Until further notice, based on current state and county pandemic guidelines, we are holding outside services now in the back parking area. Safety is a top concern, and we have implemented some of the strongest precautions available to us: everyone properly wears masks at all time, households separated 6 feet or more, temperatures taken upon arrival, all seating disinfected before the service, and more.
Posted: September 29, 2020
Sadly, San Bernardino County’s numbers did not meet state criteria to move into the next phase and so the church will remain closed for at least the next 2 weekends (October 3 and 10).
Posted: September 22, 2020
The State of California has created a new color phase system. For the church to re-open again, the county needs to hit certain target criteria to be in the RED phase. It must hit those targets for 2 weeks straight. It has done so for one week already.
Posted: August 5, 2020
The State of California has ordered that all churches close again until further notice.
Posted: June 10, 2020
GOOD NEWS: We are going to re-open this weekend! BAD NEWS: There are currently a LOT of state-required restrictions on churches.
I know these are not very church-friendly, but it is what the state requires of churches which open right now. Tough as they are, we ask that everyone abide by them. I also realize that one or more of these restrictions will continue to keep people at home watching the service online (ColtonChurch.tv).
I can’t wait to see our entire church meeting together once again … but it could take a few weeks until more and more of the restrictions are lifted. We are hoping as the weeks progress from here, the state department of health will revise its guidelines. Until then, however, we are operating under the following restrictions:
* We encourage anyone who is feeling unwell, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or at increased risk to please join us in worship online from your home.
* No individuals may enter the building except on Saturday for church and the designated cleaning crew on cleaning days.
* Designated church members will enter the church first to set up the church. A designated church member will then take the temperature of any guest wanting to enter when the sanctuary is ready. Those with a temperature over 100*F will be asked to join us in worship online from their homes.
* Guests will be ushered to their seats by a designated church member. No one is permitted to enter before their temperature has been taken, and they must be ushered to their seat by the designated usher.
* We discourage any gathering in the common areas.
* We ask that congregants from different households keep a social distance of 6ft. Handshakes, hugs, high-fives, and similar greetings that break physical distancing are discouraged during this time.
* Congregants must wear facial coverings (that cover their mouth and nose) while attending services.
* We encourage hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs.
* When the service is over, we ask congregants to exit the building. Those wishing to fellowship may do so outside the church.
* The Pastor’s office, children’s room, and storage are currently closed except to the Pastor and cleaning crew.
* During this time, we will not be having snacks during fellowship times. Therefore, we ask congregants to refrain from bringing such items to share.
* There will be no childcare during this time. Therefore, children are asked to remain with their household/family during the service.
Please keep checking this page for updates!
Pastor George
Posted: May 29, 2020
Our Executive Council met on Tuesday evening to consider our church’s response to the state’s decision to allow churches to begin opening. The team wrestled with trying to balance the desire to a) resume physical services again, b) respect the state’s guidelines and restrictions in order to open (Romans 13), and c) protect our congregation’s safety and welfare as we return to our “new normal”, whatever that may be.
After praying for divine wisdom and discernment, we discussed both the federal CDC guidelines as well as the brand new state guidelines released on Monday. The state guidelines and restrictions are quite stringent, and the state’s dept. of health will be revisiting those guidelines in three (3) weeks as they better gauge their effectiveness. It was uniformly agreed by all present in the meeting to also set a target date of 3 weekends from now as well.
So, we have set a target re-opening date of June 13. The required safety materials have been purchased to prepare for this target date. We will be in a better position to know more specifically what that service will look like for Maranatha after watching how other churches have fared for the previous 2 weekends. Again, while we don’t yet know what to expect, I do promise that we will share those decisions right here as we make them.
Bottom line: While there is no reason to rush our opening, rest assured that we are determined not to open one Sabbath later than we have to, and not one Sabbath sooner than we should!
One final thought: This pandemic, and the nation’s response, has become quite polarizing over the last few weeks. Some may choose to re-start worship the very first Sabbath we can. Others may choose to continue participating virtually for a while longer. Certainly, it should go without saying that no individuals or families should be “shamed” for the decisions regarding their own best welfare and situation.
May we choose to use this pandemic as an opportunity for our congregation to better encourage and support one another during this time of uncertainty that we still remain in for a while longer!
In His service,
Pastor George
Posted: March 23, 2020
We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation since our last communication. Due to recent developments including the declaration of a National State of Emergency and California Governor Newsome issuing a stay-at-home for the whole state, Maranatha will be implementing the following changes until state officials recommend otherwise:
Our services will be livestreamed only, with no in-person services taking place. Services will be streamed live on our Facebook page (facebook.com/ColtonChurchTV/) and YouTube channel (here) at our regular service time – 11:00 am. We encourage you to digitally join us in worship together. But if you cannot make it at our scheduled time, then you can always find the latest message in our archive page (maranathacommunity.com/message-archive/) along with our past video series as well.
All in-person activities and ministries at the church will be canceled at this time including our AWANA. We are working on providing children’s programming throughout the week, including family worship/devotional activities. In addition, Nicole is using the AWANA Facebook group (facebook.com/MCCAwana/) as a way to stay connected as a club. Currently, the AWANA leaders are encouraging book sections to be completed at home and memorization verses to be filmed on a digital camera and uploaded to the page. When we get back together physically, the sections you did at home will all be signed at once so you’ll be all caught up.
Our staff will be working from and the church office hours will be very limited. Maranatha staff will primarily be working from home and still be available by phone or email. Please reach out if we can assist you in any way!
We do not make these decisions lightly or out of fear but to help serve the community by preventing the spread of the virus. Times like these are a great reminder that the church is not a building, but the people who make up the body of Christ. We are still a community, we are still seeking God and his will, we are still helping people follow Jesus.
In fact, I believe that it could be “for such a time as this” that we will best shine as lights in our community. Consider one way you could love your neighbor (a call, a text, a hopeful post or reaching out to your neighbors). Instead of this deadly pandemic, let’s make the Gospel go viral through our words and deeds!
We want to continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus during these difficult times and would love to pray with and for you. If you have prayer requests, use our prayer request form (maranathacommunity.com/prayer-requests/).
Most of all —
Isaiah 41:10 [So] do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.