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Welcome to Spruce Presbyterian Church
We hope you find this website helpful in learning about and keeping up to date with our church. We are a small church with a big heart. Please click through these pages as you wish and if there are any requests or questions feel free to drop an email to us from the contact page.

Pastor's Desk

News & Events

Many churches are having a drop in attendance for various reasons nation wide. It is time to address the subject of worship. I have heard from some other pastors that members are not coming because worship isn't what it was. They all wanted to return to church to worship but now do not like the difference in worship.

Worship defined: (From Old English weorth-scipe, "worth-ship") The service of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and petition directed toward God through actions and attitudes. Christian worship is Trinitarian in form as praise is offered to God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our understanding of Worship: The theological understandings of worship as the praise and service of God. Worship is central to the Christian life and involves a total response of devotion from believers. It is guided by Scripture and is enabled by the work of the triune God, who alone is to be glorified.

The reality is all worship services are meeting these two definitions and understandings of worship. We praise, adore, thank, and petition God while being guided by the Spirit and scriptures. Just because you may not be able to greet, shake hands, hug, sing, shout out loud, pass things, or any other previously lost part of an old style of service does not mean that worship is not happening. Worship is God centered and not us centered. Those who are preparing worship services are taking into account what worship is and making sure that worship is still happening. Worship happens in many different ways and if it is not happening the way you think it should, I would encourage a conversation with those providing worship. It is time we get past ourselves and our own ideas on what we think worship is. It is also time we ask are we worshiping God, or just to make ourselves feel good? So what if you can't sing or hug your neighbor. Are you there for those things you think are need for your own comfort or are you there to grow and be Spirit led? Worship is happening don't let your own hang-up's prevent you from worshiping.
Definitions cited from Donald K McKim's Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms.

Mark 7:6-8
New Revised Standard Version

6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’
8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Psalm 117

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

Covid-19 Re-opening Guidelines.
The session met on Wednesday, June 17th and reviewed all of the protocols that we need to reopen our church. The church has had a professional thorough cleaning.
To be able to reconvene together as a congregation and to ensure that our church is as safe as possible, we are asking all attendees to adhere to the following session-approved guidelines:
1. We are requiring that all attendees wear a mask upon entering the church and during the entire service unless you have a medical reason for not being able. We encourage members to bring their own masks, but we will have masks available if needed.
2. Before entering the church, you will sign in at the front doors. This is in lieu of signing and passing the friendship pads. Pens will be disinfected between each signing.
3. A greeter will ask you a few questions about how you are feeling and your basic physical health. If you are not feeling well or have any symptoms of COVID-19 please stay home.
4. As you enter the building, we are asking everyone to keep a safe social distance of at least 6'.
5. You will seat yourself in the pews keeping the social distancing requirements in mind. Seating will be staggered; however, family members can sit together. Once you are seated, please stay seated.
6. We ask that you do not stop in the entrance way to chat with others so that all can be seated efficiently. Please do not shake hands or hug others. Social distancing is extremely important.
7. Passing of the plates for offering and communion will not be conducted as usual. The offering plates will be at the back of the church. Your offering can be placed in the plate either while entering or leaving the service. On Sundays when communion is served, each element will be picked up at the back of the church by each member as they enter the sanctuary to be taken during communion.
8. Due to the potential spread of corona virus droplets, the choir will not be performing, nor will the congregants be singing hymns for now. All musical portions of the service will be instrumental only, or prerecorded.
9. The bulletins will be placed on the pews. Please sit where the bulletins are placed, as this will ensure appropriate social distancing. Members are encouraged to bring their own Bibles since all Bibles and hymnals are packed
away.
10. Bathroom can be used as needed. Hand sanitizers will be available at the front door and in the bathrooms.
11. There will be no ‘coffee hour’ until further notice. Therefore, there is no need to go downstairs.
12. At the end of the service, do not linger at the door. If you wish to chat with someone, please do so out in the parking lot.

By being aware and following these guidelines we are doing all we can to keep everyone safe. Thank you for doing your part. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact any of the session members. We look forward to seeing you in person.

Supporting Spruce Presbyterian
The church needs our support more now than ever. There are many ways to give without waiting for the plate to be passed. This website has a page that includes options for online giving.

You may also mail donations to:
Spruce Presbyterian Church
PO Box 37
Spruce, MI 48762

In the meantime we pray that God will watch over each and every one of you and that we all will do our best to take care of each other in every way possible.