March 13, 2020
Dear Community Baptist Church Family and Friend(s):
This is an important health statement to help you and the church family.
What do the State of Michigan, Kroger, Chick-Fil-A, Hotel.com, AAA Travel, AMAC, Cracker Barrel Inc. all have in common? They all have sent to me emails stating the ideal business policy on safety regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
The Community Baptist Church of Lansing desires your safety and your spiritual well being in the Lord. This “bad sickness” as one of my grandchildren labeled it in his prayers, is sweeping across our homeland and it is our desire to see you healthy. The church posted the health policy weeks ago, as we have done in years past, during the cold and the flu season. The same policy is in effect today and is listed below. In a sentence, using “common sense” like the discipline of handwashing with soap and staying home if you are sick are good practices. However, with this Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacting senior citizens our ministry is advising extra caution! The church will not run the bus to pick up children, so no bus ministry until the public schools are open for business again after April 5. You are welcome to observe the church services online through Facebook Live Stream if you desire, I know when my wife was suffering with Cancer three years ago she found the recorded/broadcasted services a real boost to her spiritual health as she watched every service when she could not physically attend (if you need help with setting up Live Stream please let us help). As your pastor I will be teaching/preaching or have Associate Pastor Joe, we will have special music, prayer, congregational singing and opportunity for offerings to be given to the Lord through the church. We are convinced that God can use this time to grow His people. The church will continue to host four staffed, live church services as follows unless changes are necessary for health reasons:
Sundays– 9:45 AM Adult Classes and Sunday School (Pastor Joe will be teaching the children in one room from 3 years old and up) 11 AM Morning Worship/Services with one children’s church (Pastor Joe will be teaching the children in one room from 3 years old and up). 6PM Evening Service
Wednesdays-7 PM Prayer/Bible Study Service
The health professions have laid out plans that can help keep Michiganders healthy and the church will follow those guidelines. The church offices will be open for business and you can make appointments through the phone, email, or text. While the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a rapidly changing and fluid situation from a public health perspective, we are committed to keeping you informed and to taking care of you as an important person in the family of God.
Health policy for church services:
The safe practice we take for the flu virus is in place for services at Community Baptist Church: We encourage you to stay at home and get well if you have flu symptoms like fever, coughing, sneezing (church services are live-streamed so watch from home until you are well) and advise others to do the same. Please contact your medical provider/physician if your symptoms graduate/become worse for treatment.
For all worship services, we will encourage 1. No handshakes and avoid close contact. 2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 3. Hand washing 20 seconds with soap. 4. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 5. Coughing or sneezing should be covered with a tissue or sleeve. If you have any prayer requests, please inform the church through the phone/text or email.
Because We Care,
Pastor Jackson & Assoc. Pastor Joe Jackson