Category: Church Updates

A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS

To help you make the important decision as to when you may worship with us in person, we continue to let you know about the attendance on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday there were 80 at 9 a.m. and 110 at 10:45 a.m. The increase was due, in part, to the presence of Allegiance. We continue to see new faces in the worship services on campus. If you are still tuning in online, thank you for your continued faithfulness. You are missed!

We had several families to join us in Building B for live streaming at 10:45 a.m. You may feel more comfortable in a smaller room with less people. We continue to enjoy singing in the open air in the courtyard after the sermon. Some of our dear friends are wearing masks or face coverings, while others are not. Thank you for respecting the distance and safety of others.

As you know, a few Sunday School classes have started meeting on campus. Below you will find information about when and where they meet.

Something new will be coming your way in the coming weeks. Covid-19 and the shutdown have changed that way our nation temporarily does things. We have had to make some temporary changes here at Amelia Baptist as well. We are a congregationalist system of government. We value your wisdom and input. Yet, out of necessity, we have not been able to meet to make important decisions. We, elders, have been meeting each week via zoom to seek God and discuss, “What’s next?” We desire to understand what will glorify Christ and benefit his people here at Amelia Baptist. So, throughout these last several months we have sought God’s leadership and made decisions that, under normal circumstances, we would have brought before the congregation for discussion and approval. We know that some of our most faithful members are also some of our most vulnerable members. Until we can meet to vote on important decisions, we will be asking you, in a survey, to tentatively confirm some of the decisions we needed to make during these strange times. Your voice is important to us and we look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings,

Pastor Neil

A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS:

Well, this coming Sunday will be our third week worshiping together both online and in person. We had about 60 people present at 9 a.m. last Sunday and about 100 at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. Interestingly, the more that are present in person, the less who are streaming during the service itself. So, it is a blessing to know that you are still engaged in Sunday morning worship, whether on campus or in your homes. Thank you all for your continued faithfulness.

As we have mentioned previously, we continue to meticulously clean and sanitize the areas of our buildings we are using. It was a joy to see friends spending time with each other outside before and after the services.

Thank you for helping us maximize our imperfect seating plan in the auditorium. We are asking you to keep three chairs between family units; however, if you socialize with others in different venues or in your homes, feel free to invite them to sit with you.

Since more people are coming to worship, we have several rooms in Building B open for those who wish to worship in a smaller venue. SINCE EACH OF YOU HAS YOUR OWN INNER SENSE OF COMFORT AND CONVICTION ABOUT RETURNING, WE HAVE THREE ROOMS DOWNSTAIRS AND ONE ROOM UPSTAIRS THAT ARE OPEN FOR LIVE STREAMING. During the 10:45 a.m. service you are invited to the church campus to worship in the auditorium or in one of our rooms in Building B during the preaching part of our service, then you can come out into the courtyard to sing in the open air with your friends. Some of our dear friends are wearing masks or face coverings, while others are not. We need to respect the distance of others. Safely enjoy your fellowship with one another.

Thank you for keeping the aisles and doorways clear so that others feel safe as they walk to their seats. After the sermon, please exit the doors nearest you in an orderly manner to join us for singing together in the courtyard.

Thank you for your prayers during these strange times. I love you and I look forward to being with you again.

Blessings,

Pastor Neil

Pastor Adam gives us an update regarding church life in Phase 1. We invite you to attend our worship service on May 17th at 9am or 1045am. No childcare. Overflow rooms are avalable in Building B.

Survey Results: With 130 family units represented, the results were 75 people in the 1st service, 145 attending the 2nd service, 91 continuing to live stream from their home. 70% willing to worship in an overflow room. We hear your desire to be together again!

Please click the link “Survey 2020” and complete this survey at your earliest convenience! Link: Survey 2020

We miss meeting together for worship, fellowship, discipleship and ministry. It is our prayer that we, as Amelia Baptist Church, will remain spiritually and physically healthy in this time when we are challenged by COVID-19. We are thankful that you have been reaching out to one another in this unique time.

We are seeking your insights to help us to stay connected during these uncertain times and as we plan to resume worshiping together. While we have not established a date for resuming our in-person worship and ministry, we are preparing plans in accordance with the guidelines established by medical professionals.

After an encouraging meeting with the Elders of Amelia Baptist Church, we have decided to continue our online services for the next several weeks. We want to respect the recommendations of our government officials during this time of uncertainty. We’ve come up with innovative ways to minister to the body of believers, prepare discipleship, continue evangelism and comfort those we love. Our hearts ache for corporate worship with our faith family. However, we take great comfort knowing our God is sovereign and He holds the Church in His hands. We would like to ask our church for the following in the month of April:

1. To be knee deep in the Word of God and pray continually.
2. Utilize our online discipleship material:
   1. Pastoral blogs
   2. YouTube Channel (Wednesday Night Word & Friday Round Tables)
   3. ZOOM meetings for face to face fellowship.
   4. Join us for worship LIVE online on Amelia Baptist Church YouTube and Facebook, 10:30am Sundays.

To the glory of our gracious God,

Pastor Adam

Your church cares for you. We pray for you and want more of Christ for each soul in our faith family. Our aim is to serve you and yours tirelessly during this time of national crisis. In the interest of public safety, and as a display of love of neighbor, Amelia Baptist Church is making the following decisions and recommendations:

In response to our leadership meeting yesterday and in accordance to the recommendation of the CDC, and until further notice we will not be gathering together in person. We will be creative to provide worship and Bible study opportunities at regularly appointed times with live-streaming capability and other recording methods. Streaming will be available LIVE on Facebook and YouTube on the Amelia Baptist Church pages/channels at 10:30 am, Sunday mornings. The website and regular emails will keep families informed with included weblinks. If you would like to be added to our church email distribution list please email your information to office@ameliabaptist.org.

These dates, as of right now, include:
Sunday, March 22nd
Sunday, March 29th

All other ministry events are suspended through March 29th and we will reevaluate at that time as we have more information.
These ministries/events include:

Sunday School
Worship Choir
Community Choir
Allegiance Student Choir
Men’s/Ladies’ Ensembles
Counter Culture Student Ministry
Children’s Discipleship & Music Ministries (Sundays, Wednesdays)
SonBeams Monday Mornings
Play & Praise Monday Mornings
Ladies’ Bible Studies
Men’s Bible Studies
Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesday Night Prayer Group
Amelia’s Got Talent (postponed)
CBS, Classical Conversations and any other “pick up & go ministries” on our campus.

Our Sunday School Director Bob Weaver will send an email later today to offer suggestions for our Sunday School/Small Group leaders in efforts to continue biblical discipleship and connection through other outlets during this time of quarantine.

If you are in need or unable to leave your home, we have young families wanting to aide you and your family at this time. Please let us know what we can do for you at ameliabaptist.org/contact by filling out one of our contact forms and clicking SUBMIT. We want to make sure everyone is accounted for and cared for during this time of great uncertainty. Please expect to hear from our ministers of mercy in the near future.

Giving: Please visit ameliabaptist.org/giving for tithe and offering needs if you and your family have plans to stay in your home. You do not need a PushPay app to tithe online. All giving can be done through our church website. If you would still prefer tithing by envelope, the church will continue to have scheduled office hours in groups less than 10 until further notice.

As Christians, we are a people of faith, but it is a faith that is grounded in godly wisdom, not worldly fears. As a faith family, we are being given instructions and guidelines on personal hygiene, travel, and levels of susceptibility to the Coronavirus based on age and condition. We must demonstrate faith-filled caution and wisdom as we walk through this together, anxious to be together again on the other side.

These instructions include only the ministries taking place on church grounds and under the jurisdiction of church staff. You are responsible for the level of social distancing you and your family find comfortable and necessary. Your pastors will be here for you no matter what. Please pray for us as we will continue to pray for you. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Sincerely,

Pastor H. Neil Helton
Pastor Adam Page