Thursday, May 14, 2020

Dear Trinity Baptist Church Family, Our thoughts and emotions continue to be swung by things we hear and experience in the world around us in ways we are not accustomed. We know truth and eternal things have not changed. We know God is in control. And yet our schedules and our abilities to do certain things continue to be changed by forces in this temporal world.

As you know, yesterday afternoon the Wisconsin Supreme Court eliminated Safer at Home restrictions. Because they declared the rules were unfounded, nothing is in their place. At this time, it is hard to know what the Legislature and Governor might agree to put in place. It is also unknown how the Fond du Lac Health official might respond. In Green Bay the county health department reinstated Safer at Home restrictions. We might have new rules before this coming Sunday! Who knows!?

So are we going to have church this Sunday? For starters, we have been having church – twice a week. And yes, if allowed we are going to come together to worship this Sunday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. This week we will not have Sunday School or an evening service. Partly, I want to give Sunday School teachers a week’s warning. This Sunday we will not have Junior Church or a Nursery. Families ought to stay together and sit together.

We need to be sensitive and helpful to each other at this time. Ask before you shake hands. Refrain from touching children not in your family. Give space to others in choosing seating. (Some of you might have to sit closer to the front!)

If you are or a family member are sick, please stay home. If you are concerned for the safety of your family, stay home. If you are worried about the behavior of others, consider staying home. Those at home will still be able to listen and watch our service through our Facebook live. This is a time for grace. We need to respect each other as children of God. We need to take care of ourselves and honor the right of others to make their own choices.

Sunday evening our Ministry Committee is going to meet. We are going to consider what if any policies need to be put in place as we go forward. At this time I am thinking we will resume our summer Wednesday Bible study schedule next week complete with teen, nursery, and children’s class. I am also thinking we will return to our “normal” Sunday schedule on May 24th. Again, all of this could be changed by government restrictions put in place at any time!

Pray for one another. As Pastor Shaeffer said at the beginning of this, “Be patient and flexible.”

Embracing Truth, Pastor