Pastoral Communique:

We are having a Jubilee Service this Sunday at 2:00 PM!

TLC, I am excited to inform you that the majority of our Church members have dealt with Covid-19 related issues and are ready to return to actual services. We still have some that are dealing with Covid and are still in quarantine. However, our poll shows that most of our members are able to return to a normal church schedule. We will join together this Sunday, October 18, at 1:30 PM for prayer. Our worship service will begin at 2:00 PM. We invite you to be with us for a great time in the presence of the Lord, as we pray together, worship, and respond to the preaching of the Word. One thing I want to emphasize is – “We are not coming together to talk about Covid-19.” We are coming together to talk about the goodness of the Lord, to worship Him in the beauty of Holiness, and allow Him to work His perfect will in the lives of all that are present. We want you to be present and also to bring guests with you. The revival we have been enjoying throughout this year continues. Also, we are believing for God to work in the lives of those that are not yet able to attend but will be listening online. We will still be live streaming our services for those who are not yet able to be physically present with us.

Some time back, the city of Tulsa lifted former restraints involving social distancing at houses of worship. However, it is strongly recommended that we continue to follow as many of the protocols introduced to stop the spread of this virus as possible. This includes washing and sanitizing of hands every time you enter or leave the auditorium, refraining from physical contact such as shaking hands, touching, hugging, etc. The wearing of masks in public places in Tulsa has been mandated by the mayor and city council. We are asking you to wear masks as you enter and leave the premises. We will continue to follow as many of these recommendations as possible during this transitional time.

Question: How can one recovering from Covid-19 determine when they are no longer contagious?

Many are wondering when one is no longer contagious and a danger to the public. If you have followed the various reports and updates given by government health officials, you have no doubt heard many conflicting opinions. As this virus has spread, the recommended protocols for dealing with it have changed as more knowledge regarding this virus has been discovered and identified. Consequently, you may be using “dated information” that has since been modified by further research and discovery. One week ago I had an in-depth conversation with a lady with the Tulsa Health Department. She knew I was the Pastor of Tulsa Lighthouse Church. She instructed me how to determine who is considered “safe” and no longer needs to be quarantined. She went over this with me in detail three times and also answered any questions I had regarding this very important information. The latest protocol used by CDC (Federal “Center for Disease Control”) and Tulsa County Health Department is for you to count forward ten days from your first sign of Covid-19 symptoms. If you are symptom free and fever free for the last 24 hours without the use of medication, you are no longer contagious and able to circulate in public. Many continue to have a diminished cough that can linger for many days and/or an extended time before the loss sense of smell and taste completely returns. These are not considered signs of contagion and such a one can begin to circulate in public. Another interesting point is after you have tested positive they no longer recommend that you keep retesting to see if you are still positive. You can still have lingering Covid cells in your body for many weeks that will be detected by a test but you are no longer contagious. (My recommendation is to have 48 hours fever-free before circulating in public. In such situations, it is better to err on the side of caution than to cut it so close that you might still be able to pass this disease to someone else.) Please keep in mind, “I am my brother’s keeper!”

For those of you that desire to sit in a “safe place,” we are reserving much of the overflow section for those that desire to practice “social distancing.” To sit in this area, you must wear a mask throughout the service. There will be an assigned usher to help monitor this area and to provide assistance as needed.

I am looking forward to seeing you in service this Sunday! Let’s come ready to have church!!!

Pastor Howard


QUESTIONS?

918-446-3662 or info@tlctulsa.org