This breaks my heart, but after much consulting back and forth with our Deacons, and pastors and leaders from other churches, here’s what we have decided:
We will NOT be having services at the church this Sunday. We don’t want to do anything that would put any of our people at risk. We don’t want to do anything that would contribute to the spread of this coronavirus.
It’s likely that this may extend even beyond this Sunday, but we will decide that on a week by week basis. I don’t have the heart to cancel more than one Sunday at a time. Also for time being we will not be having our Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Time at church.
Our state government has requested that we avoid gatherings of more than 50 people. The Federal government is asking that we avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. It’s important to remember that they aren’t targeting RELIGIOUS gatherings, but applying this to ALL gatherings. Romans 13:1-7 tells us to submit to those in authority, as long as they don’t contradict God’s commands. We ARE commanded to gather together to worship God (Hebrews 10:24-25). But remember that where two or three are gathered in His name, Jesus is there (Matthew 18:20).
Our church has a built-in alternative in our radio broadcast on WQTY 93.3 FM at 10:00 AM Sunday mornings. You can also listen to the service live or find recordings afterward on our podcast page.
I long for the day when we can gather together again to worship God! Sometimes we don’t realize how important something is until we don’t have it. People from outside our church have told me how important our church is to this town. First Baptist Church needs to go on. By God’s grace we will.
Keep praying! May God keep us all safe and healthy!
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10