Beloved,

It has been a little more than a year since that fateful day our church leadership met and decided to cancel services due to Covid. That was a difficult and heartbreaking decision, especially knowing that we would all spend Easter Sunday locked up in our homes. Yet, the Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made (Psalm 145:9). Thankfully, FBCJ has been meeting for Sunday School and corporate worship for many months without any outbreak. Case numbers are way down, CDC guidelines for social distancing have become less stringent, indoor gathers are 100%, and many in our community have been vaccinated. We rejoice in these blessings! Added to these blessings, God has seen fit to bless us with a tremendous increase in our worship attendance. We are now averaging (and even exceeding) our pre-COVID worship attendance, including many visitors who are looking for a church home. May we all give God the glory!

We have noticed in the past several Sundays that the social distancing signs have been causing some confusion with seating this influx of worshippers. In anticipation of Easter, we called a quick Deacon’s meeting this past Sunday. After some discussion, we felt it best to remove the “do not sit” signs effective this Sunday (4/4). Additionally, we will resume choir practice and begin passing the offering plates the following Sunday (4/11). We recognize that God is blessing our church, and we want to walk by faith. Be assured that if COVID numbers rise tremendously, precautions can be taken, but we feel that it is time to move forward.

As always, we encourage everyone to take personal responsibility for his/her own health. Feel free to wear a mask as we will continue to offer masks and provide hand sanitizer. Fortunately, our sanctuary is large enough to allow for social distancing for those who choose, and we trust that you will seat yourself as you are comfortable. As we make this transition, please continue to be considerate and loving to one another as is our custom, remembering that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. In this way we will maintain love and unity in our church family and display the love of Christ before the watching world to the glory of His name.

See you Sunday!

 

Bro. Brian