20 20
AUGUST
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH J E F F E R S O N C I T Y, M O
The year 2020 is more than half over.
pandemic about trusting God. How can
Raise your hand if the past seven months
we experience God’s Spirit in fresh ways,
have gone as you planned. No? Me either.
even when familiar patterns of meeting,
Every day seems to bring new challenges,
planning and doing are limited?
UPCOMING We are currently in Phase 2 of our COVID-19 response
questions and dilemmas—both in my Our mission (below) has not changed. Our
plan. While we
God is still on the throne. Jesus Christ still
are not meeting
When the church was born on the Day
transforms lives and meets our deepest
yet on Sundays or
of Pentecost, believers were totally
needs. The Holy Spirit specializes in
dependent on God’s Spirit to lead. They
(humanly) impossible situations. Together,
Wednesdays, the
had no buildings or programs. But over
let’s see what love can do.
personal life and here at church.
time, all that changed. As the centuries
church office is open Monday – Thursday,
wore on, Christ followers seemed to say
OUR MISSION: We WELCOME warmly,
8am – 5pm, and
to God, “We’ve got this. We’re organized
GROW faithfully and SERVE generously,
some groups are
and have our structures in place. We have
leading people into LIFE-GIVING
able to meet. Contact
our buildings, our trained clergy and our
relationships with Christ and each other.
the church office
strategic plans. We don’t need you now. We can take it from here.” I don’t pretend that it’s quite that simple. But I have done a great deal of thinking about what we can learn during the
Grace,
Doyle
with questions or read more about our phases at fbcjc.org/virus.
s y a d n u S LIV E @ 8 :1 5
&
1 0A M
Watch online Sunday @ 8:15 & 10am on f a c e b o o k . c o m / f b c j c O R fo r yo u t u b e u s e : yo u t u b e . c o m / f b c j c O R a t f b c j c . o rg The important ministry of the church continues as we fulfill our vision to be Christ’s love and hope in our community during these unprecedented days. The methods may look different, but the mission is the same, and you are a vital part of this through your gifts and your prayers. Our faithful giving is a spiritual discipline we continue to practice as we trust God’s abundant provision.
2 - PRAISE & WORSHIP
During this time, we encourage you to continue to give online at fbcjc.org/give or by mailing your check to the church office. We are grateful to partner with you and with God in Kingdom work, especially in times like these. We are better, and stronger, together.
G IV I N G OP T I ON S 301 E. Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101
churchlife app
fbcjc.org/give
s
SERVING GENEROUSLY WITH HABITAT First Baptist is partnering with River City Habitat for Humanity and other local churches and congregations for the “Road to Recovery” blitz build – an initiative to build four homes for four families displaced by the May 2019 tornado. July 18 was our first workday at the Jackson Street site. Thank you to our FBC volunteers who worked construction (James and Rachael Preston, Katherine Preston Wilcox, Ron Medin, Bob Bell, Dale Feeler) and to Janet Wear-Enloe for providing a delicious lunch for all volunteers! If you’d like to volunteer with FBC on a future workday, contact Rachael Preston at 573-291-5485 or rpreston@mobankers.com for more information.
MISSIONS-
3
BACK TO SCHOOL: Supplying South School with Love August brings the return to school, and more than ever, a need for supplies for students and teachers. The following are items our church is collecting to provide to our partner school, South Elementary. Donations may be dropped off in the church office M-Th, 8am – 5pm, throughout the month of August.
Phase 3
REGATHERING FOR WORSHIP SURVEY RESULTS 197 Responses completed by July 1 (prior to the recent uptick in local cases). 85.3% watch our online worship services two-four times a month 55.8% would return to services now with social distancing and registration required, masks strongly recommended, no congregational singing, no nursery. 55.6% of those who would return under these conditions would attend the 8:15 am service, 44.4% the 10:45 am service. For those who said they would not attend in person yet if we opened, the biggest reasons were not wanting to register (34.3%), waiting until a vaccine (23.8%), and waiting until we can sing together (19%). 47.2% of respondents have participated in our online Bible Studies or Spiritual Formation opportunities. A majority want virtual and in-person small group opportunities.
Tissues Glue Sticks #2 Pencils Broadline Washable Classic Markers Dry Erase Black Markers 1� Plain 3 ring binders Small Index Cards 3x3 Post It notes Unscented Wipes Hand Sanitizer (Larger bottles preferred) Clorox Wipes
The respondents were overwhelmingly positive regarding their current physical, spiritual, and financial health. 53.5% of respondents were born between 1946-1964; 20.8% born between 1925-1945; and 19.8% between 1965-1983. The remaining responses were from those born 1984 or sooner. We also received several very helpful comments, overwhelmingly supportive of and grateful for our cautious approach to reopening and our creative approaches to ministry. Some other common themes: - continue to listen to science and health experts and be cautious - many explaining their age is the reason they would not be able to attend - a desire for online church to continue even if we return in person - a few requests to mandate masks and enforce social distancing if we gather again.
Women’s Bible Study and Gathering It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst Wednesdays beginning July 8 at 7pm using ZOOM. Last session August 19 Email, text or call Sondra Allen for ZOOM details and to acquire a book sallen091954@gmail.com or 573-230-4280
S P I R I T UA L FORMATION
Conversations on Life-Giving Relationships
Virtual Small Groups Aug 23 - Sept 27 O P E N T O A D U LT S O F A L L A G E S
GROUP OPTIONS & TIMES: In these challenging days, life-giving relationships are important. We need safe space for conversation, listening, and deep-spirited friendship. We hope you’ll join a Let’s Talk small group, meeting virtually beginning the week of August 23 and ending the week of September 27. Sign-ups will open on July 31. You may sign up online at fbcjc.org or call the church office Monday-Thursday between 8am-5pm. Friends are welcome. Email hannah@fbcjc.org with questions.
IN THIS TOGETHER - Marriage and Family Support led by James Preston, Thursdays @ 7pm
AUG 23 - SEPT 27 BEFRIEND - Create Belonging in an Age of Judgment, Isolation, and Fear led by Sondra Allen, Wednesdays @ 7pm TROUBLE I’VE SEEN - Changing the Way the Church Views Racism led by Doyle Sager, Wednesdays @ 5:30pm Copies of Drew Hart’s book available for $5. Let us know at sign up if you’d like us to purchase a copy for you.
SHARING THE FAITH - Living in Love, Humility, and Gentleness led by Noel Blythe, Mondays @ 6:30pm KINGDOM ALLEGIANCE - The Politics of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation led by Brian Kaylor, Sundays @ 10:45am on Sundays.
S P I R I T U A L F O R M AT I O N -
5
Children’s Time and Worship Guide Join our FBC worship service on Facebook or Youtube each Sunday morning at 10am, and watch for Children’s Time! Each week, we provide a worship guide, posted with our worship service. The guide has conversation starters, prayer prompts, and Bible points your family can use throughout the week.
Stay Tuned Our FBC volunteers and parents are providing feedback to help us plan for a year of learning, growing, and life-giving relationship. In the coming weeks, we will announce special opportunities for August and beyond.
6 - K I D S & FA M I LY
Choose Your Own Adventure VBS We celebrate the learning, joy, and relationship-building happening in our FBC families using Choose Your Own Adventure take-home VBS. Here are Mason, Jude, Annalina and Alastair—a few of our participants. Children are learning to trust God when they feel afraid, about several of the women in the Bible, Jesus’ teachings and miracles, and standing strong for what is right. Thank you to FBC’s volunteers and contributors who made this special take-home VBS a possibility!
M I SS ION
WE E K
REFUGE YOUTH SERVE THE CITY DURING MISSION WEEK 61 youth and adult leaders spent July 6 – 10 serving locally as we pivoted after canceling our summer mission trips due to COVID-19. Youth divided into their small groups to serve at various locations throughout the city. Our older youth worked at Habitat for Humanity on their Jackson Street Road to Recovery builds. Our younger youth worked for Community Christian Church, Parks and Recreation, Miller Performing Arts Center, and a couple home projects for FBC members. Each evening we joined as one youth family on Zoom for a video debrief and prayer time, and on Wednesday night, we enjoyed a private pool party at Memorial Pool! Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support to make this week possible!
Get text updates: RefugeJC to 313131
FIND US ONLINE @refugejc
refugejc.com
Fall Plans for Refuge are underway! We look forward to sharing more information in August!
R E F U G E YO U T H -
7
HOMEBOUND
FRIENDSHIP
FRIENDSHIP
Bob Dugger (8/3) 239 Karen Drive Room 31 Holts Summit, MO 65043
Friendship Singers are
NO Friendship Club scheduled for August.
BIRTHDAY
SINGERS
CLUB
cancelled until further notice as we adhere to the CDC recommendation that public
Shirley Sankpill (8/8) 1008 Halifax Holts Summit, MO 65043 Our homebound folks would love to hear from you and your families, even if you don’t know them. A simple note introducing yourself or sharing a favorite scripture verse or the text to a song or hymn would mean the world to them. Contact the church office for names and addresses. Your notes would truly bless them!
gatherings not exceed 10 people in order to slow the
During this time when we must physically distance remember to make phone calls and send letters to stay connected in spirit.
spread of COVID-19 and to
Seniors protect those who are most vulnerable among us!
THE N U MB E RS Bible Teaching Worship Attendance Attendance
Budget Offering
June 28
-
- $
11,275.75
July 5
-
- $
38,155.75
July 12
-
- $
33,900.00
July 19
-
- $
28,945.41
July 26 $
8,680.73
Sympathy
Weekly Budget Needs . . . . . . $ 25,905.90 Budget needs to date . . . . . . . $777,177.01Â Budget given to date . . . . . . . $641,274.44 Budget expenses to date* . . . $604,537.57 *not all invoices have been received
Rita Stonner and family in the death of her son in April. Family and friends of Kazuko Zimmerman. Gabrielle Wittenberger and family in the death of her father. John Luker and family in the death of his mother. Family and friends of J.B. (Darrell) Jackson. Pat Swearingen and family in the death of her nephew. Family and friends of Beth Brown. Family and friends of Willard Reine. Family and friends of Earl Manning.
301 E. Capitol Ave. / Jefferson City, MO 65101 / fbcjc.org / 573.634.3603