Member Safety Will Always Take Precedence
Dear MBC Church Family,
Going into the Virtual Day of Prayer last week, one of the questions that we were seeking an answer to was when will the church be able to conduct public worship again. Since then, the answer has become clearer to us. Guidance from health officials that cover various stages of readiness indicate that the church is not yet in a position to safely resume services as normal, despite the pleas and intervention from political leaders. Member safety will always take precedence over political and financial considerations.
According to the guidelines, many of our activities in worship will carry too great a risk to meet any time soon. They include no congregational singing or choirs, and no holy kisses or holy hugs. These are some of the things that we enjoy when worshiping together. The guidelines recommend that these and other activities be permitted only when the risk of transmission of the virus is minimal. That takes place during the last stage of readiness. Consequently, only when it’s safe for our most vulnerable members will it be safe for us to return. Until then, we are blessed to have a worship team in place to make it possible for us to still share in prayers, testimonies, singing, and God’s Word, even while we remain separated from each other.
The need for fellowship with others, though, can be intense. So, to stay connected to each other and still experience the presence of God, some of us have found much comfort in the daily noontime prayer meetings and the Thursday night Bible Study. Although we’re not ready yet to safely return to normal, if anyone feels the need for special prayer, someone will always be at the church at noon every day of the week and Thursday nights to safely pray for them.
We can also go online to the church’s website to submit prayer requests and testimonies to be shared during our worship services and daily prayer times. Until we’re able to meet again in-person, continue to let others know that they can join us remotely. Here are the details to pass along: by Skype: https://join.skype.com/P8TRBZjej8aU; by conference call: Dial-in: (978) 990-5159, Access Code: 294069; or by direct dial without an access code: (339) 209-5068.
If lines are busy, text the following to either number: CALL ME. The conference line will call you back. Follow the prompts to join.
· Sunday morning Worship Service (11:30am)
· Monday through Saturday Noontime Prayer (12:00pm-1:00pm)
· Thursday evening Bible Study (7:00pm – 8:00pm)
The grounds of the church are open as well for anyone who may want to stop by to meditate and pray in a safe environment outdoors to stay in touch with God as they walk The Stations of the Cross.
God bless and keep you and your family.
Dennis V. Jefferson, Pastor
Meadows Baptist Church
