Update - May 12, 2020
While we long for the time when we all can worship in person together, the health and safety of our members, visitors, and staff remains our top priority. First Baptist Church Plainfield will continue to worship on Sundays at 9:15 am via Facebook Live into the month of June. We anticipate worshiping in person beginning on June 21, subject to change. We hope you will join us this Sunday on Facebook.
Update - April 28, 2020
The Church Executive Board met this past Saturday to once again discuss the status of our church activities – worship services, Sunday School classes, activities for all ages and our Beginning Steps Pre-school. As in our previous calls, we discussed the state stay-at-home mandate, restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people and the importance of social distancing.
Though the State of Indiana stay-at-home mandate currently runs through May 1 and though state officials have discussed plans for a phase in of reopening the state, the Board anticipates that the state order will be extended. The Board voted to extend our own suspension of activities through May 15.
The health of all our members, visitors, staff and Beginning Steps families continues to be our primary concern. A sub-group of the Board will be meeting to discuss our plans for phasing in our activities, including worship services and Sunday School classes, once the COVID-19 situation improves. We have to assume that we will need to continue to take precautions once we are able to begin meeting within our church building.
We are thankful that Pastor David is once again able to conduct a service from the FMC on Sunday morning and, with the help of Aaron Castleman, deliver it over Facebook Live. We encourage everyone to participate in this service at 9:15 am each Sunday. Please continue to be in prayer that the pandemic will rapidly wane and that soon, we will once again worship together within our church building.
Update - March 31, 2020:
In February, we celebrated “I Love My Church” month; in March, our theme was “I Love My Community.” As we enter April, we hope that you will embrace another theme with us: “I Give My Life.” This month, much like the last, will look different than we have imagined, as our services will continue to be held via Facebook Live through Sunday, April 26. The building will remain closed through April 30, but staff will support the congregation through virtual communications.
Although our world may feel upside down, we will come together virtually on Easter Sunday, April 12, to celebrate and rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ. We hope you will invite your friends and family to join us as we encourage and uplift one another with the Good News of our Savior!
As disciples of Christ, we are often called to sacrifice and give for the benefit of others. In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells us, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Let us be deliberate in the coming days, as we give our lives to Christ while apart from the larger body, to read Scripture daily, to pray for others, and to allow ourselves time to listen for God’s spirit at work in us.
The Executive Board will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 and make changes accordingly. We look forward to being together again soon, and we pray for you daily.
Original Release - Saturday, March 14, 2020:
In an effort to keep our congregation and community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, First Baptist Church Plainfield is taking steps to protect persons from the dangers presented by this novel virus, as well as to lessen the impact of stress on the healthcare system.
At this time, all services and activities at First Baptist Church Plainfield are cancelled through Sunday, April 5, in accordance with national, state, and local health guidelines.
This includes Sunday services, which will now be held virtually via Facebook Live at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday. Tithes and offerings can be mailed to the church or given online at www.firstbaptistplainfield.org.
This decision comes from our desire to love one another as Christ has loved us; by choosing to pause our face-to-face ministries in this time, we acknowledge that compassion for one another is now an act of solidarity for public health – in being apart, we can be united in our love for Christ and one another. It is not out of fear, but love for one another, that we have made this decision.
As we face this unprecedented issue, please use this time for individual and family devotion and worship. Continue to pray for our community, our church, and those who have been impacted by the pandemic.
More information and resources will be released in the coming days and weeks. For emergencies, you may contact the pastoral staff via email or cell phone.
