Currently at the day of this post there have been 2 reported cased of COVID-19 in Missouri, with 2 more yet to be confirmed. There have not been any reports of the virus in Pettis County.
What Are We Doing at East Sedalia Baptist Church?
We are still hosting our main Sunday service. This includes our Sunday School, nursery, and children’s church programs on Sunday morning.
In order for us to safely gather on Sunday, we are taking extra steps to prepare:
- We are keeping physical contact to a minimum, stocking our soap and paper towels, and ensuring hand sanitizer is available.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home.
- We will not be passing a plate for our offering but will have a plate located at the back for donations.
- We will be using our screen for song lyrics rather than hymnals.
- There is plenty of room for social distancing (6 feet is recommended).
- During the Pastoral Prayer, we will spend time praying for government officials, medical professionals, and those affected by COVID-19 and I’ll give further pastoral guidance on what our church can do to care for our members and our community.
- We also encourage everyone to follow personal guidelines from medical professionals such as washing hands for 20 seconds with soap, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and stay home when you are sick.
We are cancelling our Wednesday night activities (3/18). This time will be used to clean thoroughly the various areas of our facilities so they will be ready for our Sunday service. If you can assist with the cleaning, please come by Monday or Thursday and David will direct you where you can help. We will inform the congregation if further cancellations are needed in the coming weeks.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” The above precautions are not taken out of fear but out of love for our neighbor.
The interventions outlined above are a demonstration of the love that we have for our neighbors. We love our elderly neighbors who are at greater risk. We love our neighbors in the medical profession who are will be overwhelmed by the response if we do nothing. We love our state and local leaders by helping them spread the word. We love our church family by caring well for them. We love all of our neighbors by praying for them and by approaching this issue with a calm assurance that God is in control.
As people of faith, we have confidence in the Lord. He is a good and gracious God who is with us in times of need. Our church’s response should not be mistaken for a lack of faith. Rather, we are exercising godly wisdom and demonstrating God’s love to our neighbor.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Tim