Hi everyone!
I miss seeing all of you and Julie sends her love! As you have already heard, Julie and I were both diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia in both of our lungs on March 9th and we’re presently on our second round of antibiotics. With Julie’s compromised immune system she has had pneumonia numerous times through the years, but this is the first time for me. Right now we are both breathing better, but we’re still very fatigued, dizzy, aching and coughing up stuff from our lungs. Yesterday I was told by Panhandle Health that they classify me as moderate risk and Julie at high risk so not only are we to continue to stay at home, but also if and when I do need to go out I must follow the guidelines of social distancing like everyone else. We so much appreciate your prayers on our behalf!
The national and global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are now experiencing has affected every area of our society and economy! No one knows how long this unprecedented and challenging time will last and the unique trials it will bring into each of our lives. This invisible enemy has stripped away from people the illusion of being in control of our lives and has exposed just how vulnerable we really are. Therefore, it is understandable that unbelievers “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12) would be full of worry, anxiety and fear during these difficult and uncertain times. Those whose hope is in this life only have no eternal hope, and therefore, have every reason to be afraid.
However, we who personally have a loving heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ and have eternal life, both now and for eternity, must not respond to this trial in the same fearful ways. I know that some of you are facing the loss of a job and the resulting financial concerns, personal health challenges and concern over the safety of loved ones during this pandemic. But our sovereign Lord is in total control of this situation. Although He does not promise to keep us from experiencing the impact of living in a fallen, sinful world, He assures us in His Word that He not only knows and cares about our situation, but also promises to provide for all our needs. Our God promises to give us the grace to handle whatever comes into our lives and is all-powerful to “cause all things to work together for our greatest good and His highest glory” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 8:28).
Since our God is our hope, refuge and strength (Psalm 46; Psalm 62:5-8; Psalm 91), we must not worry and fret, but continue to put childlike trust in Him (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7). Only as we trust and obey Christ will we experience the Spirit’s fruit of joy and peace during this viral outbreak and be a bright light and witness to those without Christ who observe our response.
Until we are able to meet together again in safety at the church, beginning next week I will be personally calling every family on a regular basis to see how you are doing and how I can be praying for you, writing you a weekly email, and beginning this Sunday providing a special message each Sunday from the Word of God. This message will either be a hand-picked message from the past posted on the home page of our church website or a live message posted on Facebook as I quickly learn how to utilize this technology. Julie will have on our website for tomorrow my message from James 1:2-4 entitled, Turning Mountains into Maturity. I hope this is an encouragement to you.
I’m so thankful for Don’s leadership over the last couple of weeks while I have been sick and encourage you to print out “the practical WORSHIP, CONNECT, SERVE ideas to keep God and FBC in the picture” that he gave us in the most recent This Week at FBC. These are a great way to help keep us connected as a church family as we navigate the rapidly changing environment of this unprecedented crisis and weather the storm together. I would also suggest that you use your FBC Church Directory to pray regularly for the health and safety of each person in our church family. And to check your email daily for any specific prayer requests from people in our congregation.
As a church family we are in this together! And we have a wonderful opportunity to live out Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In Christ love,
Mark
I miss seeing all of you and Julie sends her love! As you have already heard, Julie and I were both diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia in both of our lungs on March 9th and we’re presently on our second round of antibiotics. With Julie’s compromised immune system she has had pneumonia numerous times through the years, but this is the first time for me. Right now we are both breathing better, but we’re still very fatigued, dizzy, aching and coughing up stuff from our lungs. Yesterday I was told by Panhandle Health that they classify me as moderate risk and Julie at high risk so not only are we to continue to stay at home, but also if and when I do need to go out I must follow the guidelines of social distancing like everyone else. We so much appreciate your prayers on our behalf!
The national and global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are now experiencing has affected every area of our society and economy! No one knows how long this unprecedented and challenging time will last and the unique trials it will bring into each of our lives. This invisible enemy has stripped away from people the illusion of being in control of our lives and has exposed just how vulnerable we really are. Therefore, it is understandable that unbelievers “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12) would be full of worry, anxiety and fear during these difficult and uncertain times. Those whose hope is in this life only have no eternal hope, and therefore, have every reason to be afraid.
However, we who personally have a loving heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ and have eternal life, both now and for eternity, must not respond to this trial in the same fearful ways. I know that some of you are facing the loss of a job and the resulting financial concerns, personal health challenges and concern over the safety of loved ones during this pandemic. But our sovereign Lord is in total control of this situation. Although He does not promise to keep us from experiencing the impact of living in a fallen, sinful world, He assures us in His Word that He not only knows and cares about our situation, but also promises to provide for all our needs. Our God promises to give us the grace to handle whatever comes into our lives and is all-powerful to “cause all things to work together for our greatest good and His highest glory” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 8:28).
Since our God is our hope, refuge and strength (Psalm 46; Psalm 62:5-8; Psalm 91), we must not worry and fret, but continue to put childlike trust in Him (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7). Only as we trust and obey Christ will we experience the Spirit’s fruit of joy and peace during this viral outbreak and be a bright light and witness to those without Christ who observe our response.
Until we are able to meet together again in safety at the church, beginning next week I will be personally calling every family on a regular basis to see how you are doing and how I can be praying for you, writing you a weekly email, and beginning this Sunday providing a special message each Sunday from the Word of God. This message will either be a hand-picked message from the past posted on the home page of our church website or a live message posted on Facebook as I quickly learn how to utilize this technology. Julie will have on our website for tomorrow my message from James 1:2-4 entitled, Turning Mountains into Maturity. I hope this is an encouragement to you.
I’m so thankful for Don’s leadership over the last couple of weeks while I have been sick and encourage you to print out “the practical WORSHIP, CONNECT, SERVE ideas to keep God and FBC in the picture” that he gave us in the most recent This Week at FBC. These are a great way to help keep us connected as a church family as we navigate the rapidly changing environment of this unprecedented crisis and weather the storm together. I would also suggest that you use your FBC Church Directory to pray regularly for the health and safety of each person in our church family. And to check your email daily for any specific prayer requests from people in our congregation.
As a church family we are in this together! And we have a wonderful opportunity to live out Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In Christ love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
Julie and I pray for the health and safety of each one of you daily. Thank you for praying for us as well as we continue to try to get over our pneumonia. We are gradually getting better, but still dealing with fatigue and coughing up crud, which makes my voice come and go and difficult to talk.
In my first email I wanted to encourage you with the truth that although no one knows how long this worldwide COVID-19 outbreak will last, God does! He is not only in sovereign control of this pandemic, but also all the impact it has on your individual life and the lives of those you love. Although the fearful reactions of unbelievers clearly reveal that they have placed their hope in temporal, earthly things, which are being stripped away and exposing their vulnerability, we as believers should not respond as they do. Your loving heavenly Father is not only with you in this event, but He also knows what you are going through, He cares and promises to provide for your needs. He is working out His will in your life, so you must not worry and fret but continue to put childlike faith in Him. In His omnipotent power He has promised to cause all things to work together for your greatest good and His highest glory.
Since God’s ultimate goal in all of our lives as His children is to make us more like Christ (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28), He especially uses trials as a special means to bring this about. Therefore, last Sunday I had Julie feature on the home page of our website my message from James 1:2-4 entitled Turning Mountains into Maturity. My intention was to help us understand more clearly what God is ultimately doing in all our lives through this difficult crisis.
However, the degree to which each of us will be conformed more into the likeness of Christ in the midst of trials depends on our willingness to continue to trust God. God uses trials, such as the Coronavirus and its impact in our lives, to teach us many things. Such as: revealing what we really love above Him (Genesis 22:1-14; Hebrews 11:17-19); weaning us from earthly things (Colossians 3:1-3); giving us a greater longing for the hope of heaven (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-2); and preparing us to better help others (Luke 22:31-32; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). But primarily through our trials He is testing our faith in Him to teach us to trust Him more (Exodus 15:25; 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:1-16).
In all the unknown and uncertainty of life going on around us right now, when God seems silent, when His ways make no sense, and when what was once predictable, routine and normal is dramatically changed, it is especially then that God says to us, “TRUST ME!” We are told in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God knows that trusting Him in difficult trials is not easy for sinful people, but He will give us the grace to trust and obey Him when we desperately cling to and depend on Him. This is exactly where He wants us to be! Just as Job and the prophet Habakkuk had to learn this lesson when their faith was severely tested, so each one of us must learn this lesson as well. Most of us know the story of Job, but not Habakkuk. Although the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk is short and addresses a different situation than a global pandemic, there is much we can learn from the conversations between Habakkuk and God that we can apply to how we are to respond in faith to our present crisis.
Julie has featured on the home page of our website my two messages on Habakkuk. The first message covers Habakkuk 1:1-2:1. It’s entitled The Strangeness of God’s Ways and describes the crisis that Habakkuk was experiencing. And the second message covers Habakkuk 2:2-3:19. It’s entitled I Will Praise the Lord, Anyway! and it reveals how Habakkuk learned to trust God, so that He could truly praise Him in the midst of his trials. I hope that the truths of God’s Word in these two messages will deeply encourage you and also challenge you to do an honest evaluation of your own trust in the Lord and commitment to obey what He calls you to do during this difficult time.
Since not many were interested in me streaming live messages on Facebook and my voice is still pretty rough, I’ll continue to feature appropriate messages on our website so the most amount of our people can hear them. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. We’re in this together!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Julie and I pray for the health and safety of each one of you daily. Thank you for praying for us as well as we continue to try to get over our pneumonia. We are gradually getting better, but still dealing with fatigue and coughing up crud, which makes my voice come and go and difficult to talk.
In my first email I wanted to encourage you with the truth that although no one knows how long this worldwide COVID-19 outbreak will last, God does! He is not only in sovereign control of this pandemic, but also all the impact it has on your individual life and the lives of those you love. Although the fearful reactions of unbelievers clearly reveal that they have placed their hope in temporal, earthly things, which are being stripped away and exposing their vulnerability, we as believers should not respond as they do. Your loving heavenly Father is not only with you in this event, but He also knows what you are going through, He cares and promises to provide for your needs. He is working out His will in your life, so you must not worry and fret but continue to put childlike faith in Him. In His omnipotent power He has promised to cause all things to work together for your greatest good and His highest glory.
Since God’s ultimate goal in all of our lives as His children is to make us more like Christ (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28), He especially uses trials as a special means to bring this about. Therefore, last Sunday I had Julie feature on the home page of our website my message from James 1:2-4 entitled Turning Mountains into Maturity. My intention was to help us understand more clearly what God is ultimately doing in all our lives through this difficult crisis.
However, the degree to which each of us will be conformed more into the likeness of Christ in the midst of trials depends on our willingness to continue to trust God. God uses trials, such as the Coronavirus and its impact in our lives, to teach us many things. Such as: revealing what we really love above Him (Genesis 22:1-14; Hebrews 11:17-19); weaning us from earthly things (Colossians 3:1-3); giving us a greater longing for the hope of heaven (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-2); and preparing us to better help others (Luke 22:31-32; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). But primarily through our trials He is testing our faith in Him to teach us to trust Him more (Exodus 15:25; 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:1-16).
In all the unknown and uncertainty of life going on around us right now, when God seems silent, when His ways make no sense, and when what was once predictable, routine and normal is dramatically changed, it is especially then that God says to us, “TRUST ME!” We are told in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God knows that trusting Him in difficult trials is not easy for sinful people, but He will give us the grace to trust and obey Him when we desperately cling to and depend on Him. This is exactly where He wants us to be! Just as Job and the prophet Habakkuk had to learn this lesson when their faith was severely tested, so each one of us must learn this lesson as well. Most of us know the story of Job, but not Habakkuk. Although the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk is short and addresses a different situation than a global pandemic, there is much we can learn from the conversations between Habakkuk and God that we can apply to how we are to respond in faith to our present crisis.
Julie has featured on the home page of our website my two messages on Habakkuk. The first message covers Habakkuk 1:1-2:1. It’s entitled The Strangeness of God’s Ways and describes the crisis that Habakkuk was experiencing. And the second message covers Habakkuk 2:2-3:19. It’s entitled I Will Praise the Lord, Anyway! and it reveals how Habakkuk learned to trust God, so that He could truly praise Him in the midst of his trials. I hope that the truths of God’s Word in these two messages will deeply encourage you and also challenge you to do an honest evaluation of your own trust in the Lord and commitment to obey what He calls you to do during this difficult time.
Since not many were interested in me streaming live messages on Facebook and my voice is still pretty rough, I’ll continue to feature appropriate messages on our website so the most amount of our people can hear them. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. We’re in this together!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
Julie and I continue to pray daily for the health and safety of you and your family. Our recovery from pneumonia has been like the proverbial 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. Whereas we have been better in certain respects, in others we have continued to struggle. Julie has had a low-grade fever for the last 10 days and I started having one since Wednesday. Therefore, yesterday Panhandle Health told us to go to their drive-thru lab and be tested for the Flu and Coronavirus. Also, to wear a mask if we need to go outside the home for an essential reason, so that we don’t infect anyone with whatever we have. The test results showed yesterday that neither of us have the Flu. But the COVID-19 results won’t come back until early next week. Although we don’t expect to test positive for the Coronavirus, it will be good to have confirmation of that. Our ongoing symptoms may just be an indication that our bodies are having a rough time recovering from our pneumonia. We are not worried because our trust is in the Lord who has our lives in His hands, but we want to wisely take all the precautions for our safety and the safety of others. Thank you so much for your continued prayers on our behalf!
It has now been 22 days since the elders temporarily suspended all church services and events at Fellowship Bible Church. This was a difficult decision but it was based on 3 biblical principles: 1) submission to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-3); heeding wise counsel both inside and outside the church (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6); and putting the interests (i.e. health and safety) of others before our own (Philippians 2:3-4). Although we all have many legitimate concerns during this unprecedented crisis in our nation and world, we as believers must not panic and allow worry, anxiety and fear to control us but we must choose to trust our loving heavenly Father, who is in sovereign control of each one of our lives in the midst of this pandemic. Our hope is in Christ and not in ourselves, for both now and for eternity, and He calls us to trust Him through all the difficulties and uncertainties of this time! Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
What’s on my heart this week to share with you is how the reality of our trust in Christ is lived out in our relationships with others, first and foremost with our families. The saying is true, “Trials don’t make us; they merely reveal us.” The difficult situations of life don’t make us what we are, but merely reveal what is already there. In other words, when life squeezes us, what is inside us comes out. Trials reveal whether we truly trust the Lord and are manifesting the fruit of a Spirit-controlled life, or whether we are not trusting Him and manifesting the deeds of the flesh instead. And this reality is seen most clearly in our relationships at home.
As the number of total cases of infected people and deaths from the Coronavirus continue to rise, the historic unemployment rate is having devastating effects on our economy and on peoples’ financial security, and with the “stay-at-home” order now in effect, it is not surprising that there are news reports of increased relational tensions, conflicts and even abuse (i.e. domestic violence) in homes by stressed out, frustrated and fearful people. But since we as believers have the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit always available to us, we have the God-given ability to respond differently as we daily depend on Him!
God calls us in His Word to continually, moment-by-moment “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). It is only as we are controlled by the Spirit that we will not manifest the love-violating, intimacy-destroying deeds of the flesh in our relationships (Galatians 5:19-21), but instead manifest the Spirit’s loving fruit in all our relationships (Galatians 5:22-23), especially at home.
During this crisis we have the unique opportunity to trust in Christ and reflect His love first to our spouse and children, and then to others. When we do, we not only represent Christ well at home, but also are bright lights to a fearful, hopeless world who desperately needs to see the reality and power of the living Christ in the lives of those who profess Him (John 13:34-35).
Here are some practical ways to make sure you are daily controlled by the Spirit:
1) Since God never commands you to do what He has not already given you the resources to obey by His grace, begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and control you. Reaffirm the Spirit’s filling throughout the day, so that your foremost desire in every situation is only to glorify God.
2) Surrender all your legitimate concerns and desires over to the Lord, so that they do not become illegitimate demands and expectations on others. For unmet demands and expectations will always lead to sinful, angry responses that violate love.
3) Spend time daily in the Word of God and in prayer. The more God’s Word dominates your heart and mind, the more the Author of the Word of God (i.e. the Spirit of God) can control your thoughts, words and deeds to reflect Christ to others.
4) When you fail, quickly confess your sin (1 John 1:9), claim your forgiveness by God in Christ, ask forgiveness from those you have hurt, and once again be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Maintaining Christ-like love and Christian unity in our families during this difficult time must be a priority for each one of us as believers. To help you to do this, Julie has featured on the home page of our website my message from Philippians 2:1-4, entitled A Call to Christian Unity. Since the biblical principles for maintaining unity “in the church” are the same for “in the home,” I pray that the timeless truths from this message will help you live more dependently on the Holy Spirit, who will empower you to manifest His loving fruit when you are controlled by Him, regardless of the trials you are facing.
Although we are physically separated at this time, we can stay in touch socially by utilizing the Zoom Meeting technology to pray and partake of Communion together over the Internet. We will be hosting our first Zoom Meeting prayer time tomorrow: Sunday, April 5 at 6:30pm. This will be a time of prayer only and we would like everyone to join us from home, whether you pray out loud or not. Julie will email a Zoom Manual from Don Lowe that describes how to set up Zoom on your computer, tablet or cell phone. It is a simple process and will only take a few minutes. Also, be looking today for the email that has this link to be able to join us.
Please be praying that the Lord will keep our church family unified and financially solvent at this difficult time. I am always available to talk to you about any needs you may have. My cell number is 208-755-9290. You are daily in my prayers! We will get through this together and in the end be closer to God and to each other, if we continue to choose to trust Him and let Him use us to love the people around us.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Julie and I continue to pray daily for the health and safety of you and your family. Our recovery from pneumonia has been like the proverbial 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. Whereas we have been better in certain respects, in others we have continued to struggle. Julie has had a low-grade fever for the last 10 days and I started having one since Wednesday. Therefore, yesterday Panhandle Health told us to go to their drive-thru lab and be tested for the Flu and Coronavirus. Also, to wear a mask if we need to go outside the home for an essential reason, so that we don’t infect anyone with whatever we have. The test results showed yesterday that neither of us have the Flu. But the COVID-19 results won’t come back until early next week. Although we don’t expect to test positive for the Coronavirus, it will be good to have confirmation of that. Our ongoing symptoms may just be an indication that our bodies are having a rough time recovering from our pneumonia. We are not worried because our trust is in the Lord who has our lives in His hands, but we want to wisely take all the precautions for our safety and the safety of others. Thank you so much for your continued prayers on our behalf!
It has now been 22 days since the elders temporarily suspended all church services and events at Fellowship Bible Church. This was a difficult decision but it was based on 3 biblical principles: 1) submission to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-3); heeding wise counsel both inside and outside the church (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6); and putting the interests (i.e. health and safety) of others before our own (Philippians 2:3-4). Although we all have many legitimate concerns during this unprecedented crisis in our nation and world, we as believers must not panic and allow worry, anxiety and fear to control us but we must choose to trust our loving heavenly Father, who is in sovereign control of each one of our lives in the midst of this pandemic. Our hope is in Christ and not in ourselves, for both now and for eternity, and He calls us to trust Him through all the difficulties and uncertainties of this time! Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
What’s on my heart this week to share with you is how the reality of our trust in Christ is lived out in our relationships with others, first and foremost with our families. The saying is true, “Trials don’t make us; they merely reveal us.” The difficult situations of life don’t make us what we are, but merely reveal what is already there. In other words, when life squeezes us, what is inside us comes out. Trials reveal whether we truly trust the Lord and are manifesting the fruit of a Spirit-controlled life, or whether we are not trusting Him and manifesting the deeds of the flesh instead. And this reality is seen most clearly in our relationships at home.
As the number of total cases of infected people and deaths from the Coronavirus continue to rise, the historic unemployment rate is having devastating effects on our economy and on peoples’ financial security, and with the “stay-at-home” order now in effect, it is not surprising that there are news reports of increased relational tensions, conflicts and even abuse (i.e. domestic violence) in homes by stressed out, frustrated and fearful people. But since we as believers have the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit always available to us, we have the God-given ability to respond differently as we daily depend on Him!
God calls us in His Word to continually, moment-by-moment “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). It is only as we are controlled by the Spirit that we will not manifest the love-violating, intimacy-destroying deeds of the flesh in our relationships (Galatians 5:19-21), but instead manifest the Spirit’s loving fruit in all our relationships (Galatians 5:22-23), especially at home.
During this crisis we have the unique opportunity to trust in Christ and reflect His love first to our spouse and children, and then to others. When we do, we not only represent Christ well at home, but also are bright lights to a fearful, hopeless world who desperately needs to see the reality and power of the living Christ in the lives of those who profess Him (John 13:34-35).
Here are some practical ways to make sure you are daily controlled by the Spirit:
1) Since God never commands you to do what He has not already given you the resources to obey by His grace, begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and control you. Reaffirm the Spirit’s filling throughout the day, so that your foremost desire in every situation is only to glorify God.
2) Surrender all your legitimate concerns and desires over to the Lord, so that they do not become illegitimate demands and expectations on others. For unmet demands and expectations will always lead to sinful, angry responses that violate love.
3) Spend time daily in the Word of God and in prayer. The more God’s Word dominates your heart and mind, the more the Author of the Word of God (i.e. the Spirit of God) can control your thoughts, words and deeds to reflect Christ to others.
4) When you fail, quickly confess your sin (1 John 1:9), claim your forgiveness by God in Christ, ask forgiveness from those you have hurt, and once again be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Maintaining Christ-like love and Christian unity in our families during this difficult time must be a priority for each one of us as believers. To help you to do this, Julie has featured on the home page of our website my message from Philippians 2:1-4, entitled A Call to Christian Unity. Since the biblical principles for maintaining unity “in the church” are the same for “in the home,” I pray that the timeless truths from this message will help you live more dependently on the Holy Spirit, who will empower you to manifest His loving fruit when you are controlled by Him, regardless of the trials you are facing.
Although we are physically separated at this time, we can stay in touch socially by utilizing the Zoom Meeting technology to pray and partake of Communion together over the Internet. We will be hosting our first Zoom Meeting prayer time tomorrow: Sunday, April 5 at 6:30pm. This will be a time of prayer only and we would like everyone to join us from home, whether you pray out loud or not. Julie will email a Zoom Manual from Don Lowe that describes how to set up Zoom on your computer, tablet or cell phone. It is a simple process and will only take a few minutes. Also, be looking today for the email that has this link to be able to join us.
Please be praying that the Lord will keep our church family unified and financially solvent at this difficult time. I am always available to talk to you about any needs you may have. My cell number is 208-755-9290. You are daily in my prayers! We will get through this together and in the end be closer to God and to each other, if we continue to choose to trust Him and let Him use us to love the people around us.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
Julie gave an update earlier this week on our health and we were encouraged to hear that neither of us tested positive for COVID-19 or the Flu. However, since we still have not been feeling well our doctor believes we have had a resurgence of our bacterial pneumonia. We both had a bad reaction to the first medication he prescribed, so we are now taking a different one. Hopefully, this will finally cause our bodies to kick this pneumonia completely. Thank you again for all your prayers on our behalf!
I’ve personally been thinking a lot about the great significance of this Passion Week. The events which took place so many years ago form the foundation on which we as believers place our hope. As I continue to keep up with the news about COVID-19 I’m constantly reminded of the fact that many people are full of fear and anxiety as their lives have been turned upside down by this virus. But we as believers have a hope that unbelievers don’t have! I will be talking about that on Sunday.
But first, today is Good Friday—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which culminates Holy Week. During this week 2000 years ago, the people who were praising Christ and shouting “Hosanna” at the beginning of the week were the same people shouting, “Crucify Him” at the end of the week (Luke 23:18, 21). And listening to the people, after having Jesus brutally beaten by the Roman soldiers, Pilate then “…delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26). At which time the soldiers led Him outside the city to “Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull” (Mark 15:22) to be crucified between two criminals (Luke 23:32-33).
At Golgotha, the soldiers then nailed Jesus to the cross and placed a sign above His head that read, “This is Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19). For six agonizing hours—from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Jesus hung on the cross in utter humiliation until He uttered His final words, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT” (Luke 23:46) and He died. Isn’t it amazing that as our Substitute, Jesus—God Himself in human flesh (John 1:1, 14), willingly took upon Himself the holy wrath of God against sin and paid in full the penalty of sin that we deserved. He took our hell that we might have His heaven!
In fulfillment of the Scriptures, the soldiers didn’t break Jesus’ legs as they did the other two men because Jesus was already dead (John 19: 33, 36; Psalm 34:20). But just to confirm this, they thrust a spear into His side (John 19:31-34). Afterwards, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who were members of the Sanhedrin and secret believers in Jesus, came forward publicly to take Jesus’ body and give Him a proper burial. They wrapped Him in a clean linen cloth with spices, and laid Him in Joseph’s own tomb (John 19:39-42), which was then sealed and guarded by a group of Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66). From a human perspective all seemed lost. But the story doesn’t end there!
Three days later, early Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said. The historical fact of the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and crowing proof of the Christian faith. Christ’s resurrection is also the basis of true hope, which everyone needs today as we all continue to struggle in varying degrees with the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. I share these things with you today to prepare you for our first video Resurrection Service this Sunday, April 12, at 10:15am on our FBC Facebook page. (facebook.com/FellowshipBiblePostFalls/) I have entitled my sermon “True Hope in Crisis.”
Following our service we will be gathering as a church family for Communion at 11:00am on Zoom. Please have a piece of bread or cracker and juice next to you as we remember the Lord’s death and resurrection together.
Julie will email you a Zoom Manual from Don Lowe that describes how to set up Zoom on your computer, tablet or cell phone. It is a simple process and will only take a few minutes. Be looking for the email that has all the Zoom meeting details to be able to join us.
I am looking forward to being with you online this Resurrection Sunday!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Julie gave an update earlier this week on our health and we were encouraged to hear that neither of us tested positive for COVID-19 or the Flu. However, since we still have not been feeling well our doctor believes we have had a resurgence of our bacterial pneumonia. We both had a bad reaction to the first medication he prescribed, so we are now taking a different one. Hopefully, this will finally cause our bodies to kick this pneumonia completely. Thank you again for all your prayers on our behalf!
I’ve personally been thinking a lot about the great significance of this Passion Week. The events which took place so many years ago form the foundation on which we as believers place our hope. As I continue to keep up with the news about COVID-19 I’m constantly reminded of the fact that many people are full of fear and anxiety as their lives have been turned upside down by this virus. But we as believers have a hope that unbelievers don’t have! I will be talking about that on Sunday.
But first, today is Good Friday—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which culminates Holy Week. During this week 2000 years ago, the people who were praising Christ and shouting “Hosanna” at the beginning of the week were the same people shouting, “Crucify Him” at the end of the week (Luke 23:18, 21). And listening to the people, after having Jesus brutally beaten by the Roman soldiers, Pilate then “…delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26). At which time the soldiers led Him outside the city to “Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull” (Mark 15:22) to be crucified between two criminals (Luke 23:32-33).
At Golgotha, the soldiers then nailed Jesus to the cross and placed a sign above His head that read, “This is Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19). For six agonizing hours—from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Jesus hung on the cross in utter humiliation until He uttered His final words, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT” (Luke 23:46) and He died. Isn’t it amazing that as our Substitute, Jesus—God Himself in human flesh (John 1:1, 14), willingly took upon Himself the holy wrath of God against sin and paid in full the penalty of sin that we deserved. He took our hell that we might have His heaven!
In fulfillment of the Scriptures, the soldiers didn’t break Jesus’ legs as they did the other two men because Jesus was already dead (John 19: 33, 36; Psalm 34:20). But just to confirm this, they thrust a spear into His side (John 19:31-34). Afterwards, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who were members of the Sanhedrin and secret believers in Jesus, came forward publicly to take Jesus’ body and give Him a proper burial. They wrapped Him in a clean linen cloth with spices, and laid Him in Joseph’s own tomb (John 19:39-42), which was then sealed and guarded by a group of Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66). From a human perspective all seemed lost. But the story doesn’t end there!
Three days later, early Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said. The historical fact of the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and crowing proof of the Christian faith. Christ’s resurrection is also the basis of true hope, which everyone needs today as we all continue to struggle in varying degrees with the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. I share these things with you today to prepare you for our first video Resurrection Service this Sunday, April 12, at 10:15am on our FBC Facebook page. (facebook.com/FellowshipBiblePostFalls/) I have entitled my sermon “True Hope in Crisis.”
Following our service we will be gathering as a church family for Communion at 11:00am on Zoom. Please have a piece of bread or cracker and juice next to you as we remember the Lord’s death and resurrection together.
Julie will email you a Zoom Manual from Don Lowe that describes how to set up Zoom on your computer, tablet or cell phone. It is a simple process and will only take a few minutes. Be looking for the email that has all the Zoom meeting details to be able to join us.
I am looking forward to being with you online this Resurrection Sunday!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
I love you, miss you and look forward to the day when we can meet together again. A quick update on the health of Julie and me is that we will be done with our 3rd round of antibiotics for our pneumonia in a couple of days. Although we are definitely breathing better with fewer bouts of coughing, we continue to have low-grade fevers and feel pretty crummy and fatigued. If we still have these symptoms on Monday, I will contact our doctor and Panhandle Health Department to see if there are any further steps we need to take. We want to thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.
In each of my previous emails on the Coronavirus pandemic I have talked about the crucial importance of trusting Christ during this difficult time, so that we might use this opportunity to become more like Christ and be a shining light to those without the true hope we have in Jesus. What is on my heart this week is wondering how well each one of us is actually doing in our trust of Him.
First, I want to share with you something that Martin Luther wrote to a friend in 1527 when a deadly plague struck his town of Wittenberg. He trusted Christ well in the midst of the crisis. He entitled his letter “Whether One Should Flee from a Deadly Plague” explaining how Christians might respond to complicated circumstances which cause conflicting reactions. These words were written 493 years ago yet because of the COVID-19 crisis swirling around us, they easily could have been written today. The childlike trust God requires of you and of me hasn’t changed… and never will, regardless of the specific circumstances we face. Here is what Luther wrote:
I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.
(Martin Luther, Works v. 43, p. 132.)
Second, I want to remind us that it is very easy to talk about how good and loving, sovereign and powerful God is when things are going well in our lives. But when the harsh realities of living in a fallen, sinful world impact our lives, how do we respond? Nothing is more taken for granted than a faith that is unchallenged… and nothing challenges our faith more than trials.
Our nation and world right now are experiencing the unprecedented crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic. The trial of this invisible enemy has affected everyone in various ways; some far more than others, but no one is exempt. We do well to remember that the COVID-19 crisis, like any other trial, never makes us what we are, but merely reveals what is already there. In other words, when the pressures of life squeeze us, what is already inside of us comes out.
Therefore, regardless of what we might say we believe, the true quality and strength of our faith in Jesus Christ is revealed by how we respond. This is what I want each of us to evaluate as we look into the Word of God this Sunday, April 19, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. I have entitled my message Truly Trusting Christ in Crisis and I hope that you will join me as we look into God’s Word together!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
I love you, miss you and look forward to the day when we can meet together again. A quick update on the health of Julie and me is that we will be done with our 3rd round of antibiotics for our pneumonia in a couple of days. Although we are definitely breathing better with fewer bouts of coughing, we continue to have low-grade fevers and feel pretty crummy and fatigued. If we still have these symptoms on Monday, I will contact our doctor and Panhandle Health Department to see if there are any further steps we need to take. We want to thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.
In each of my previous emails on the Coronavirus pandemic I have talked about the crucial importance of trusting Christ during this difficult time, so that we might use this opportunity to become more like Christ and be a shining light to those without the true hope we have in Jesus. What is on my heart this week is wondering how well each one of us is actually doing in our trust of Him.
First, I want to share with you something that Martin Luther wrote to a friend in 1527 when a deadly plague struck his town of Wittenberg. He trusted Christ well in the midst of the crisis. He entitled his letter “Whether One Should Flee from a Deadly Plague” explaining how Christians might respond to complicated circumstances which cause conflicting reactions. These words were written 493 years ago yet because of the COVID-19 crisis swirling around us, they easily could have been written today. The childlike trust God requires of you and of me hasn’t changed… and never will, regardless of the specific circumstances we face. Here is what Luther wrote:
I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.
(Martin Luther, Works v. 43, p. 132.)
Second, I want to remind us that it is very easy to talk about how good and loving, sovereign and powerful God is when things are going well in our lives. But when the harsh realities of living in a fallen, sinful world impact our lives, how do we respond? Nothing is more taken for granted than a faith that is unchallenged… and nothing challenges our faith more than trials.
Our nation and world right now are experiencing the unprecedented crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic. The trial of this invisible enemy has affected everyone in various ways; some far more than others, but no one is exempt. We do well to remember that the COVID-19 crisis, like any other trial, never makes us what we are, but merely reveals what is already there. In other words, when the pressures of life squeeze us, what is already inside of us comes out.
Therefore, regardless of what we might say we believe, the true quality and strength of our faith in Jesus Christ is revealed by how we respond. This is what I want each of us to evaluate as we look into the Word of God this Sunday, April 19, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. I have entitled my message Truly Trusting Christ in Crisis and I hope that you will join me as we look into God’s Word together!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
During this busy week what has been on my heart has been how during difficult times like this we often see the best and worst of mankind displayed. In regards to need and generosity, human pride often manifests its self-centeredness in two extremes: 1) by focusing solely on one’s own needs with no concern and generosity toward the needs of others, or 2) by refusing to accept the generosity of another, who simply wants to bless the one in need. No wonder “haughty eyes” or pride leads the list of seven things that the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16). Repeatedly, the Bible says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Psalm 138:6; Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 23:12).
Isn’t it wonderful that we as believers have a loving heavenly Father that we can truly trust to look out for our welfare, according to His infinite goodness and wisdom! He has promised to always be with us, care for us, and provide for our needs. Paul said in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” But although God is the source of every blessing (James 1:17), He often uses others as the means by which He meets our needs. This is what the “one another” passages in the New Testament are all about. Just a few of the many things that we as believers are to be doing for one another are to: love, care, pray, serve; regard as more important, encourage and bear one another’s burdens.
Julie and I have experienced these things over the last several weeks from many of you. As this Coronavirus pandemic in our nation was unfolding we both were very sick with pneumonia. Only after 3 rounds of antibiotics was it knocked out, although the fatigue still lingers. In addition to your prayers on our behalf for healing, we received from many of you various cards, calls, texts and meals for which we are very grateful. Even when some Christian friends in Sandpoint found out that we were sick and had to be out of our rental house at the end of this month, they got together and hired and paid for a moving company to move all our stuff into storage in the shop of another one of our Christian friends.
Therefore, this past week has been very busy as Julie guided me while I boxed up everything in our rental house, so that it would be ready for the movers. We are still living in the house with a couple chairs and a mattress on the floor, as next week we will be busy doing house cleaning and lawn work, in accordance with the homeowner’s long list of requirements. Then toward the end of next week we will move into another Christian friend’s motor home, where we will be staying for a couple months before finally moving into our house. Through all of this God has faithfully provided for all our needs, but He has done this through His loving people. What a beautiful example of the “one another’s” of Christ’s church in operation. But He does it only through those who are willing to be generous to those in need and to those in need being willing to receive the generosity of others.
I share these answers to prayers as an encouragement to those of you who are facing very scary and challenging circumstances right now. God is actively working His will through the circumstances and will meet your needs as you trust Him. Our prayers continue for you all as we face these days together.
This week the elders of FBC will be discussing a plan as to when and how to reopen the church for services and events. We will let you know when this plan has been completed.
Also, since I was busy packing all week, Marvin Ahlstrand will be giving us a special online message from God’s Word this Sunday, April 26, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. Hope you all can listen in! I love you, miss you and look forward to the day when we can meet together again.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
During this busy week what has been on my heart has been how during difficult times like this we often see the best and worst of mankind displayed. In regards to need and generosity, human pride often manifests its self-centeredness in two extremes: 1) by focusing solely on one’s own needs with no concern and generosity toward the needs of others, or 2) by refusing to accept the generosity of another, who simply wants to bless the one in need. No wonder “haughty eyes” or pride leads the list of seven things that the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16). Repeatedly, the Bible says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Psalm 138:6; Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 23:12).
Isn’t it wonderful that we as believers have a loving heavenly Father that we can truly trust to look out for our welfare, according to His infinite goodness and wisdom! He has promised to always be with us, care for us, and provide for our needs. Paul said in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” But although God is the source of every blessing (James 1:17), He often uses others as the means by which He meets our needs. This is what the “one another” passages in the New Testament are all about. Just a few of the many things that we as believers are to be doing for one another are to: love, care, pray, serve; regard as more important, encourage and bear one another’s burdens.
Julie and I have experienced these things over the last several weeks from many of you. As this Coronavirus pandemic in our nation was unfolding we both were very sick with pneumonia. Only after 3 rounds of antibiotics was it knocked out, although the fatigue still lingers. In addition to your prayers on our behalf for healing, we received from many of you various cards, calls, texts and meals for which we are very grateful. Even when some Christian friends in Sandpoint found out that we were sick and had to be out of our rental house at the end of this month, they got together and hired and paid for a moving company to move all our stuff into storage in the shop of another one of our Christian friends.
Therefore, this past week has been very busy as Julie guided me while I boxed up everything in our rental house, so that it would be ready for the movers. We are still living in the house with a couple chairs and a mattress on the floor, as next week we will be busy doing house cleaning and lawn work, in accordance with the homeowner’s long list of requirements. Then toward the end of next week we will move into another Christian friend’s motor home, where we will be staying for a couple months before finally moving into our house. Through all of this God has faithfully provided for all our needs, but He has done this through His loving people. What a beautiful example of the “one another’s” of Christ’s church in operation. But He does it only through those who are willing to be generous to those in need and to those in need being willing to receive the generosity of others.
I share these answers to prayers as an encouragement to those of you who are facing very scary and challenging circumstances right now. God is actively working His will through the circumstances and will meet your needs as you trust Him. Our prayers continue for you all as we face these days together.
This week the elders of FBC will be discussing a plan as to when and how to reopen the church for services and events. We will let you know when this plan has been completed.
Also, since I was busy packing all week, Marvin Ahlstrand will be giving us a special online message from God’s Word this Sunday, April 26, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. Hope you all can listen in! I love you, miss you and look forward to the day when we can meet together again.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
Julie and I continue to pray that you are healthy and safe and growing spiritually during this difficult time. As of last night, we are finally out of our rental house and presently living in a motor home for a couple of months. It was another long week of cleaning and moving, but I want to especially thank Heather, Jimmy and Sandi for their tremendous help in cleaning.
As you most likely know, our Governor Brad Little has announced various stages to Re-open Idaho. In Stage 1 we are told: “Places of worship can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing, sanitation protocols, and any CDC guidelines.”
This past week the elders had a Zoom meeting and discussed what we needed to do to re-open our church for services and events. We have not yet determined a date when we will be ready, but we wanted to let you know what we are thinking.
We want everyone who desires to come to our Worship Service to attend. However, since your safety and the safety of others is our number one concern, we recommend that those individuals in the high risk group not comfortable with attending and those who are sick, stay at home and watch the service online.
For those who desire to attend, we have put in place the following protocols for your protection:
• We will hire a professional cleaning crew to deep clean the auditorium before our first service. We will weekly disinfect per CDC guidelines.
• We ask that everyone take their temperature at home before coming to church. Those not feeling well or who have a fever should stay home and watch the service online.
• We will have hand sanitizer in the church for people to use.
• We encourage the six-foot distancing in all social interactions. The seating in the auditorium will also provide for six-foot physical distancing between families, which will limit our seating.
• Since there will be no access to the back of the church, there will be no childcare or Fellowship Café at this time.
• All brochures, pens, prayer cards, and bulletins will be removed. Those who wish to take notes during the sermon must bring their own pen and paper or take notes on their phones.
• Only the two bathrooms in the foyer will be open; all others will be closed.
We are aware that while some churches are re-opening this weekend, others are doing so at other times throughout May and June. However, we want to have all of the safety protocols in place before we do begin meeting together and we also want to have an idea when you personally think you will be ready to return. Therefore, one of the elders will be calling soon to find out what each of you are thinking in this regard.
Since I had to finish my move this past week, I appreciate so much Alan White filling in for me by giving us a special online message from God’s Word this Sunday, May 3, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. Hope you all can listen in!
You are continually in my prayers and I look forward to seeing you again soon!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Julie and I continue to pray that you are healthy and safe and growing spiritually during this difficult time. As of last night, we are finally out of our rental house and presently living in a motor home for a couple of months. It was another long week of cleaning and moving, but I want to especially thank Heather, Jimmy and Sandi for their tremendous help in cleaning.
As you most likely know, our Governor Brad Little has announced various stages to Re-open Idaho. In Stage 1 we are told: “Places of worship can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing, sanitation protocols, and any CDC guidelines.”
This past week the elders had a Zoom meeting and discussed what we needed to do to re-open our church for services and events. We have not yet determined a date when we will be ready, but we wanted to let you know what we are thinking.
We want everyone who desires to come to our Worship Service to attend. However, since your safety and the safety of others is our number one concern, we recommend that those individuals in the high risk group not comfortable with attending and those who are sick, stay at home and watch the service online.
For those who desire to attend, we have put in place the following protocols for your protection:
• We will hire a professional cleaning crew to deep clean the auditorium before our first service. We will weekly disinfect per CDC guidelines.
• We ask that everyone take their temperature at home before coming to church. Those not feeling well or who have a fever should stay home and watch the service online.
• We will have hand sanitizer in the church for people to use.
• We encourage the six-foot distancing in all social interactions. The seating in the auditorium will also provide for six-foot physical distancing between families, which will limit our seating.
• Since there will be no access to the back of the church, there will be no childcare or Fellowship Café at this time.
• All brochures, pens, prayer cards, and bulletins will be removed. Those who wish to take notes during the sermon must bring their own pen and paper or take notes on their phones.
• Only the two bathrooms in the foyer will be open; all others will be closed.
We are aware that while some churches are re-opening this weekend, others are doing so at other times throughout May and June. However, we want to have all of the safety protocols in place before we do begin meeting together and we also want to have an idea when you personally think you will be ready to return. Therefore, one of the elders will be calling soon to find out what each of you are thinking in this regard.
Since I had to finish my move this past week, I appreciate so much Alan White filling in for me by giving us a special online message from God’s Word this Sunday, May 3, at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page. Hope you all can listen in!
You are continually in my prayers and I look forward to seeing you again soon!
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
I pray for you daily and look forward to seeing you again soon! This has been a busy week for a couple of reasons. First, the elders have decided to reopen the church for Sunday School at 9:00am and the Worship Service at 10:15 am next Sunday, May 17. This will be done according to the safety protocols that I sent out in my email last week. Those who are sick or are not comfortable with attending at this time are encouraged to stay home and watch the live stream on the church Facebook page. I will talk more about this next week.
Second, I’m sad to inform you that the Lowe family believes the Lord is moving them on and they will be leaving the church at the end of June. The elders are so appreciative to Don, Sharon and Ashley for all the ways in which they have faithfully used their spiritual gifts to greatly help our church body over the last 9 years. We wish them God’s best and will miss them very much!
Since the Lowes have been deeply involved in ministry, they are graciously staying to the end of June in order to help train and transition those who are interested in taking over one of their ministry responsibilities. These responsibilities include:
Worship Team: Song selection
Worship practice preparation
Financial Accounting
Church Office Administration and various Church Communications: Answering phone and church emails
Church bulletins, newsletters, brochures and directory
Ordering church supplies
Children’s Ministry: Scheduling of teachers
Teach once a month
In order for this transition to go smoothly and the church to be able to continue to move forward in these areas, it is crucial that those who have the spiritual gift, ability and passion for one of these available ministry opportunities be willing to commit to be trained and serve for a pre-determined period of time. Since time is of the essence, please let me know personally ASAP if you are interested.
Since Julie and I were moving the last two weeks of April, I want to especially thank Marvin Ahlstrand and Alan White for stepping in for me and giving us online messages from the Word of God. I am glad to be back with you this Sunday, May 10 at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page with a special online message from Hebrews 12:1-3. Since you and I are running our own unique race that God has “set before us,” it is vital that we understand exactly what this race entails. I have entitled my message “The Christian’s Race of Endurance.” I hope that you will join me as we look at what God says to us in this passage.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
I pray for you daily and look forward to seeing you again soon! This has been a busy week for a couple of reasons. First, the elders have decided to reopen the church for Sunday School at 9:00am and the Worship Service at 10:15 am next Sunday, May 17. This will be done according to the safety protocols that I sent out in my email last week. Those who are sick or are not comfortable with attending at this time are encouraged to stay home and watch the live stream on the church Facebook page. I will talk more about this next week.
Second, I’m sad to inform you that the Lowe family believes the Lord is moving them on and they will be leaving the church at the end of June. The elders are so appreciative to Don, Sharon and Ashley for all the ways in which they have faithfully used their spiritual gifts to greatly help our church body over the last 9 years. We wish them God’s best and will miss them very much!
Since the Lowes have been deeply involved in ministry, they are graciously staying to the end of June in order to help train and transition those who are interested in taking over one of their ministry responsibilities. These responsibilities include:
Worship Team: Song selection
Worship practice preparation
Financial Accounting
Church Office Administration and various Church Communications: Answering phone and church emails
Church bulletins, newsletters, brochures and directory
Ordering church supplies
Children’s Ministry: Scheduling of teachers
Teach once a month
In order for this transition to go smoothly and the church to be able to continue to move forward in these areas, it is crucial that those who have the spiritual gift, ability and passion for one of these available ministry opportunities be willing to commit to be trained and serve for a pre-determined period of time. Since time is of the essence, please let me know personally ASAP if you are interested.
Since Julie and I were moving the last two weeks of April, I want to especially thank Marvin Ahlstrand and Alan White for stepping in for me and giving us online messages from the Word of God. I am glad to be back with you this Sunday, May 10 at 10:15 am on our FBC Facebook page with a special online message from Hebrews 12:1-3. Since you and I are running our own unique race that God has “set before us,” it is vital that we understand exactly what this race entails. I have entitled my message “The Christian’s Race of Endurance.” I hope that you will join me as we look at what God says to us in this passage.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
Hi everyone!
I’m excited to remind you that Fellowship Bible Church will be reopening this Sunday, May 17. Alan White will teach his Sunday School Class in the auditorium at 9:00 am for those who attend and it will also be on Zoom for those who cannot. And the Worship Service will begin at 10:15 am for all those who attend and the entire service will be aired on Facebook Live Stream for those who cannot.
Since your safety and the safety of others is our number one concern, we are asking that you not come to church if you are not comfortable with attending or if you are sick. We then would encourage you to stay home and watch the online live stream service on the FBC Facebook page.
For those who will be attending, we encourage the six-foot distancing guidelines in all your interactions with others, so that everyone can feel safe and comfortable. We have also provided the following safety precautions:
• We have hired a professional cleaner who has disinfected and prepared the auditorium, front bathrooms and offices for use. This will continue to be done each week.
• We have provided hand sanitizer in the church for people to use.
• The only two bathrooms that will be open will be in the foyer. There has been one designated for women and one for men.
• The seating arrangement in the auditorium is designed for six-foot physical distancing between families. Chairs will be added depending on the size of each family.
• We have removed all brochures, pens, prayer cards, and bulletins. If you wish to take notes during the message please bring your own pen and paper or take notes on your phone.
• Since there will be no access to the back of the church, there will be no childcare or Fellowship Café until further notice.
These guidelines will be regularly reviewed and updated as things around us change. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 208-755-9290.
I am so looking forward to seeing you and worshiping the Lord together again! Although a few months ago we began a process of church revitalization, this has been put on hold due to the Coronavirus situation. Therefore, before we begin our new study of the book of 1 John, I want to take the next couple of weeks to get us back on track. Having already discussed the unique Christian race of endurance that God has set before each one of us in Hebrews 12:1-3, this Sunday we will be looking at the importance of our commitment in that race. I will be speaking on Romans 12:1-2 and have entitled my message Total Commitment to Christ. I hope that you will join me personally at church or online together as we look at what God says to us in one of the best-known passages in the New Testament.
In Christ’s love,
Mark
I’m excited to remind you that Fellowship Bible Church will be reopening this Sunday, May 17. Alan White will teach his Sunday School Class in the auditorium at 9:00 am for those who attend and it will also be on Zoom for those who cannot. And the Worship Service will begin at 10:15 am for all those who attend and the entire service will be aired on Facebook Live Stream for those who cannot.
Since your safety and the safety of others is our number one concern, we are asking that you not come to church if you are not comfortable with attending or if you are sick. We then would encourage you to stay home and watch the online live stream service on the FBC Facebook page.
For those who will be attending, we encourage the six-foot distancing guidelines in all your interactions with others, so that everyone can feel safe and comfortable. We have also provided the following safety precautions:
• We have hired a professional cleaner who has disinfected and prepared the auditorium, front bathrooms and offices for use. This will continue to be done each week.
• We have provided hand sanitizer in the church for people to use.
• The only two bathrooms that will be open will be in the foyer. There has been one designated for women and one for men.
• The seating arrangement in the auditorium is designed for six-foot physical distancing between families. Chairs will be added depending on the size of each family.
• We have removed all brochures, pens, prayer cards, and bulletins. If you wish to take notes during the message please bring your own pen and paper or take notes on your phone.
• Since there will be no access to the back of the church, there will be no childcare or Fellowship Café until further notice.
These guidelines will be regularly reviewed and updated as things around us change. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 208-755-9290.
I am so looking forward to seeing you and worshiping the Lord together again! Although a few months ago we began a process of church revitalization, this has been put on hold due to the Coronavirus situation. Therefore, before we begin our new study of the book of 1 John, I want to take the next couple of weeks to get us back on track. Having already discussed the unique Christian race of endurance that God has set before each one of us in Hebrews 12:1-3, this Sunday we will be looking at the importance of our commitment in that race. I will be speaking on Romans 12:1-2 and have entitled my message Total Commitment to Christ. I hope that you will join me personally at church or online together as we look at what God says to us in one of the best-known passages in the New Testament.
In Christ’s love,
Mark