CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We are aware of the mask mandate issued for Dallas County effective Thursday, August 12, 2021. We want you to know that your health and safety is very important to us. We are assuring cleanliness, sanitation, and preparation as we continue our in-person services.

Effective immediately, we are taking the following steps:

Masks are encouraged for churches but not mandatory. Please wear them if you are comfortable doing so.
We will observe social distancing and resume social distancing seating in the sanctuary.
We're pausing altar prayer following service at this time. (Please email prayer@gfc.cc or submit prayers in app or on a connection card.)
Volunteers will be available at children's check-in so there is no self check-in.
These measures are for English and Grace Latino Services.
If you have any questions please let me know. We want everyone - members and guests - to be comfortable and safe as we serve one another.

GFC continues to take health and safety very seriously and we welcome masks.

Blessings,
Mary Scearce
Executive Pastor & Apostolic Team

Since our reopening of GFC on Sunday, May 24th, we have had a wonderful response in attendance and are encouraged not only by the attendance, but your willingness to follow the social distancing and sanitation guidelines.

We also understand and appreciate those of you who may not be ready yet to return to a service but are supporting GFC by watching online.

Due to the increase in attendance, we are increasing our physical capacity for our 9:00 AM service to 125 people beginning Sunday, June 7th. At this time, there is no 11:00 AM service, but plans are in place for it, pending the further increase of the 9:00 AM services. You will still need to follow the detailed guidelines posted on the service registration for you and each member of your family who will be in attendance with you. Please know that we will continue following all environmental sanitation guidelines to keep you and your family safe. We want your church experience to be risk and stress free!

You may register for Sunday, June 14th service or our current Sunday service by clicking the link below or by downloading our GFC app. If you don't have the app, download it by texting mygfc app (ensure spacing between mygfc and the word app) to 77977.

Important: We understand things come up, so if you register and then are unable to attend, you can email connect@gfc.cc to cancel your reservation and leave the seat open for someone else to reserve.

We look forward to worshiping with you!

We are abiding by the Governor’s guidelines and we will continue providing a touch-less service.

Register each person in your household who will attend in person.
Arrive early. Front doors open at 8:15 a.m. Sanctuary doors at 8:30 a.m.
Ushers will seat (front to back) and dismiss by rows (back to front).
Tithes and offerings can be given at the receptacles near the sanctuary doors, by text-to-give, online, and in our app.
Sunday services will continue to be online (Facebook Live, app, website) and on campus - - with strict social distancing.
The Welcome Center, The Cove, and water fountain will remain closed.
Wednesday service will continue to be online - including tonight at 7:00 PM! Tonight we wrap up "The Secret of Joy-Filled Living". Then we will take a break and resume July 8th to study the book of James!
Children's lessons remain online only.
Grace Latino remains online only.

You are our big concern! Stay safe no matter where you are and know we look forward to being together again soon!

We love you,

Pastors Joe and Deborah Oakley

The decision has been made to temporarily continue having one Sunday service. Our 9:00 a.m. service will continue online and in-person by registartion on May 31st and June 7th. Services will be open to the first 100 people (adults and children) who register. If you register and then are unable to attend, you can email connect@gfc.cc to cancel your reservation and leave that seat open for someone else to reserve.

Please continue to connect with your GFC family by using our GFC Grand Prairie app for children's lessons, watching Sunday and Wednesday services, connecting to a Grace Group and for sending in prayer requests. We are here for you!

Information for Returning to Church in May

As you have likely heard, the State of Texas is reopening in phases. Grace Fellowship Church is actively working on exceeding the suggested guidelines contained in the Texas “Standard Health Protocols for Churches/Places of Worship.”

We want to balance opening soon with opening safe. As we begin the process of reopening, each week for the next four weeks is going to be different.

This is the initial plan for May at our church:

Sunday, May 10 | Please watch online! The 9:00 a.m. service will be open to staff and worship team only as it has been.

Sunday, May 17 | Please watch online! The 9:00 a.m. service will be open to staff, leaders and volunteers by INVITATION ONLY in preparation for the congregation to return.

Sunday, May 24 | The 9:00 a.m. service will be open to the first 100 people who register.

Sunday, May 31 | Both 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services resume and will be open to the first 100 people who register, per service.

Facility sanitized before and after service.
Arrive early. Sanctuary doors will open at 8:30 a.m. to allow time for temperature taking and seating.
Wearing a mask is encouraged. Please bring one with you.
Doors will be opened by greeters. No fist bumps, high-fives or handshakes.
Temperatures will be taken of each person upon arrival using touchless thermometers and should be under 100.0 degrees for admittance.
Check in will occur to verify your registration.
Social distancing will be observed. Ushers will seat each individual/family filling the sanctuary from front to back. At the end of service, ushers will dismiss by rows from back to front.
Follow advice of your doctor, other health professionals, and caring family members. If you or a household member are considered part of a high-risk population, please plan to stay home for a few more Sundays. We miss seeing you but want you to remain healthy!

These specifics should be noted:

Children’s lessons will remain online only (Facebook, in app)
Wednesday FX sessions will remain online only (Facebook Live, in app, website)
Grace Latino service will remain online only (Facebook Live)
Worship services will continue to be online (Facebook Live, app, website) and on campus--with strict social distancing.
Tithes and offerings can be given through text-to-give, online, in app and at the receptacles near the sanctuary doors.
The Welcome Center, The Cove, and water fountain will be closed.

Until we meet face-to-face, find strength and peace in the word.

11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] Philippians 4:11-13 (Amplified Bible)

Pastor Joe Oakley

As you know, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the Office of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority have urged people to limit non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people in order to help slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Grace Fellowship Church is following those guidelines and will continue “Touching Heaven and Changing Earth” through online streaming beginning with our FX Wednesday service on March 18, 2020. We will be sending you an email invite to join our GFC RightNow Media platform so you may set up your profile and view the Love & Respect Sessions. This week we continue the series by watching session 9. Next week, on March 25, we will conclude the series with session 10. And good news, you can catch up or review any missed session through RightNow Media.

For our Sunday services, we will have live streaming available on our website, on our Facebook page and through our GFC Grand Prairie phone app.

For more information please contact info@gfc.cc , download the GFC Grand Prairie phone app, and check our website for updates.

We will not be shaken by the enemy in this season.

Pastors Joe and Deborah Oakley

From the desk of our Elders and GFC Leadership, we are sending this letter in support of communication and precautions issued by local, state and federal agencies to share information regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This communication isn’t based on fear, but about responsible precautions we will be taking as we follow the directives of U.S. Center for Disease Control and PrevenOon (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services, and local Dallas County.

With the heightened awareness and concern over the coronavirus, we want you to know that your health and safety is our highest concern. As we continue our services and closely monitor sources while working with local/ state agencies we are assuring cleanliness, sanitation, and preparation for all services at GFC. Below you will find guidelines we are asking all members to follow as well as local and state resources for you and your family. Please note we are also assuring our operation is within the safe guidelines referenced by Dallas County for the ban of gatherings over 500 people in one room (THIS DOES NOT IMPACT OUR SERVICES) as we at no given time seat 500 within the one room of our sanctuary.

Preventative Care During Services:

Based on the most currently available information, health officials have recommended local communities take the same necessary steps to protect themselves and others against the coronavirus that we’d take in preventing the spread of illnesses such as the flu.

Reference: DSHS (Department of State Health Services)

During GFC Services:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Practice social distancing by refraining from hugging and shaking hands.

• If you are sick in any way or considered a high risk individual (see reference below) we encourage you to stay home and watch via streaming (i.e. Facebook, GFC APP)

HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS:

• Over 65 Years of Age

• Heart Disease

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Cancer

• Weakened Immune System

• Those serving please wash hands in between each service and utilize hand sanitizer.

• Please utilize hand sanitizer when needed per the dispensers that will be located throughout the building.

• Please respect as our Pastors and leaders will model the same expectations within this update and love you so much.