Category Archives: Pastors Corner

June 30, 2021 Update

Activity, Pastors Corner

Providence Family,

What a year and three months it has been! I want to commend you all on being adaptive during this time! I know it hasn’t been easy, but we have persevered and ready to take our next steps in “opening up.” Below are the things starting back.

Masks-

If you have been to worship recently, you may have noticed that masks are not required. If you feel like you need to wear one, please wear one! If you are sick, running a temperature, coughing, I urge that you stay home or see a doctor. Please look after yourself!

Sunday School-

We will start back with Sunday School on July 11th at 9:30 AM. Please note the time change. We will begin Sunday School earlier to accommodate the worship service time change. We will only have one class to begin with. It will either be held in the sanctuary or the big Sunday School room.

We are in the process of starting other Sunday School classes. We are exploring a young adult class. If you are interested, please let me know. 

Worship-

We will be starting to have a “normal” worship service beginning this Sunday. On July 11th, the worship service will start at 10:30 AM. Please note the time change. In addition to worship, we need to begin a nursery again. I am looking to create a nursery rotation. If you are interested, please let me know.

Movie Nights

One thing that the pandemic has taught us is the need for human interaction. We will offer two movie nights on July 25th and August 22nd. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Pastoral Visits

In addition to home visits, I am offering other ways to visit. The first is offering rides around the community. I have offered this to several of you. I know that it is a different time and maybe you just want to get out of the house. Give me a call and I will drive you around Providence! The second is a “Porch Sittin’.” This will be a time where you can come to the parsonage as we sit on the porch, talk over a glass of lemonade, and enjoy the time. More information will be given in a few weeks.

Bible Study

Before the pandemic hit, our church was going through a Bible Study, “Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.” I would like to start again with the study. Tentatively, we will begin on Wednesday, September 8th. More information will be given at a later time. 

Mission Projects

We are in the works of missional opportunities. We all know that Operation Christmas Child will be approaching in the next few months. We hope that we will be able to exceed our goals from last year. You may continue to provide online as well as pack your own boxes. We will give out more information later. 

There are other mission projects that we are working on and will share them with you later.

As you can see, we are planning a lot of things for us to stay connected. Being connected is very important. Throughout all of this, we need to stay connected with each other, but most importantly, connected with Jesus Christ! I know and trust that through these things, we can do both! 

If there is anything I can do for you, please reach out to me! 

Grace and Love,

Justin

2021 Annual Conference Ordination and Remembrance Service

Activity, Pastors Corner

Friends,

It has been an exciting time within the life of our church. We have celebrated our graduates, celebrated the birthday of the church with Pentecost, and learned about who God is this past week. As a reminder, God is very present in our lives! We may not recognize it, but we need to be open to God so that the Holy Spirit may reign in us. 

We are now entering into the longest and last liturgical season of our Christian Year. There isn’t a “Christian Holiday” until the first Sunday in November (All Saints’ Sunday). But we will continue to celebrate all the things God has done, all the things God is doing, and all the things God will do. 

Several of you have asked how you may celebrate God by celebrating the works of God in me through my ordination. My ordination service will be Sunday, June 6th at 7 PM. With Covid protocols, I am only allowed two people to attend. I know that many of you would’ve loved to be present and celebrate God working though me. But I would love for you to be there spiritually. At the bottom of this page is a link for the website where you can watch the service online. 

Also, on Monday, June 7th at 7 PM, the conference will remember clergy and spouses who have passed away this past year. Mrs. Lee Farmer will be remembered. You can use the link at the bottom of the page to watch the remembrance service. 

I can’t wait to be back with you on June 13th as a fully Ordained Minister in the United Methodist Church where we can continue to celebrate God in all we think, say, and do!

Blessings and much love,

Justin

www.umcsc.org/ac2021

Easter Update

Activity, Pastors Corner

Happy Easter Providence!

It is an exciting time in our church year as we celebrate and remember that Jesus is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! I was really excited to see our sanctuary full for our Easter service! It feels good to be back and I know that we are working to keep opening back to normal. With that in mind, I am still reminding everyone that it is still necessary for us to keep wearing our masks while inside the sanctuary. Yes, I know that a majority of our congregation has been fully vaccinated and/or have the antibodies. But we must remember that not everyone has been. Our children and those in our congregation with compromised immune systems are still at risk. We must take seriously the charge we have to do good and do no harm as United Methodist. I want to make sure everyone feels safe coming to worship on Sunday. I know that masks are hard to wear and that is why we are still having a condensed worship service. Masks will gradually be removed, but not right now. I urge all of us to continue to wear our masks and maintain a safe distance within the sanctuary and community. We are almost there and I can’t wait to celebrate with you when the pandemic subsides! (Yes, I am planning on a cookout with all the trimmings when this is done!!) 

Again, I am grateful to be back worshiping in our beautiful sanctuary! Keep safe and see you soon!!

Blessings,
Justin

March 9, 2021 Update

Pastors Corner, Uncategorized

Hello Friends,

What a year it has been! I don’t think anyone could’ve imagined how COVID-19 would have affected us. Over this past year, we remember how fragile our lives really are. We have lost many of our members, family and friends in the community. Every day I remember them and their families during my prayers. I am thankful for their memories because it has gotten me through these tough times. I know many of you have told me the memories are getting you through these difficult times.  But the good news that we have is COVID-19 has strengthened our relationship with others. We now know that we aren’t alone in whatever comes our way; we have each other and most importantly God. We also know that we need to cherish each other! That is something I will never take for granted again. My prayers will continue to be with all of you as we move ahead. 

As the COVID-19 numbers are decreasing here in South Carolina and Providence community, the leadership has given the green light to go back into our Sanctuary for worship. This will take place on Easter Sunday. We will have a Sunrise service at 7:00 AM and a regular Easter Service at 11AM. I, for one, am thankful for this opportunity to again worship in our beautiful Sanctuary. We will continue to be inside as long as the numbers stay where they are. So, we will only have one service Easter and beyond in the Sanctuary. I will miss the outdoor service under a great picnic shed and maybe we can hold an outdoor service every now and then! The radio broadcast will still be available for those who don’t feel comfortable worshiping inside. We continue to ask that you wear a facemask while in worship. We do have some mask available as well as plenty hand sanitizer. We will also be socially distanced in our Sanctuary. That means “your” pew might not be open. I ask that if your pew is not open, please find another pew. 

With worship going back to normal, we will begin April 18th with Sunday School. I know that we have gotten away from Sunday School during this time, but I urge everyone to attend Sunday School. It is a vital part of our Christian faith. It is necessary for us to have a strong Christian education so when things get rough, we have a strong foundation of what we have learned in Sunday School. It is also a time where we have honest conversations with people in our church family. Sunday School is just one way we can strengthen our relationship with God and others.

One last thing, I am very thankful for Mike and Deedee Kullenberg with their help with the outdoor service. They have helped every Sunday set up the sound system and pass out bulletins. We have battled the weather (rain, cold and heat) to provide a meaningful worship experience. If you see them, please thank them for their service! Again, I am honored to be your minister at Providence. We have gone through so much together. I thank God every day that I get to walk alongside you in your Christian journey. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Blessings and see you soon,

Rev. Justin Ritter

Temporary Guidelines for In Sanctuary Worship

Pastors Corner

Below is a list of guidelines for us to follow at Providence UMC. These guidelines are meant to keep everyone safe as we DO GOOD and DO NO HARM so that we can STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD. I know that things aren’t how they have been in the past. The virus has changed our way of life and how we worship. What it hasn’t changed is our love for God and love for each other. I know not everyone will be happy with these guidelines, but I pray that we can follow them so that we can keep everyone safe as we continue to worship our God! Between services each week, the church will be cleaned. Just as before, the leadership will continue to monitor all that is happening in our state and community. We will adjust as needed. If we see a lack of adherence to these guidelines, we will go back to worshiping outside. Again, we must take care of everyone and keep our congregation safe! The guidelines are:

Outdoor worship- 10 AM

– It will be the same service as we have been doing around the picnic shed. The radio frequency will be 89.5 FM.

Indoor worship- 11 AM

– There will be no Sunday School to start.

– There will only be one entrance and one exit; through the front door. Those who come in first will sit towards the front of the sanctuary. Those that come in later will sit towards the back. The pews will be marked off for families to sit. You may not be able to sit in your own “family” pew, but of course, this is only temporary. Please sit only with your immediate family!

– Face masks MUST be worn at all times. We are still under a mask ordinance from the county and everyone is expected to have their face covered at all times. 

– Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance of the church. I encourage all to sanitize upon entering and exiting.

– The offering plate will be placed at the entrance of the church so that the congregation will be able to make their tithes, gifts, and offerings.

– No singing will take place except for Justin or another singer. We will be far away from everyone sitting in the congregation. The congregation is asked to hum or read the words of the hymns in the bulletin. 

– Bibles, Hymnals, and other things have been removed from the pews. Please bring your own Bible.

– The restrooms will be available for emergencies only. The service will only last for 30 minutes. 

– Upon exiting the church, the people sitting at the back will exit first.

-The service will be broadcast on 89.5 FM should you wish to remain outside for the 11:00 service.

If you are unable to follow these guidelines, the outdoor service will still be available for you to worship. Again, my task as your minister is to provide a safe, meaning worship place for everyone. I know, by God’s grace, we can get through this and anything else that may come our way. God bless you and keep you! See you Sunday!