In light of the need to provide for the health of both the church and community, FBC has suspended our in-person gatherings and regular ministries for the time being.
First Baptist Church continues to be committed to living out the love of God in these circumstances by caring for our neighbors, our church family and one another, encouraging each other and remaining connected.
Here’s our current ministry focus right now at First Baptist Church:
Worship will need to be online for a while; and we are working to establish the easiest ways for people to be able to join us in worship online.
We encourage everyone who is able to join us at 10am and check-in through the comments/chat section as a way of sharing that we have gathered in spirit. The service recording will be available afterward for those who can’t join at that time.
Please note that you will not be able to join the meeting until it goes ‘live’ following the worship service on Sunday.
You may want to try the link anyway to install Zoom on your web browser or to install the app on your phone or tablet ahead of time. Our evening devotional times at 7pm are also a way to check in and test out Zoom before Sunday.
Here’s a link on what Zoom is and how to use it.
Links to these events will be posted here by Friday; check back soon!
During this time when we are being discouraged from gathering in person and minimizing our personal contact with others, it’s vitally important that we find ways to stay connected with one another.
Our staff and leadership are developing ways to make sure we can be in communication with all our members, especially those who are unable to connect online.
At the same time, we encourage every member and friend of FBC to reach out to one another, check in on each other and see how things are going, particularly those who may be more isolated. Call, text, send a card or a letter. If you know of someone who is struggling, or who may need some help, do what you can, and let the church know so that we can respond together.
We are also thinking up creative ways that each of us can share and check in with each other online; from sharing a story of where you’re seeing God at work in the midst of this, to sending in silly hat photos… We all need both spiritual encouragement and a good laugh — and sometimes they’re one and the same.
One of our primary ways we’ll have to share information quickly will be via. email; if you would like to stay in touch with latest developments, please email us at: info@fbcblm.org
Our LOGOS program is not meeting in person, but our LOGOS team is hard at work to reach out to our families. We will be posting videos, devotional material, resources, and finding other ways to stay connected.
Likewise, our Small Groups and Sunday Classes are not meeting, but we are in the process of adding ways we can share devotionals, resources, and ways to pray for one another.
In the coming weeks, look for Zoom meetings to be posted that will allow us to gather online for Bible study and prayer.
First Baptist Church remains committed to reaching out to our community to bear witness to God’s love in action and in word.
We continue to partner with Sugar Creek Elementary School, collaborating in providing food packs and other supplies.
Volunteers from church continue to serve at Safe Harbor, Faith In Action, and other local agencies.
We will be posting ways that healthy individuals can care for the community and help folks in a variety of ways, and we are committed to doing what we can to help those who are affected by the indirect effects of coronavirus and its economic impacts.
We are working hard to realign our entire way of doing ministry in this time; it takes time, and there will be bumps along the way. Let us know how we can best help you in this time, and please be patient with us in the process!
That said – it is a reminder that *we* – all of us – are the church; and this time presents us a unique opportunity to live that out together. May God bless and sustain each of us in spirit and in body in these days!
Grace and Peace,
-Pastor Brian
