COVID

Church Cancelled
Sunday, May 29, 2022

Because of graduation, the holiday, and a COVID outbreak the Sunday Worship Service for May 29th is canceled.

Take some time to go outside and explore God’s beauty in nature.  Take some music with you and worship our great God.  Read your Bible!  This is a great opportunity to spend some time applying what we have been learning in our current series of messages.

The church has become aware that one of the Worship Leaders in the May 22, 2022 Worship Service has tested positive for COVID. Current CDC guidelines suggest quarantine for five days if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID. Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for 15 minutes within 24 hours. A complicating factor is that singing increases that distance to 12 feet.

We ask that you please take precautions this week if you attended our May 22, 2022 Worship Service. You may contact a pastor or the church offices if you have more questions.

Sincerely,

Vineyard Church of Ithaca

Until notified otherwise, we will continue to hold in-person services on Sunday. However, in light of the current spike in COVID numbers in Tompkins County, we ask that those who do attend, continue to wear masks and observe appropriate social distancing. Senior citizens who are unvaccinated appear to be most at risk at this point. We therefore encourage members who fall within this demographic to exercise caution when deciding whether to attend service or not. May the Lord continue to bless you and give you peace during this difficult time. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact the church. God bless!

https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/factsheets/coronavirusdata#demographics

We as a church are following NYS guidelines as best we can.  The good news is most state guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 virus have been dropped.  Yeah!!!  Over the Summer we will be determining what that looks like in our “new” normal.  What old practices we will resume, and what new practices we will keep.  We may not get it right at first.  Please bear with us.

Vineyard Church of Ithaca is currently meeting in-person and online. To join us in-person we ask you to register in your Church Center app (ithacavineyard.churchcenter.com) or at www.ithacavineyard.org before you come. Taking into consideration differing feelings within the congregation and guidelines from the governor and CDC, certain precautions will be enforced when we meet.

Even while having in-person services in our building, we will continue to livestream the service for those who don’t yet feel comfortable meeting in-person 

Positive COVID test result:

As cases of COVID climb in our area, we have decided to ask anyone with a positive test to contact us immediately. In this way we can support you and your family while you are sick.

Also, if you have attended in-person services we would like to notify any others in attendance about possible exposure. If there is a positive test for someone who has attended in-person services we will have virtual-only services the following Sunday to allow for adequate quarantine. If this happens, we will communicate our virtual-only service via our weekly newsletter, email to those already registered, and posted on our website.

Precautions we are taking:

When we meet back at the church building we will be limiting the number of people in the sanctuary so that we can maintain 6-10 feet between people. To this end we will be requesting people register if they want to come to worship services.  There will be greeters at the door with a registration list. For Cornell students: we have a secondary location that will accommodate students. (see below)

The use of hand sanitizer and masks will be mandatory upon entry to the building.  You will also be asked if:

• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Been in a room with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test?
• Have a fever of 100.4 F or above now or in the preceding 72 hours?
• Have a cough?
• Have a sore throat?
• Have any unusual muscle aches?
• Have any difficulty breathing/shortness of breath?
• Any recent loss of taste or smell?

We’ll encourage social distanced fellowship while in the church building, but will not be providing any food or beverages. Per state guidelines we are allowed to have up to 150 people in the sanctuary.  Social distancing guidelines are being followed and children are welcome.  If you find the chairs too confining, please feel free to move them to a more advantageous social distanced position.

Children K-5th are welcome in their classroom during service. Please contact Amanda Grubb, amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org, for more information if you would like to participate.

These are all the things we are asking you our congregants to do. Please know that in addition to these precautions we are maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules and making sure everything is sanitized regularly. We trust that you are experiencing the Lord’s peace during this difficult time. Please let the church know if you have any needs.

Here is information to join us on Sundays via zoom:

Topic: Vineyard Church of Ithaca Worship Services
Time: This is a recurring meeting on Sundays at 10:00 am
Meeting Invitation Link: https://zoom.us/j/106523959?
By phone: 646-558-8656,106523959#, #, 899701# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 106 523 959
Password: vineyard
Here is a video if you need help joining us.

Cornell Students

Students (undegrad and grad) are an integral part of the church. We value your presence and look forward to fellowship, even as COVID and Cornell’s Behavioral Compact add some complications. While social distancing and masks are required for all participants, there is a special protocol for student registration and participation. Note that just because you register does NOT mean that you will be allowed to attend service in person.

Students are allowed to worship in-person in the cafe which will receive a direct audio and video feed from the main sanctuary (attendance cap 10). If and/or when Cornell moves into the orange or red zones in-person attendance is not suggested.

Thus, for any given Sunday, students must pre-register by 11:59 the Friday prior to be considered and will be notified with a confirmation for attendance on Saturday (otherwise you will be requested to join us virtually)
1. Download the “Church Center” App and find us (Vineyard Church of Ithaca)
2. Pre-register for the Sunday Worship Service by Friday at 11:59 pm and check the box for the Cornell Behavioral Compact
3. Await confirmation for in-person attendance
4. Only if you have received confirmation may you proceed to the in-person service otherwise please respect our request that you join us virtually

If you have any questions or concerns please email either angela.sorensen@ithacavineyard.org (Vineyard Administrative Assistant) or rcy22@cornell.edu (elder/Cornell Health Officer Liaison)

Vineyard Church of Ithaca is currently meeting in-person and online. To join us in-person we ask you to register online before you come. REGISTER HERE. Taking into consideration differing feelings within the congregation and guidelines from the governor and CDC certain precautions will be enforced when we meet.

Even after resuming in-person services in our building, we will continue to livestream the service for those who don’t yet feel comfortable meeting in-person

When we meet back at the church building we will be limiting the number of people in the sanctuary so that we can maintain 6-10 feet between people. To this end we will be requesting people register if they want to come to worship services.  There will be greeters at the door with a registration list. For Cornell students: we have a secondary location that will accommodate students. (see below)

The use of hand sanitizer and masks will be mandatory upon entry to the building.  You will also be asked if:

• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Been in a room with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test?
• Have a fever of 100.4 F or above now or in the preceding 72 hours?
• Have a cough?
• Have a sore throat?
• Have any unusual muscle aches?
• Have any difficulty breathing/shortness of breath?
• Any recent loss of taste or smell?

We’ll encourage social distanced fellowship while in the church building, but will not be providing any food or beverages until we progress through the NYS stages further. Per state guidelines we are allowed to have up to 150 people in the sanctuary.  Social distancing guidelines are being followed and children are welcome.  If you find the chairs too confining, please feel free to move them to a more advantageous social distanced position.

Children K-5th are welcome in their classroom during service. Please contact Amanda Grubb, amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org, for more information if you would like to participate.

These are all the things we are asking you our congregants to do. Please know that in addition to these precautions we are maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules and making sure everything is sanitized regularly. We trust that you are experiencing the Lord’s peace during this difficult time. Please let the church know if you have any needs.

Here is information to join us on Sundays via zoom:

Topic: Vineyard Church of Ithaca Worship Services
Time: This is a recurring meeting on Sundays at 10:00 am
Meeting Invitation Link: https://zoom.us/j/106523959?
By phone: 646-558-8656,106523959#, #, 899701# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 106 523 959
Password: vineyard
Here is a video if you need help joining us.

Cornell Students

Students (undegrad and grad) are an integral part of the church. We value your presence and look forward to fellowshipping with you all even as COVID and Cornell’s Behavioral Compact add some complications. While social distancing and masks will be required for all participants, there will be a special protocol for student registration and participation. Note that just because you register does NOT mean that you will be allowed to attend service in person. On any given Sunday there are 4 different possibilities, and things can change at the drop of a hat.

• a) for 2-3 weeks a month students will only be allowed to worship in-person in the cafe which will receive a direct audio feed from the main sanctuary (attendance cap ~ 20)
• b) for 1-2 weeks a month students will be allowed in the main sanctuary. On these Sundays students will be responsible for worship and A/V in order to maximize the number of students who may participate
• c) when Cornell moves into the yellow zone the cap will be dropped from 30 to 10
• d) when Cornell moves into the orange or red zones in-person attendance is not suggested

Thus, for any given Sunday, students must pre-register by 11:59 the Friday prior to be considered and will be notified with a confirmation for attendance on Saturday (other you will be requested to join us virtually)

1. Download the “Church Center” App and find us (Vineyard Church of Ithaca)
2. Pre-register for service on Sunday by Friday at 11:59 pm and check the box for the Cornell Behavioral Compact
3. Await confirmation for in-person attendance
4. only if you have received confirmation may you proceed to the in-person service otherwise please respect our request that you join us virtually

If you have any questions or concerns please email either angela.sorensen@ithacavineyard.org (Vineyard Administrative Assistant) or rcy22@cornell.edu (elder/Cornell Health Officer Liaison)

Vineyard Church of Ithaca is looking forward to the time when we can all come back together as a congregation and worship our great God together. The elders have determined that our first physical service will be on June 28, 2020. REGISTER HERE. Taking into consideration differing feelings within the congregation and guidelines from the governor and CDC certain precautions will be enforced when we meet.

We have been meeting in home groups the last few weeks. These groups will no longer meet. Instead, we encourage people to join us in person at the church.

Even after resuming in-person services in our building, we will continue to livestream the service for those who don’t yet feel comfortable meeting in-person 

When we meet back at the church building we will be limiting the number of people in the sanctuary so that we can maintain 6-10 feet between people. To this end we will be requesting people register if they want to come to worship services.  There will be greeters at the door with a registration list.

The use of hand sanitizer and masks will be mandatory upon entry to the building.  You will also be asked if:

• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Been in a room with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test?
• Have a fever of 100.4 F or above now or in the preceding 72 hours?
• Have a cough?
• Have a sore throat?
• Have any unusual muscle aches?
• Have any difficulty breathing/shortness of breath?
• Any recent loss of taste or smell?

We’ll encourage social distanced fellowship while in the church building, but will not be providing any food or beverages until we progress through the NYS stages further.

The 2:00 pm Vineyard Kids services will continue on zoom. Please contact Amanda Grubb, amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org, for an invitation if you would like to participate.

These are all the things we are asking you our congregants to do. Please know that in addition to these precautions we are maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules and making sure everything is sanitized regularly. We trust that you are experiencing the Lord’s peace during this difficult time. Please let the church know if you have any needs.

Here is information to join us on Sundays via zoom:

Topic: Vineyard Church of Ithaca Worship Services
Time: This is a recurring meeting on Sundays at 10:00 am
Meeting Invitation Link: https://zoom.us/j/106523959?
By phone: 646-558-8656,106523959#, #, 899701# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 106 523 959
Password: vineyard
Here is a video if you need help joining us.

Vineyard Church of Ithaca is looking forward to the time when we can all come back together as a congregation and worship our great God together. The elders have determined that our first physical service will be on June 28, 2020. REGISTER HERE. Taking into consideration differing feelings within the congregation and guidelines from the governor and CDC certain precautions will be enforced when we meet.

Beginning June 7, 2020 we are encouraging people to meet in homes together for worship services. Below we will have a list of homes that people have volunteered to open their home for small groups to worship together.

PLEASE CALL if you might come so they can judge if whether or not they have enough space. We don’t expect a problem but one never knows.

• West Side Altmann’s and Bree’s at 253A Iradell Rd, Ithaca, 14850 315-408-2142
• Northeast Ithaca Ying’s and Davis’s are hosting a group at 115 Winston Drive, Ithaca, 14850 607-280-4634
• Lansing McKay’s at 231 Conlon Rd, Lansing, 14882 607-793-4594
• East Side Mark Pettit at 180 Hunt Hill Road, Ithaca, 14850 (716) 378-3881

Even after resuming in-person services in our building, we will continue to livestream the service for those who don’t yet feel comfortable meeting in-person 

When we meet back at the church building we will be limiting the number of people in the sanctuary so that we can maintain 6-10 feet between people. To this end we will be requesting people register if they want to come to worship services.  There will be greeters at the door with a registration list.

The use of hand sanitizer and masks will be mandatory upon entry to the building.  You will also be asked if:

• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Been in a room with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test?
• Have a fever of 100.4 F or above now or in the preceding 72 hours?
• Have a cough?
• Have a sore throat?
• Have any unusual muscle aches?
• Have any difficulty breathing/shortness of breath?
• Any recent loss of taste or smell?

We’ll encourage social distanced fellowship while in the church building, but will not be providing any food or beverages until we progress through the NYS stages further.

The 2:00 pm Vineyard Kids services will continue on zoom. Please contact Amanda Grubb, amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org, for an invitation if you would like to participate.

These are all the things we are asking you our congregants to do. Please know that in addition to these precautions we are maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules and making sure everything is sanitized regularly. We trust that you are experiencing the Lord’s peace during this difficult time. Please let the church know if you have any needs.

Here is information to join us on Sundays via zoom:

Topic: Vineyard Church of Ithaca Worship Services
Time: This is a recurring meeting on Sundays at 10:00 am
Meeting Invitation Link: https://zoom.us/j/106523959?
By phone: 646-558-8656,106523959#, #, 899701# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 106 523 959
Password: vineyard
Here is a video if you need help joining us.

Vineyard Church of Ithaca is looking forward to the time when we can all come back together as a congregation and worship our great God together. The elders have determined that our first physical service will be on June 28, 2020. Taking into consideration differing feelings within the congregation and guidelines from the governor and CDC certain precautions will be enforced when we meet.

Beginning June 7, 2020 we are encouraging people to meet in homes together for worship services. Below we will have a list of homes that people have volunteered to open for worship together.

Altmann’s and Bree’s are hosting a group at 8354 Main Street, Interlaken
Ying’s and Davis’s are hosting a group at 115 Winston Drive, Ithaca

Even after resuming in-person services in our building, we will continue to livestream the service for those who don’t yet feel comfortable meeting in-person 

When we meet back at the church building we will be limiting the number of people in the sanctuary so that we can maintain 6-10 feet between people. To this end we will be requesting people register if they want to come to worship services.  There will be greeters at the door with a registration list.

The use of hand sanitizer and masks will be mandatory upon entry to the building.  You will also be asked if:

• Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Been in a room with someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test?
• Had a cough or runny nose?

We’ll encourage social distanced fellowship while in the church building, but will not be providing any food or beverages until we progress through the NYS stages further.

The 2:00 pm Vineyard Kids services will continue on zoom. Please contact Amanda Grubb, amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org, for an invitation if you would like to participate.

These are all the things we are asking you our congregants to do. Please know that in addition to these precautions we are maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules and making sure everything is sanitized regularly. We trust that you are experiencing the Lord’s peace during this difficult time. Please let the church know if you have any needs.

Hello VineyardKids Parents/Guardians …

Due to the current “stay home” initiative that is in place,
VineyardKids will be meeting weekly for an interactive Zoom meeting. Sunday’s @ 2:00 pm your child can join the class with us …just download the “zoom” app and send me a quick email so I can send the meeting link your way … amanda.grubb@ithacavineyard.org.

I look forward to seeing those smiling faces and teaching them more about the amazing Lord we serve!!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May Our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus keep you in Their perfect peace during this trying time. Vineyard Church of Ithaca would like to invite you to join us for a virtual time of worship together this Sunday at our usual time of 10:00am. Thanks to the hard work of Robin, Angela, Mike, and others we’ve arranged for the entire service (including worship, sermon, sharing time and communion), to be streamed live. You can join us through Zoom. This is a free service and will not cost you anything. We are using Robin Ying’s account so you will see his name when logging in.

For those with Zoom, the meeting ID is the easiest way to join us because it will take you straight into the video call. However, for those without Zoom, please use the following link as it is easier, since it will direct you to Zoom online. It is recommended that people who can download Zoom do so and then just login to the service through meeting ID.

Topic: Vineyard Virtual Service 3/22
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Meeting Invitation Link: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/8847596532
By phone: 646-876-9923, 8847596532#
Meeting ID: 884 759 6532
Here is a video if you need help joining us.

Mike and Marsha Heisler have made their home available for those who would like to worship together with them Sunday morning. All are invited. They live at: 221 Asbury Rd, Lansing, NY 14882. Mike’s cell# is: (607)227-6791. Please call to let them know if you plan to join them.

We will be sending out regular updates by email through our newsletter, and posting them on our website. Please make the church aware of any needs that you have. God bless!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit…” -Romans 15:13

Hi everyone!

I hope that you all are well. We’re sending this message out to the congregation in order to let you know what we’ll be doing as a church to respond to the current situation involving the coronavirus.

From the best available information that we have it seems that by the end of this week the local health department will have a better idea as to just how serious the situation is in the Ithaca area. Until that time, I believe that one way we can love our community is to limit public gatherings and so help slow the possible rate of infection or “flatten the curve” and so prevent any potential for our local health care system to become overburdened.

Because of this, the elders have decided that this coming Sunday, March 22nd, rather than holding our usual public service, we will be livestreaming our worship, sharing and message.  Instead of coming to the church building, therefore, we are encouraging you to gather on Sunday morning in small groups and participate through livestream.  We will be posting and emailing the list of sites for these meetings later in the week, when it is finalized.

We will be using Zoom to livestream our Worship Service.  We’re going to do our best to make this an interactive experience. Information on how to log-in can be found at our website.  

Whether this is an overreaction I hope will be made clear by the end of this week. At that time, the elders will evaluate the situation and decide whether we go back to public worship (while taking certain precautions) or whether we continue livestreaming Sunday gatherings. At some point, I believe that we will just need to get on with life and not allow circumstances to prevent us from continuing to meet together and worship God.

I appreciated Thomas Flood’s exhortation on Sunday for us to not let our faith in our Heavenly Father be overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. God’s people through ages have often faced difficult times and indeed Jesus reminded us that in this world we will have suffering. What matters is how we respond to that suffering. Will we respond with fear, or with confidence and trust in our heavenly father and love to those around us? This is a wonderful time for us as the Church to be salt and light to our community and be a visible example of the hope and life, that can be found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Him,
Ward Davis