Category: Updates

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

A message from Pastor Dave about Wednesday services during corona virus quarantine:

Well, we’ve never done it this way before!

I have really mixed emotions about saying this, but after consulting with the Deacons, we will not be having our Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Time at church this week. It’s likely that we will not have services on Sunday, but I will put out another OneCall later in the week to confirm that.

At this point the government has issued a guideline/request that we avoid gatherings larger than 10 people. We want to be good citizens, as Romans 13:1-7 tells us. And we don’t want to do anything that would put any of our people at risk. Please pray for the spread of this virus to peak and diminish.

Our church has a built-in alternative in our radio broadcast on WQTY 93.3 FM on Sunday mornings. You can also listen to the service live at 10 AM or find recordings afterward on our podcast page.

This is, God willing, a unique, once-in-a-lifetime crisis situation. Things seem to change daily. We will keep you posted as to our worship gatherings.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says , “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Please trust in God, stay safe and healthy, and keep praying!

God bless! -DT

OCC special postage offering: March 29, at the Welcome Center.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, Mr. John Watt will be presenting “John the Apostle” at 6:00 PM in the sanctuary.

On Good Friday, April 10th, we will have a Tenebrae Service (“Service of Shadows”) commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion. Communion will be observed. (We will not observe Communion on Palm Sunday). The Tenebrae Service will begin at 7:30 PM.

On Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will have a Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM, followed by breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, as usual. There will be no evening service on Easter.

Also on Easter Sunday, we will have a special offering called the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. It is for the support of missions work here in North America. 100% of our gifts will go to the support of North American missionaries.

Thank you for your gift of $932.00 last Sunday to the Gideon ministry.

Glenburn service: This Sunday at 3:00 PM.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, Mr. John Watt will be presenting “John the Apostle” at 6:00 PM in the sanctuary.

On Good Friday, April 10th, we will have a Tenebrae Service (“Service of Shadows”) commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion. Communion will be observed. (We will not observe Communion on Palm Sunday). The Tenebrae Service will begin at 7:30 PM.

On Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will have a Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM, followed by breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday School and Morning Worship will be at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, as usual. There will be no evening service on Easter.

Also on Easter Sunday, we will have a special offering called the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. It is for the support of missions work here in North America. 100% of our gifts will go to the support of North American missionaries.

The C.E. Board is asking for donations for the Easter Egg hunt on April 5 (Palm Sunday) following the morning service. Contact Anna Jackson or a C.E. board member for further information.

Glenburn service: March 8, 3:00 PM.

”Who’s Your One?” There are Post-It Notes available in the Narthex on the Welcome Center and on the round tables. Take one and write on it the name of one person you’d like to see come to church. Then put it in the back of your Bible with the end sticking out as a reminder to pray for that person.

Check out the praise board in the narthex near the BYKOTA classroom. If you have a testimony or praise that you would like to share with the church family, write it on the card and post it. This can often be an encouragement to someone who needs it.

The Chosen: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

Heron home for boys is having an open house from 2-4 PM this Sunday to show off the facilities at the new home in Lyons (formerly Lyons nursing home). FBC donated and decorated two of the boys bedrooms as part of the remodel. This is open to the public.

The C.E. Board is asking for donations for the Easter Egg hunt on April 5 (Palm Sunday) following the morning service. We’re asking for pre-packaged candy- no jelly beans. Donations may be placed in the high school classroom. Contact Anna Jackson for any further information.

Gideon Sunday: March 1. There will be a Gideon speaker in the Morning Worship service. After the service he will be in the narthex for the traditional Gideon offering.

”Who’s Your One?” There are Post-It Notes available in the Narthex on the Welcome Center and on the round tables. Take one and write on it the name of one person you’d like to see come to church. Then put it in the back of your Bible with the end sticking out as a reminder to pray for that person.

Official Board meeting: this Sunday, 4:30 PM.

The church office will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day.

The C.E. Board is asking for donations for the Easter Egg hunt on April 5 (Palm Sunday) following the morning service. We’re asking for pre-packaged candy – no jelly beans. Donations may be placed in the high school classroom. Contact Anna Jackson for any further information.

”Transformed” Ladies Conference: Mar. 6th and 7th. The cost is $65.00, by Feb. 21. The theme this year is “Be Still and Know” and the keynote speaker will be Dana James. Register online or contact Rae Anne and we’ll get you registered and provide further information. Please encourage everyone to go. It will be a huge blessing.

”Who’s Your One?” There are Post-It Notes available in the Narthex on the Welcome Center and on the round tables. Take one and write on it the name of one person you’d like to see come to church. Then put it in the back of your Bible with the end sticking out as a reminder to pray for that person.

There is a green insert in your bulletin regarding electronic giving. We’d love the church’s input about this. If you would, please answer the question and drop it in the big basket on the Welcome Center.

The Unseen Realm study series: Wednesdays, 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

If you’d like a record of your 2019 giving, please sign up in the East narthex.

Trustee meeting: this Sunday, following the morning service.

Official Board meeting: Feb. 16, 4:30 PM.

The C.E. Board is asking for donations for the Easter Egg hunt on April 5 (Palm Sunday) following the morning service. We’re asking for pre-packaged candy- no jelly beans. Donations may be placed in the high school classroom. Contact Anna Jackson for any further information.

Ladies! It’s time to register for this years’ “Transformed” conference. The theme is “Be Still and Know”. Dana James is our keynote speaker this year. Cost is $55.00 before Feb. 6, $65.00 by Feb. 21. We’ll travel as a group and share hotel, 4 in a room, to Jeffersonville, IN, Fri. Mar. 6 and come home late afternoon on Sat. Mar. 7. Saturday lunch is provided. Register online or contact Rae Anne, give her your money and we’ll get you registered. (We’ll settle up for hotel and gas expense when we get there. We’ll let you know how much before we go.)