Reopening FAQ

Indoor Service FAQs

What time are services?
Indoor services are at 8am and 10am at the North Liberty campus.

Why did we move services inside?  
We moved services inside due to the cold weather that will be with us soon, and we want to continue to move towards being back inside our building using it for His glory.

Are children's classes offered?
We're offering nursery and two-year-old classes on Sundays. As we’re able, we’ll add more age appropriate classes back as well. This will be determined by how many children come to services and the number of people who volunteer to serve and disciple our children well.

Do you need my help to pull this together? What should I do if I want to help?
We definitely need your help! We’re looking for volunteers to serve as greeters and in our nursery and two-year-old rooms. Those are the biggest needs for sure right now. You can contact our office to volunteer at office@graceb3.org or call (319) 626-2040. Serving frequency is flexible, so you can volunteer to serve once a month, a couple of times a month or every week. We have room for you to serve.

I want to volunteer. Who should I talk to?  
Thanks for wanting to help! Let us know your preferences by completing our reopening volunteer interest form, or send us an email at connect@graceb3.org.

Registration/RSVPs

How will registrations/RSVPs work?  
Registrations/RSVPs for North Liberty Services open on Monday of each week, for the following Sunday to assist the church in conforming with state guidelines for reopening. All regular attenders are being asked to register for the service they plan to attend. Visitors to Grace will be able to "walk in" and won't require a registration in advance.

How do I register for a service?
Once registrations open you can register for your service by visiting the the Grace events page and clicking on the 'RSVP for indoor service' icon. This will take you to the page to register for a service. Please make sure to share the number of people who will come with you, including children.

Can I register/RSVP for a service by calling the Office?  
Yes, you can call us at 319-626-2040 and register for the next Sunday service.

Can I register/RSVP for services multiple weeks in advance?
No, at this point in time we're only taking registrations for Sunday services one week at a time.

Arriving at Grace

Will parking look different than normal?  
No, parking will look the same as it has in the past. Please respect other attenders social distancing preferences, and ask others if you aren't sure about their comfort level.

Do I need to arrive earlier than normal to get a seat? ​
Yes, because of the precautions for public health you will need to arrive earlier than normal to be seated before the service starts. Please arrive 10 - 15 minutes before the service starts to be seated.

Finding your Seat

What door should I enter? Will there be a line to get inside?
You can enter through the main front entrance. Depending on when attenders arrive, and the number of people attending service, there may be a line at the door. Please practice social distancing while waiting to enter the building.

What will happen when I get to the main entrance doors?
You will be asked to show your RSVP confirmation email at the door. Afterward you'll head inside and wait near the auditorium doors until an usher can seat you. Then your party will be escorted to your seats by an usher. Please wait at the designated spot in the foyer until an usher comes to help you to your seat.

How close will I be to others around me once I’m seated?
All attenders will be seated at socially distant seats with alternating empty rows and empty seats between each party. Please be considerate of others around you, and ask other attenders about their comfort level for interaction before approaching them.

During the Service

Will indoor services look different from what I remember them being?
Yes and no. You will still be greeted by people who are excited to see you each Sunday, and we will still be singing, praying, and hearing the teaching of the gospel straight from God’s word. We will also continue to offer online equipping classes this fall.

Due to the Johnson County face covering regulation, and to be loving to those around us, we will be requiring masks while we are indoors, unless you have an exemption from having to wear one. You will notice the chairs in the auditorium being spread out to give people the opportunity to socially distance.

We hope to have classes for nursery and two-year-olds on Sunday mornings. For families with children 3 and up, both services will be family-sit-together in the auditorium. Our Children’s Ministry team will have resources for the kids to use in the auditorium each Sunday. So there will be some differences, but mostly things will feel the same as before.

If I have a concern about someone near me what should I do?
Seek out an usher or greeter near you and share your concern.

Health & Safety

Do I have to wear a face covering to attend service at North Liberty
Yes. Face coverings are required for both 8am and 10am services. You must wear a face covering (mask or face shield) upon entering the North Liberty building.

Will my child have to wear a mask?
Probably. All persons ages 2+ must wear a face covering (mask or face shield) upon entering the North Liberty building to comply with the Johnson County Board of Health mandates.

Why are face coverings being required?
We are requiring face coverings to be worn for the glory of God, in this season, to demonstrate love to those who are trying to stay healthy or who are attending live services and have underlying health conditions. Further, we want to be a good witness to our community by obeying the laws of the government that God has put in place for us at a local, county, state and federal level.

What if I am medically exempt? Will those without a face covering be asked about their exemption?
If you are exempt, you are not required to wear a face covering on Sunday mornings at Grace Community Church, and you will not be asked about your exemption. We trust that only those with exemptions will abstain from wearing a facial covering, and ask attenders to assume the best of others who are not wearing face covering during service.

What health precautions is the church taking in the auditorium?
We are taking several steps to help ensure attender safety including socially distant seating and specialized sanitation protocols. To find out more about specific steps, please call us at (319) 626-2040.

How often is the building being cleaned?
The church is sanitized each week. Additionally we will be taking special steps to sanitize surfaces in the auditorium, foyer, restrooms, locker rooms, and entry/exits between the 8am and 10am services each Sunday.

What precautions will staff and volunteers be taking?
All those serving during service will wear masks. Additionally staff and volunteers will use social distancing guidelines as well as hand sanitizer as needed during both services.

Who has the church consulted in preparation for reopening?
The church staff and elders have consulted with our COVID-19 task force (a group of doctors and experts who attend Grace), local health authorities, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), other churches in the corridor area, and other large churches nationally.

I am not feeling well, or may have been exposed to Coronavirus. Should I come to service?
No. If you are not feeling well or any reason or believe you may have been exposes to the Coronavirus within the last 14 days, do not come to an in-person service. Instead join us for our weekly online service until you are healthy.

What are the church guidelines on coming to service after being sick? 
Please follow the CDC guidelines for what to do if you are sick and for returning to public spaces after being sick, or being exposed to the Coronavirus.

I have concerns about something the church is, or is not, doing. Who should I talk to?
First off, thank you for your concern. 2020 has been a difficult season for our church, community, and nation. We appreciate that you want to share your thoughts, and for the time you're investing to share your feedback! As our survey results showed, the congregation has viewpoints on all ends of the spectrum and a variety of different comfort levels with interacting with others in-person. Pastor Brooks shared during his May 24th sermon (YouTube link) that many of these issues are disputable matters. We are taking steps in accordance with the best counsel from our COVID-19 task force, health authorities, local churches, and other large churches like us to keep our congregation as safe as possible against reasonably perceived risks. If you have specific matters you'd like to discuss please email us at office@graceb3.org and a pastor will follow up with you.

Online Service

Will we still have online service?
Yes, we will continue to hold an online service. It will stay at 10am on Sundays. We have learned that there are people being reached for Christ through our online services that we wouldn’t reach otherwise. Online services will continue to be a part of our outreach moving forward.

Where are online services airing?

Online services are airing on our YouTube channel. Go there by clicking:  https://www.youtube.com/user/Grace3B