First Baptist Church Family,
We are living in some very unusual days. However these are still days that the Lord has made so we will rejoice and be glad in them!
Circumstances around us have changed so rapidly and are still changing on a daily basis. Covid-19 has proven to be powerful and life changing, but be reminded that Covid-19 is under the authority of our God. “we have not been given a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7We want to show His power and His love and in all that we do we desire for the Lord to be glorified and for His wisdom and His guidance to be shown. After a meeting with our Deacon Fellowship and the church ministerial staff it has been decided to suspend all services here at the church facility for the near future. This decision was made after much prayer and consideration. The Deacons will be meeting again on April 1st to further access the situation and seek God’s will for our fellowship moving forward. Please pray for your church leadership in the coming weeks, we are all navigating uncharted waters and there is no blueprint for what to do in these situations. Your prayers are vital.
We are attempting to prepare a video service for our church family that we hope will be available on our church website around 11:00am on Sunday morning. We hope to do this on a weekly basis until we can meet together again. This will be something that we have not done before so be patient with us and pray that our efforts improve from week to week. Please help us to share the word about this ministry. You are encouraged to gather as a family to experience these worship videos together.
Your church office is officially closed but it will continue to be staffed for the present time. If you have an important need feel free to come by. Know that you can all anytime during business hours. Please take care of any needs you can by phone so that traffic in the office can be kept to a minimum.
Your Deacons are available to you and desire to serve you and minister to you during this time. You may call your family deacon with any concerns that you have.
Even though we can’t meet together as usual our expenses will continue. You are encourage to continue to be faithful with your giving. You may mail your offerings to the church (our mailing address is below) or you may drop them by the church office. We are also working to get a “Donate” area on our website so that you may give online. This is not available yet but you will be notified when it’s up and running.
It has always been in the days of distress and turmoil that the church has grown and flourished. I pray the same for these times. Pray for those who are dealing with this illness, pray for medical personnel, pray for our counties leaders and worldwide leaders for wise decisions. Also pray for yourself, that God would show you how you can minister and be used for His Kingdom during this unique time. Maybe God is trying to get our attention. Psalm 23 says “He MAKES me lie down in green pastures” This Lord might be making us do something we have been neglectful to do. Use this time to be in His word, to be still with him, to grow together as a family. God always has a plan, and it’s always good.
In His Love,
Jeff Chaffin