Watch Parties
Scattered, yet still gathered.
Miss Church? Host a Watch Party!
What do you miss most about going to church? If you said, “the people” you’re in good company! While experiencing church online has its benefits, it can’t replace the connection while worshipping together with other believers. After all, it’s the people that make church, church.
We’ve seen you get creative in connecting by hosting socially distant watch parties, meeting in parking lots, and pulling out camping chairs in your driveways. Here are a few more tips for hosting your own watch party:
Host Online
Many people aren’t comfortable meeting in groups yet, and that’s okay! We stream all our weekend services on YouTube and on our Website so you can host a watch party on Zoom with your family and friends.
Park & Play
Identify a public location, meet your friends, and stream the service from your vehicles. Afterward, back your cars in a circle and sit in your trunks and flatbeds to chat.
Host at Home
Invite friends, family, neighbors, and other Gracers over to watch the service together. Get creative and set up a TV outside or gather in a large room. Take it a step further by jotting down some notes during the message and discussing them afterward.
Click for more tips on hosting a successful watch party at home.
Take the Conversation Further
Did you know we offer discussion guides for each weekend message? Click below and access the Community Group Discussion Guide.
We’ve put together some additional guidelines for smaller groups to help you engage in community while also staying safe!
Want to host a Watch Party?
Fill out this form and the Groups Team will reach out to you and provide you some ideas on how to get started.
Grace Community Church
8200 Old Columbia Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
Additional Safety Guidelines
Virtual Option: Not everyone will feel comfortable attending in person at first. Consider setting up a computer in your meeting area so group members can join in via videoconference.
Group Size: We recommend keeping your In-person gatherings to 25 people or less. If your group has more than 25 people that choose to meet in person, divide the group up and meet in different places or at different times.
Illness: Group members should stay home if they or anyone in their household is sick. It is a good practice to take your temperature before meeting. If you have a reading of 100.4 or higher, please stay home.
High Risk Individuals: Groups composed largely of high risk individuals (65+, underlying health conditions, immunocompromised, etc.) are encouraged to continue meeting virtually. Take the make-up of your group into consideration if and when you offer an in-person option.
Location: Select a gathering place where you can safely distance (at minimum 6 feet apart). Meeting outside is encouraged when possible.
Masks: Please wear a mask, especially in the time people are arriving and socializing. Once group members are safely distanced, masks may be removed at the discretion of the leader and participants.
Greetings: As much as some will miss hugging or shaking hands with other group members, for now it is wise to avoid physical contact.
Food: We love sharing a meal during group gatherings, but during this season we are recommending that groups not eat together. If you do choose to eat, encourage members to bring their own beverage and snack.
Cleaning: The host should be prepared to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched both before and after group (Door handles, chairs, restrooms, etc.).
Watch Party H.O.S.T. Guide
Thank you for your interest in H.O.S.Ting a watch party. These are unprecedented times that offer plenty of challenges but also unique opportunities for the church to continue in worship and ministry together as the people of God. To that end, we are excited about your interest in gathering with a small group of people for Sunday worship.
Being a H.O.S.T. is simple, as easy as pressing play. The following document will provide some helpful resources as you plan a watch party.
HOSPITABLE: Creating a safe and welcoming environment is central to hosting a successful watch party. Make it fun, make it welcoming, and make it safe!
ORGANIZED: Make sure to communicate well with your group keeping them updated on the watch party plans for each weekend, including any changes in the schedule or delegation of roles.
SERVANT-HEARTED: This will require a heart to serve other people and a desire to provide a genuine space for believers to worship and serve together. Don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself but include the other members of the group in set up, kids programming, corporate prayer and worship, and clean up.
THOUGHTFUL: Keep in mind that not everyone you invite to your watch party will feel comfortable participating and some that attend may choose not to attend future gatherings based on their comfort level. Be patient, stay consistent, and allow people to participate at whatever frequency and level they are comfortable with.
TIPS:
This doesn’t have to be complicated, but we do want to offer a few helpful tips as you consider what your time together may look like.
Time and Place: We recommend you gather during the Live Stream Worship Service Sundays at 10am. However, you can also plan your watch party at a more convenient time for your group later in the day or week. Find a place that is open and spacious enough for people to sit six feet apart. We recommend an outdoor driveway, deck, or yard. Everyone can stream the service from their own device or set up a T.V. where it can be viewed by everyone.
Kids Ministry: If you have children present encourage them to remain with their parents and the larger group through Worship, Kids Teaching, and Community Prayer. This is an excellent opportunity to disciple children through example and participation in prayer and worship. During the sermon we recommend dismissing the kids to another space where one of the parents can lead them through the kids lesson. You can find the kids lessons on the App or on the website here.
Pray: Spend some time before your Watch Party praying for those who will attend, that God may use this opportunity and your hospitality to help them take new steps of faith. During your gathering we encourage you to pray together during and after the service and continue to pray for one another during the week until you gather again.
Hospitality Kits: Hospitality kits are available upon request and include prepackaged communion, hand sanitizer and masks. If you would like to request a hospitality kit, please contact kathy.deibler@gcconline.org.
Safety: Review our safety guidelines.
GATHERING LINKS:
Find the gathering streaming live Sundays at 10A on grace.community/gathering.
Check out the Grace App! In the Grace App under “Worship Gathering” you will find everything you need for the weekend worship experience. Each week will provide a Bulletin, Sermon Notes, Grace Students Study, Grace Kids Lessons, and Sermon Discussion Questions.
NEXT STEPS & HELPFUL LINKS
If someone wants to take the step of Baptism, click here.
If someone wants to join a Community Group, click here.
Details on Kids and Student Ministry, click here.
To submit a Prayer Request, click here.
NEED HELP?
If you need further assistance or have any questions, please contact seth.rumsey@gcconline.org. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner.
Thank you for choosing to be the church!