Dear First Baptist Church Family,
I hope this letter finds you healthy and safe. I want to update you on some measures we are taking as a church in light of the national health crisis, and also to encourage you in how you might respond. First, let me implore you to resist two extremes. On the one hand, please don’t be overcome with fear, and on the other, don’t dismiss the severity of the situation. Hold fast to the truth that we trust a God who loves us and is sovereign over life and death and health and illness. As followers of the risen Christ, our hope and confidence is not found in this world or this life, but in the one to come. At the same time, we are called to love our neighbors, and so we owe it to them to take every precaution not to put the most vulnerable among us at risk.
For that reason, the leadership of our church has made the difficult decision to suspend all activities at our facility through the end of March. This includes Sunday School, our Sunday morning worship gathering, choir rehearsal, Sunday evening Bible study, Monday evening men’s Bible study, Tuesday night ladies’ Bible study, Kids Rock, and Student Huddle. Please know that this conclusion was reached with much prayer and consultation, and is not an indication of fear or panic, but of love and concern for our community. At the end of this period, we will evaluate and see if further measures need to be taken.
In the meantime, there are some ways that you, as the body of Christ, can minister hope to a despairing world, can nourish your own souls, and can support the work of the church. First, do what you can to reach out to fellow church members and your immediate neighbors. Call them, text them, message them on social media. See if they need anything, and if there’s something you can’t provide, please let the church know so we can help. And if you yourself need anything, please don’t hesitate to call. Second, stay connected through our church Facebook page. We will be live streaming our 10:45 am Sunday service, and I plan to offer some video encouragements throughout the week. If you aren’t on Facebook and would like to be, please let me know, and we will see what we can do to get you set up. Third, please consider continuing to give. While we may not be gathering in the same ways, the needs that confront us don’t take a break. If anything, they increase. Your giving enables us to meet those needs. If you are convinced and convicted to give, you can always write a check and send it to our church office at 511 Cooke St., Nocona, TX 76255. Or you can give online, either by going to our website at fbcnocona.org and clicking “Give” at the top right corner, or going directly to our online giving page at https://giving.ncsservices.org/app/giving/fbcnocona. Your continuing gifts keep a difficult situation manageable.
Thank you, Church, for all you are and all you do. Thank you for continuing to pray for those around the world, around our nation, and in our own community who are being impacted by this virus and its ripple effects. May we use this moment in history to guard our own faith and to share the joy and hope we have in a crucified, risen, reigning, and returning Savior. And may God use these days and our lives for His glory.
I love you, Church.
Pastor Dave
• Sunday School (9:30 am) • Worship (10:45 am) • Choir Rehearsal (4:30 pm) • Bible Study (6:00 pm) • Deacons' Meeting (7:00 pm) |
• Men's Bible Study (6:00 pm) |
• Ladies' Bible Study (6:00 pm) |
• Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center (1:00 pm) • Huddle Student Ministry (6:00 pm) |
• Sunday School (9:30am) • Worship (10:45am) • Choir Rehearsal (4:30pm) • Bible Study (6:00pm) • Deacons' Meeting (7:00pm) |
• Men's Bible Study (6:00pm) |
• Ladies' Bible Study (6:00pm) |
• Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center (1:00pm) • Huddle Student Ministry (6:00pm) |