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JUNE
F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H //J E F F E R S O N C I T Y, M O
Beloved FBC family: Oh, how I miss seeing you! I’m beginning to identify with the Apostle Paul when he wrote those letters to churches and told them how much he ached to be with them physically (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, for example). Though we all long to be together again, the facts tell us we must move slowly and continue to exercise caution. For all our wishing, COVID-19 is not going away quickly. At the heart of our FBC witness is the call to love our neighbors, doing all we can to protect one another from the virus. I imagine the primary question on your mind is this: when will we worship together in person? The answer is still: not yet. While these days involve difficult decisions, and we deeply miss gathering together, we are committed to planning for the long game, not for immediate gratification. We love you and want us all to be healthy in the next 12 to 24 months. After consulting with medical personnel and church leadership, we will implement a reopening phase in June, focused on the church office and small groups of
10 or fewer in adherence to local health recommendations of six-feet physical distancing and disinfecting protocols. You can read more about this phase on page 2 of the Beacon. This will give us time to see how things continue to progress in our community. While we have created some detailed plans to move us forward in the weeks and months ahead, remember all plans are fluid and subject to change if recommendations of local health officials tighten or loosen in response to COVID-19 cases in our area. This is a marathon, friends, but one we will walk and run together. We love you. We will continue to work hard to fulfill our vision to be Christ’s love and hope. I’m so very grateful for the tremendous work of our staff and volunteers during these days, and you can count on this continued faithful commitment throughout this season. God bless and care for you today and each day.
Grace,
Doyle
UPCOMING We have suspended ALL Sunday & Wednesday gatherings/activities in accordance with the CDC recommendation that public gatherings not exceed 10 people in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Go to fbcjc.org/virus for complete info.
s y a d n u S @ 1 0A M
Watch online Sunday @ 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
REGATHERING FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, JEFFERSON CITY, MO
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PHASES
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SHELTER-IN-PLACE
Late March through May 31 Worship is online only. Small groups are online only. Building and offices are closed while staff work from home.
REOPENING BEGINS SLOWLY Beginning Monday, June 1
Worship is online only. Small groups continue to meet online, but on and off-campus small gatherings may meet in adherence to safety procedures recommended by local health officials. As of May 17, group size recommendation is 10 or fewer. Physical distancing of 6 feet will be maintained. Masks are encouraged/requested when sharing space with other. On-campus gatherings must be calendared with church office to help with staggering groups. On-campus groups will not meet on weekends. High-risk individuals are asked not to attend in person events. Church office re-opens, but building will remain closed for public until further notice.
WORSHIP GATHERINGS RESUME Start Date TBD
Worship in person resumes with modifications. More details about special procedures are coming later.
All phases are fluid and will be evaluated regularly in response to the recommendations of local health officials and community cases of COVID-19. Disinfecting and distancing protocols will be maintained. Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own. High risk individuals are encouraged to not gather in person but allow us to continue to bring church to you.
FBC Kids Virtual Gatherings Beginning in June, we’ll start age-level virtual gatherings for children led by our children’s Bible teachers. Preschoolers (3-5 year olds) will meet on Sunday mornings at 9am. Parents, our teachers will email you with a link to join the meeting. Our kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade groups will soon announce their meeting day and time.
June and July Story Time Pastor Hannah will share one story time video per week during the months of June and July. All of our previous story time videos can be accessed on our church’s YouTube channel.
4 - K I D S & FA M I LY
Choose Your Own Adventure Virtual VBS Register now for virtual VBS, launching June 22nd. Families who register will receive curriculum, digital content (music and videos), and a supply box. Our VBS is designed for children ages three years old through fifth grade. Participation is free of charge. Please register by June 7. Although we are unable to physically gather for VBC and Sports Camp this summer, God is at work in your family. Adventure awaits for each of you!
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.
MIS S ION
W E E K
Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10 Youth grades 6-12 in 2019-2020 AND a member of Refuge Register online at refugejc.com. Registration closes Thursday, June 18 at 11:59pm.
Get text updates: RefugeJC to 313131
Cost: $30/person
FIND US ONLINE @refugejc
refugejc.com
MISSION WEEK DAILY SCHEDULE: 8:30 – 11:30 am Meet at local work project site for assigned small group. 11:30 am Lunch and devo at work sites 12:00 – 2:00 pm / Work projects continue. Youth picked up at work project at 2 pm.
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE MIDWEEK ONLINE Join us Wednesday nights for MIDWEEK Online June 3, 10, and 17. We will not meet June 24. Middle School @ 7 pm High School @ 8 pm
2 – 7:30 pm / To personal homes for clean-up, down time, supper.
Zoom links at refugejc.com/zoom. Password each week is refugejc.
7:00 pm / Evening Event (This may be YouTube Live only or some small groups may gather to watch together. Decisions will be made closer to time.)
CONNECT WITH US
*Plans are based on current local health department recommendations. If things change closer to the dates, we will make adjustments. In the event of a cancellation, unspent funds can be refunded or applied to another Refuge event.
Each week, we post new content to our Youtube video, like the youth devotional videos, “In My Own Words”. Check it out and subscribe. youtube.com/refugejc
Go to refugejc.com/connect.html to connect with us via email, texting, and all our social media accounts. During these days, this is the very best way to connect with Refuge.
R E F U G E YO U T H -
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Pandemic Does Not Stop FBC Missions The FBC Missions Leadership team continues to address FBC mission activities. Although travel is not feasible, our partners at home and abroad have not been neglected. Some of the funds allocated for travel have been redirected to Kenya and Ukraine. Detailed reports about their activities have been received. Among the highlights, assistance was provided to the House of Mercy in Ukraine which provides shelter for fifteen homeless persons who are elderly or have disabilities. Other funds were sent to help support a “family to family food package project” in L’viv Ukraine. ‘The Well’ in Kenya responded to COVID-19 by welcoming four high risk families, several children, five teachers and four house parents to reside in the facility. Classrooms were converted into bedroom and 4 months of food was stockpiled. FBC’s support enabled them to purchase mattresses, sheets, and blankets for the newcomers, and helps to provide food for those residing there as well as well as more than twenty others outside the gate. Financial assistance was also sent to the Smiths, who serve as on-site missionaries in Kenya. Locally, planned allocations continue for the Samaritan Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Pregnancy Help Center, Common Ground, and Salvation Army.
Children the Well in Kenya enjoy craft time with playdough.
FBC also responded with a modest contribution to a request from the Baptist World Alliance as it provides emergency assistance to eighty different countries for hunger, persecution, and helping church planters and Baptist leaders. A couple in L’viv, Ukraine, receives food from Disciples Church.
The groundwork is currently being laid for FBC’s participation in Habitat for Humanity’s project to build four homes in partnership with victims of the 2019 tornado. In light of COVID-19, this project is being modified to ensure the health and safety of participants. Thank you for your support of missions at FBC, and please continue to pray for mission partners as they strive to help others during this challenging time. A group of residents and volunteers fellowship in Kiev, Ukraine. >>
River City Habitat for Humanity Prepares for Construction Projects - Volunteers Needed River City Habitat for Humanity is methodically and prudently gearing up for its Jackson Street Build where four homes will be built for families affected by last May’s tornado. FBCJC is a HH partner along with other churches and organizations. The Mission Leadership Team is looking for volunteers. Teams will work in small groups and special protocols and precautions will be followed to ensure the health and safety of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer or simply want to know more, please contact Rachael Preston at 573-291-5485.
S P I R I T UA L FORMATION Grow Faithfully Here are two ways we can stay connected and growing together: Sunday Virtual Bible Study In June we will continue to have virtual Bible study via Zoom on Sunday’s at 10:45am. We will rotate teachers and have small-group breakout sessions within the meeting. Email hannah@ fbcjc.org for an invitation to join the Zoom call. Our topic for the month of June is “The Beloved Disciple,” studies in the Gospel of John. RightNow Media During this time of physical distancing, there are many online resources for spiritual formation. Our congregation has a subscription to RightNow media, which gives you FREE access to stream thousands of Bible teaching and discipleship videos for adults, teens, and children. Follow this link to set up your RightNow media access: rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/fbcjc Email hannah@fbcjc.org with questions. S P I R I T U A L F O R M AT I O N -
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HOMEBOUND
FRIENDSHIP
FRIENDSHIP
Of our 30+ Homebound folks,
Friendship Singers are
there are no June birthdays,
cancelled until further notice
NO Friendship Club scheduled for June.
but this would be a great
as we adhere to the CDC
time to write notes to any
recommendation that public
or all of them. They would
gatherings not exceed 10
love to hear from you and
people in order to slow the
your families, even if you
spread of COVID-19 and to
don’t know them. A simple
protect those who are most
note introducing yourself or
vulnerable among us!
BIRTHDAY
SINGERS
CLUB
During this time when we must physically distance remember to make phone calls and send letters to stay connected in spirit.
Seniors
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!
THE N U MB E RS Bible Teaching Worship Attendance Attendance
Budget Offering
Apr 26
-
- $
16,651.29
May 5
-
- $
42,291.50
May 12
-
- $
17,438.02
May 19
-
- $
14,211.25
Weekly Budget Needs . . . . . . $ 25,905.90 Budget needs to date . . . . . . $ 518,118.00Â Budget given to date . . . . . . . $ 430,201.53 Budget expenses to date* . . . $ 405,132.93 *not all invoices have been received
Joan Marsch and family in t h e d e a t h o f h e r n e p h e w.
S Y M PAT H Y
J a s o n a n d We n d y Fox i n t h e death of their son.
301 E. Capitol Ave. / Jefferson City, MO 65101 / fbcjc.org / 573.634.3603