Dear First Baptist family:
I trust that you are enjoying your long Thanksgiving weekend, even if it looks dramatically different than usual. Giving thanks to God is always a worthwhile endeavor, especially when we find ourselves in a hard season, as it hits the reset button on our minds and hearts.
I need to communicate to you a decision that was made by the diaconate on Wednesday evening. With the threshold of 10% community spread of COVID-19 being reached last weekend, and the new “red level” restrictions imposed by the Tippecanoe County Health Department that went into effect on Tuesday, we felt it was important to discuss what our response should be.
At this time, we have decided to resume virtual worship only on Sunday mornings. This means that at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday morning, November 29, you will be able to live stream our worship service from our website. Or, beginning at 1 p.m., you will be able to watch the recording of the service “on demand” at the time of your choosing. If you would appreciate receiving a DVD instead, please notify Jean in the church office on Monday morning (admin @ firstbaptistlafayette . org or 742-5223).
We will continue with virtual worship only until the community moves down from the 10% spread, coinciding with a return to the “orange” level as described by Tippecanoe County’s Health Department.
We are, of course, reluctant to make this move as we believe gathering together for the worship of God is vital to our life of faith. But it’s also very important that we pay attention to what is happening in our community right now – and then change our behavior to accommodate the needs of all. After all, this is a tangible way that we can demonstrate our love of neighbor as self.
And on that note, I have a favor to ask. So many of you generously offered to call a particular church member weekly back in the spring- thank you for that! And if you did so, could you make sure that your assigned individual or family receives this message about resuming virtual worship only?
Despite having to adapt our plans for worship, I am looking forward to worshipping God with you as we begin the season of Advent this Sunday. Advent is the time of year when we prepare ourselves for the amazing gift of God in Christ Jesus. This year, we’ll be considering together the idea of dreaming. What if we gave ourselves the time and the space to dream new dreams? To dream God’s dreams? Start thinking about what dreams you have. . . what dreams are being stirred in your heart and mind?
May the peace of Christ rule in all of our hearts and minds, even in these days.
With Great Hope,
Pastor Lisa Williams Hood
