading us to contribute to this effort. Checks for this project, marked “Coronavirus Response,” as well as general giving to the church, can be mailed to the church. Giving to this special project will extend through April 30th, 2020.
Despite the suspension of church activities, we will be live-streaming a time of praise and worship and a message at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday on our church Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DorseyvilleAlliance. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can watch the video recording of the service at the same link as soon as it is posted in completion, at approximately 12 p.m. on Sunday. The audio of the service will be posted midweek here. You can also call the church office to request a CD copy of the service that will be mailed to you each week.
These days are unprecedented. There is no playbook for action. Please pray for our national, state, and local government leaders, as wells as our church leaders, that the Lord would pour out His wisdom. Also, be willing to extend Grace to all who are tasked with difficult decisions. At Dorseyville Alliance, we are seeking to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction. If you have comments, suggestions, or ways that we can serve you, please do not hesitate to call Pastor Mark at 412-799-1260 or the church office at 412-767-4600.
May the Lord grant you deep peace in these days and may He use you to share the Peace and Hope of Christ with others.
Blessings!
Pastor Mark and the Dorseyville Alliance Church Leadership
