IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 3/18/2020 (updated again 4/3/2020)
Hello church!
We promised to continue to communicate exactly what our plans are as a church concerning the COVID-19 situation as we continue to re-evaluate daily. On Monday, our President and other officials announced new recommendations and precautions for the public. Our Governor also re-iterated the recommendations. Following that, the President of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (Dr. David Johnson) emailed all SBC churches in Arizona and urged them to strongly consider what was presented and move to online meetings.
As a Southern Baptist Church, we are COMPLETELY autonomous. So we decided to take all the information given and held an emergency ministry council meeting tonight to decide, as leadership, how we will move forward. At that ministry council meeting we discussed multiple options. After everyone gave their opinions as to how they felt would be wisest to continue, the majority in ministry council decided that due to multiple factors (including the average age of our congregation, etc.) that we will meet online for the next two weeks. After March 29th, the ministry council will reconvene and reassess the situation as it pertains to our church.
We understand that this topic is one that many people are passionate about and we pray that you will understand the decision made by the council. It was not one that was taken lightly! We do not base these decisions on fear. For we know that we serve a great big God. However, we do want to be wise and loving towards our community. That means we will try to suppress the danger it brings to many people over 60 and stop the immediate spreading of the virus.
So how can you worship with us on Sunday? Join us here on our website at: www.sfb.church/online to worship with us. You can simply click that link on Sunday and worship at home.
Noreen will be available in the office Mon-Fri from 7am-8am to hand out any CDs of the worship service for anyone who is unable to join us on the internet and also be able to take any prayer requests and tithes that you may need to drop off. If that time does not work for you, please call Pastor Tim at 480-593-6531 and he will arrange a time to meet with you.
Your deacons will be in contact with you very soon to check on you and also make sure everyone knows the plan for all upcoming worship gatherings. Please do NOT hesitate to reach out to your deacons or Pastor Tim. We are here to serve you!
Thanks again for understanding. Hopefully we will see you online! Please continue to pray for our church, our country, and the world during this time.
I love you all!
Tim Jennings
Pastor
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