Dear First Baptist Family,

     I pray that you are safe and well as we continue through this pandemic.  Please know that the deacons, Jonathan and myself are here to help you.  Do not hesitate to call upon us.

     The staff and deacons continue to monitor this situation and believe that Sunday morning worship while social distancing is the wisest course of action for most of our fellowship.  We are thankful for these times of gathering for those who feel comfortable attending and completely understand any who do not feel comfortable attending.  We look forward to the time when we all feel safe to assemble. 

     While we are not having an invitation following the message, Jonathan and myself are available in the sanctuary after the service.  If you will wait until the congregation has left, we will be glad to meet with you and pray with you.  If you are led to make a decision, we will share that with the congregation in the following service.

     There are a couple of ministries that we are able to do in this time.  The youth will be meeting in the fellowship hall on Sunday nights in a socially distanced environment for Bible study.  This will allow us to minister to the youth without endangering them or our older congregation.  Similarly, the Christian Learning Center has been using our Family Ministry Building since the beginning of school.  This has given them a place to meet without endangering those students or our congregation.  Using our facilities in this way allows us to minister to different groups while minimizing exposure between them.

     Unfortunately, this pandemic has also impacted some special events that we all enjoy.  Harvest Banquet will be Harvest Day on November 8.  We will not be able to eat together but will have that day to celebrate God’s goodness and receive the Harvest Offering.  Even in these difficult days, God has been good.

     The V.I.P. luncheon has been postponed until it is safe for us to eat together. 

     We will have a Christmas Eve service with communion.  However, we will not be able to observe communion in family groups as we normally do.  We will use the prepackaged communion elements and observe the Lord’s Supper as one group.

     Thank you for your patience and understanding as we go through this pandemic.  We will continue to watch developments and seek to minister in this time.

God bless you,

Brother David