Park Avenue Christian Church

CLICK HERE to go to our Facebook page to see live worship services

The live services will begin at 10:30am and you will see them on the Facebook page. If you do not, hit the “refresh” button on your browser and scroll down and you should find it. If you don’t see it come up, go to our regular page link and scroll down. You can do that here: https://www.facebook.com/paccdoc/

At Park Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we believe that we are called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ’s love with all people.

Interim Pastor – Tim Johnson

 May I introduce myself, I am Tim Johnson, and I am the interim minister for PACC as the congregation initiates and then finalizes their search for a new, settled pastor.  I have worked with nine previous congregations during their searches, and I have served full-time congregations in Iowa (Troy Mills, Mason City, Adel, Perry), and in Illinois (Coldbrook near Cameron).

Since I retired from Perry Christian Church in 2015, I have served interim positions in Oskaloosa,  Des Moines/Wakonda, Mitchellville, and Des Moines/Capitol Hill.  I turned 70 years old last week. Mary Kay, my wife, and I live in Norwalk with our Golden Retriever, Dory.  We have two sons, Christopher (Penelope) in Montrose, Colorado, and Eric (Misti) in Urbandale.
PACC has hired me for 25 hours/week and I'll be in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays as well as being here for worship on Sundays. I hope you have been watching our live, worship services on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES:

In person worship and Online worship will open starting Sunday April 11. Be sure to make your reservation and review the COVID re-opening guidelines below.

You can learn more about our worship service formats here!

Sunday Worship Times and COVID Re-Opening Guidelines below

In person worship begins April 11, 2021 at 10:30pm, continued worship online at https://www.facebook.com/paccdoc/

GUIDELINES FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP, PARK AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

a. Masks are required over the nose and mouth at all times.

b. Social distancing is required at all times.

c. Each individual will have their temperature taken prior to admittance with a handheld, touchless unit. A temperature reading under 100 is required.

d. Reservations are required. Up to 17 reservations are available, each allowing for seating from one to four persons. Contact tracing information will be collected each week when reservations are made. Please call 515-288-1914 to make your reservation.

e. Greeters will confirm reservations, take temperatures, and that masks are worn upon entry. Ushers will ensure seating placement and social distancing upon coming and going.

f. Only the sanctuary and restrooms on the narthex level will be available for entry. (Balcony and nursery will not be available.)

g. Worshipers will enter at the east entrance and move directly to the sanctuary where the ushers will help them find their seats. Lingering in the narthex is discouraged.

h. Pews will be taped off to indicate where seating is allowed and where it is prohibited, to allow for social distancing. The ushers will assist in directing you to your seats, working from the front to the back of the sanctuary.

i. The middle aisle will be restricted for the pastor, elder, and anyone else involved in the worship service.

j. Announcements, as well as joys and concerns, will be presented by the elder and pastor.

k. Offering plates will be outside the sanctuary. Tithes and offerings can be placed in them as worshipers enter or exit.

l. During the welcome, worshipers will be asked to remain in their pews – no handshakes or hugs. Families, please assist your children in following our guidelines.

m. Music will be provided by the organist and soloist in the chancel area at a distance from the congregation. Congregational singing of hymns will be added at a later date.

n. There will be no Bibles, hymnals, attendance pads, or pencils in the pews and no children’s bags offered. This will eliminate having to disinfect these items each week.

o. At the end of the service, ushers will release worshipers to exit the building.

p. Alternative practices may need to be implemented as we learn what works well and what may not.

q. In the event of a positive Covid-19 case among worshipers, please contact Park Avenue Christian Church (515-288-1914) and the staff will make contact with everyone who was in worship with the infected person. PACC leadership will make a decision about cancelling in-person worship for a period of time.

We understand that some of you are not yet comfortable returning to in-person worship. Please, continue to worship on-line with us as worship services will be broadcast live and posted on Facebook.

Thank you for your patience as we work through this reopening in a manner that emphasizes the safety of our members, worshipers, visitors, staff, elders, diaconate, musicians, and technical operators.

Approved by PACC General Board on March 23, 2021.