Congregational Update: In-Person Programs & Digital Content- April 2022

Dear Congregation,

I hope you are well.

I would like to remind you that Sunday Schools from Kindergarten and higher will resume in person. The schedule will be as follows:

Kindergarten - 5th grade: 11am, every first and third Sunday

Middle School: 9:30 am, every first and third Sunday

High School: 9:30 am, every week

Children’s program: 11am, every 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays

As to digital content, the youth live stream has ended and will be in-person. Every first Sunday will be a “combined” worship with Middle School and High School sitting in at the 11:00 am worship service. All other Sundays, the youth students will break off from the Adult worship and hear a youth sermon in the Fellowship Hall.

For the Adult worship, we will upload an audio file following the worship service at cornerstonetrinity.org/sermons

Save the Dates:

Easter Weekend: Good Friday Service, April 15th at 7:30pm & Easter Sunday Worship at 11am, followed by Lunch. RSVP for lunch: https://forms.gle/BYgmMGBbtRNn7rtr5

Kids Day: Saturday, April 23rd from 10am-12noon. More details will follow.

May God’s peace keep you.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update- October 2021

Dear Congregation,

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Biblically, Fall is a time of harvest and reaping. We take inventory of all that God has provided and remember our dependence on Him for crops, spiritual care, and physical protection. We also remember Jesus’ mandate to be fruitful as His disciples.

Regarding October, we will be carrying on our practice of wearing masks indoors, except for eating and drinking, in compliance with California’s health orders.

Small groups, Adult Sunday school, and high school Sunday school have begun to meet indoors and at our church. Starting in October, Middle School Sunday School will be twice a month. As I reflect on this, I am grateful for our groups. We will also host several outdoor events for those still hesitant to gather indoors.

In regards to children’s ministries, we are still mindful of children not being vaccinated. We will keep you updated on any changes to our practices, especially if children’s vaccines roll out some time this year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the church office at info@cornerstonetrinity.org or 415-566-5756.

May the Lord keep you, and may you bear fruit and abide in His Spirit.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update August 2021

Dear Congregation,

I hope you are doing well as many take vacations, prepare for a new school year, or take some time to gather with others. Simultaneously, our region monitors and adjusts to the changing nature of COVID-19 and its effects on society through vaccination and various masking policies.

On August 2nd, the combined health departments of the Bay Area issued a press release, requiring indoor masking regardless of vaccination status. In light of this, we will adjust our policy and require masking in indoors settings. These include fellowship, worship services, ministries, and other optional indoor activities.

• Per the press release, this is to protect the non-vaccinated: https://sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/C19-07-Safer-Return-Together-Health-Order.pdf

• vaccination for those eligible is the most powerful tool against COVID-19, including the Delta variant

• a well fitted respirator or mask is the most effective face covering for the non-vaccinated: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/ig/FAQ-improve-masking.pdf

I appreciate your patience, unity, and gentleness in this matter. Not all health departments or experts agree on various measures, however, in light of the pressing nature of the statistics and medical opinions, we will comply with our local health department.

May God continue to bless our gatherings and the sharing of our lives in this blessed community called the church.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update July 2021

Dear Congregation,

I hope you are doing well.

Since my last communication, our region and state has changed their respective protocols regarding COVID-19. In short, San Francisco has rescinded all health directives for religious gatherings, and their masking policy follows the State, which offers establishments several options.

This means that CTBC must define its own masking policy. In light of this, our Elders, Pastors, and Directors have established these policies regarding indoor masking, distancing, and indoor gatherings. In addition to worship and outdoor gatherings, groups may now gather indoors, and we will change our masking policy. Per San Francisco’s and California’s guidelines.

• The fully vaccinated have the option to remove their mask at indoor gatherings. Except for eating and drinking, the unvaccinated must remain masked.

• Fellowship groups may now gather indoors. Groups shall continue to allow for air flow through utilizing fans and opening windows. Due to room limitations, we will devise a rotation schedule for church. We will discuss Friday night KC in the coming weeks and months.

• For our worship service, though physical distancing restrictions have ended, we will have a social distance section available to congregants at this time in addition to general seating.

• All participants and leaders in indoor K-12 settings (youth fellowship, children’s SS, etc.) must wear face coverings regardless of vaccination status. Mixed adult settings with children are not K-12 settings; however, all participants ages 3-12 must wear a face covering.

We also offer several guidelines:

• Some groups may elect to remain masked or request masking.

• Out of consideration and love for others, please be prepared to honor one another and wear a face covering for the comfort of others. While we value flexibility and are aware of Northern California’s overwhelming vaccination rate, we desire to be a welcoming environment for those who still are anxious about gathering. Masking for others’ comfort is a way to love one another as ourselves out of God’s love. We do not want this to be divisive issue.

• There will be a no questions asked policy for individuals who continue wearing a face covering.

If you have any questions, concerns or prayer requests, please do not hesitate to contact us. We praise God that we are able to gather in more settings. We value one another and long to be together again. May God’s peace guide you and keep you.

ReplyReply allForward

Congregational Update June 2021

Dear Congregation,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. I hope that as state COVID indicators improve and more venues open, you also might re-engage friends, family, and other hobbies previously inaccessible.

As a church, we have received new guidelines on May 24th. Our general region has since moved to yellow tier, and the governor of California forecasts more changes. In light of the new guidelines from the San Francisco Department of Health, we have decided to hold in-person adult worship every Sunday, beginning June 6th. Small groups and sports ministries may opt for outdoor activities, following the local guidelines. (We will await the state’s announcements regarding June 15th before making any changes to optional indoor gatherings.

I also offer these guidelines as we approach June 15th and the anticipated changes regarding masks and other COVID protocols.

1) Masking policy at worship: Beginning June 20th, per San Francisco Department of Public Health’s newest directive, fully vaccinated preachers and song leaders will be unmasked during sermon and song leading. We will await California’s and San Francisco’s guidelines before we make any changes to the masking policy for worshippers.

2) Vaccination cards: For indoor worship, we are not required to check for vaccination status until we establish a fully vaccinated section which can seat worshippers closer together. Until our worship attendance grows, we will not establish that section. When we do, we will follow the SFDPH health directives, and check for vaccination status.

3) Masking at outdoor events: Per San Francisco Department of Public Health’s newest Health Order, attendees who are fully vaccinated may remove their masks and maintain 6 feet social distance outdoors.

4) Choiced masking: Out of love and courtesy, for those who choose to remain masked at our events (indoor or outdoor), we will adopt a no questions asked policy, not asking why or questioning your reasons. We realize this issue is personal, and one’s personal comfort might dictate extra caution. Further, some may choose to forego vaccination due to health reasons.

5) Livestream: We will continue to livestream the adult and youth worship services for the foreseeable future while we await a children’s vaccine and while we form further plans for in-person gatherings.

I hope these changes encourage you as our local guidelines have opened for more possibilities regarding in person gatherings. I am reminded of the church’s power in gathering together in person in light of the past months while separated. Some may be anxious regarding coming back, and we open our hearts to the varying circumstances and mental health struggles caused by the pandemic. May the love of God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update May 2021

Dear Congregation,

God’s grace and peace to you as we continue living through a worldwide pandemic. I have been praying for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being while separated. Along with these, however, we have seen glimpses of light as we have now gathered twice since entering the orange tier and celebrated Easter together.

Since my last update, we have received encouraging reports of California’s progress in terms of COVID 19 numbers dropping and vaccinations rising. Schools have opened, and as of May 5th, San Francisco has entered yellow tier which indicates “minimal spread.” Similarly, some epidemiologists see LA County entering yellow tier, dropping COVID numbers, and rising vaccinations, and forecast a cautious optimism.

Given all of these, we will continue with caution and meet twice a month for in-person worship in May on May 9th (this Sunday) and May 23rd. Fellowship groups and ministries will have the option to meet in person for optional outdoor gatherings, following SFDPH and CDC guidelines.

May 9th Sign Up: 5/9 In Person Worship Service Sign-Up
May 23rd Sign Up: 5/23 In Person Worship Service Sign Up

CTBC’s Elders, Directors, and Pastors will continue to meet, especially with impending decisions regarding camps, programs, and other summer activities. We appreciate your trust and confidence as we wade through changing guidelines, uncertain outcomes, and the weighing of risk. These are all unprecedented decisions, and we realize they affect major decisions around childcare, church attendance, and personal convenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. Also, if you have any needs or prayer requests, we welcome them.

Praise be to the Lord who meets all of our needs according to his glorious riches. May his peace and guiding Spirit be upon you.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Good Friday & Easter Sunday Worship Info

CTBC/CTX Good Friday Zoom Worship Service & Sharing Time with singing, teaching, special presentation and going into sharing time at 7:30pm. and Sunday, Easter Worship Service at 10am (in-person or live stream), following a zoom Lunch at 12 noon and Zoom Children's Activities at 1:30pm.

CTBC/CTX GOOD FRIDAY EASTER SERVICE- APRIL 2nd @ 7:30PM (ZOOM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83924104775?pwd=bGYzOE53elBYRERpMnpGNk11RFhldz09

Meeting ID: 839 2410 4775
Passcode: 306216

CTBC/CTX EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP- APRIL 4th at 10:00AM

Please note the time change to 10:00AM. There will be an option to meet in person at 480 Teresita Blvd., SF. Sign up for a spot @ https://forms.gle/dfFhVWHcUpkwh3ya9. For those not yet comfortable with meeting in person, there will be an option to join virtually as well. (link for this to follow)

Livestream Worship Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cijwoa5OJXE

All Campus Easter Lunch Celebration @ 12 Noon: Please email the church for the link.

Children's Easter Event

If you have signed up for an activity kit, it will need to be picked up on Saturday, 4/3. The zoom children activity program will start at 1:30pm. Please email the church for the link.

Congregational Update April 2021

Dear Congregation,

As Lent comes to an end, and as we focus on Good Friday and Easter, I am reminded of our common hope of the resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection is the fulcrum of history, and I am excited for this Sunday. Grace and peace to you.

Last week, our region (San Francisco and San Mateo counties) entered the orange tier. Restrictions are slowly being lifted, and vaccinations are continuing, with a promise of more to come. With the lifting of restrictions, including the lifting of the restriction on singing indoors for worship service, we will slowly open for in-person worship twice a month. We will also continue with optional outdoor small group gatherings for ministries and adult small groups.

Due to restrictions on capacity, we ask for your advance reservation if you plant to attend

In-person worship for April will be this Sunday, April 4th at 10am and on April 25th at 11am.To sign up for worship for this Sunday please reserve your spot here: Easter Worship Sign Up Link 4/4

To sign up for worship on April 25th, please reserver your spot here: Sunday, April 25th Worship Service

As before, we will continue the livestream of our worship services and the digital options for our small groups for our meeting for the foreseeable future while the pandemic continues. Our leadership continues to monitor the government’s guidelines and will act accordingly.

I pray for your joy and encouragement as these accommodations are now open to us. I hope to see you online or in person.

May the Lord of peace himself give your peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update March 2021

Dear Congregation,

Grace and peace to you in the name of the Lord Jesus. I hope you are doing well. I would like to provide you an update for our congregation for March.

Last month, our local counties were moved out of the extended shut down in purple tier, while as of today we moved to the red tier in San Francisco and in San Mateo last week. Vaccines for COVID 19 continue to progress for those over the age of 65 and other essential workers.

While the statistics have improved, we will remain closed for the month of March for in -person worship and indoor gatherings. We also continue to open our small groups to optional outdoor small gatherings that comply with the local county ordinances and with CTBC safety protocols.

We hope the public health metrics continue to improve and will continue monitoring them in order to meet for indoor gatherings. Since we realize these shelter- in- place measures can take a toll both on spiritual and mental health, we are exploring ways to gather safely outdoors. We have also sought out ways to help our community through volunteering as we realize the toll this shutdown has placed on many less fortunate.

As stated before, if you would like prayer or a conversation with an elder or leader from the church, please contact us. We long for the day when we can gather in person as we did before.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor

Congregational Update February 2021

Dear Congregation,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. I hope your New Year is going well, and that you have found encouragement in our small groups, livestream, ministries, or relationships.

Since I last updated you, the State of California has lifted the extended-stay- at- home order for our region along with the rest of the state. The COVID 19 vaccines continue to roll out, and numbers of deaths and infections continue to project lower. ICU capacity has increased in our region, and several media sources foresee our region moving up in the colored tier system. As of today, we still remain in the purple tier, which means we are still prohibited from indoor gatherings and religious services.

With this in mind, we will not meet for indoor in person worship, ministries, or ministry meetings for the month of February. We will, however, allow our small groups to engage in the optional outdoor gatherings as they comply with local health ordinances. In San Francisco, for example, the 10 pm curfew remains, and religious groups may not encourage singing and group chanting. As you gather outdoors, please be sure to check local ordinances in the county you meet, fill out the CTBC waiver, and remain steadfast in safe practices of social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing.

I pray that we continue in supporting each other spiritually and mentally. This shelter in place can take a toll on our minds and spirits, so please take the time to encourage someone in your midst. May God’s peace and tender care guide you.

Rev. Kevin Wong

Senior Pastor