April 24 Update

Scott Jones
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April 24 Update

April 24, 2020 Update from Pastor Scott

Currently there is much talk about reopening our society. There is a great variety of opinions about how and when to accomplish this.

I and the staff of FBC Rockport will work with appropriate church leaders to make decisions about how and when to “reopen” the church. Remember that the church is not closed, but the way we live out being the church has changed during the quarantine. So, we are talking about when to reopen the church building to have groups meeting together for worship, Bible Study, fellowship, etc.

These decisions will be made after much prayer, in a dialogue with church leaders, and based on four sources of guidance:

1. Guidance from the White House. The President of the United States has given a broad, three-phase plan for reopening our country. It can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/.

2. Guidance from the Governor of the State of Texas. Governor Abbot and the Texas Attorney General updated their guidelines for places of worship this week. It can be found at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/…/Revised%20Guidance%2…. Governor Abbott is expected to give further guidance on Monday, April 27.

3. Guidance from our leaders and officials in Aransas County. FBC Rockport has always cooperated with our local officials and will continue to do so. I am serving on the Aransas County Economic Recovery Task Force, and I am in communication with leaders from ten different sectors representing the stakeholders in Aransas County. Next Thursday I have a Zoom meeting with various churches in Aransas County to discuss and share ideas about reopening our churches. The information from that meeting will then be shared with our local leaders. The results of the testing being conducted in Aransas County should be available sometime next week. We hope the results will give a better understanding of situation in our county.

4. Guidance from our sister Baptist churches in South Texas and across the country. All the ministerial staff are in ongoing discussions with other ministers as to how to proceed during these unusual times.

The guidance from the White House suggests a three-phase plan that moves from greater to lesser restrictions over time depending on the spread of the virus in communities. Please be advised that there is no scenario in which FBC Rockport simply opens and things are immediately the way they used to be. Reopening the church building for use will be done slowly over time per the guidance we receive. Being at the church will involve various stages in which we move from observing many restrictions to having fewer restrictions. The reason is to keep everyone safe while also finding ways to bring people together again. There is no way to know how long this process will take, or even when we can begin Phase One of the plan.

After discussions with the staff, the Life Group leaders, and age group ministry leaders, it appears that, at least for now, people would prefer to wait to gather at the church until there are fewer restrictions that we will have to follow.

We hope soon to offer our ideas of what Phase One of a three-phase reopening plan could look like and when we might try to begin. But it will be highly restrictive unless the guidance we receive indicates otherwise.

In the meantime, things will proceed as they have recently. Worship will be available online, as will a Wednesday night Bible Study, Daily Devotionals, and many of our Life Groups and age group ministries.

Now for some good news:
• Thousands of people around the world are being exposed to our online worship and Bible Studies, while many hundreds are taking the time to watch them.
• The online video of our Easter Worship Service has been played for over 14,000 minutes. Over 2000 different people have had access to that video, and we know that at least 253 different viewers watched it live. Many of those viewers watched with other people, so the number of people who worshipped with us live could be two or three times that number.
• Our Life Groups have found a variety of ways to study God’s word and remain connected to one another.
• There are many wonderful stories of ministry to our church members and to others in our community.
• Our giving has remained good even through the quarantine. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.
• To date, we have given financial assistance of about $12,000 to churches in the Blanco Baptist Association that are struggling financially due to the quarantine.
• To date, we have given financial assistance to about six households experiencing financial difficulties related to the quarantine.

Remember to contact me if you or somebody you know experiences financial troubles or has any other need due to the quarantine. Help is available and God is good. It is our calling, and our privilege to show the people of Aransas County just how good God truly is, even in such uncertain times.

I love all of you and it is a great honor to serve with you during this time!

Scott

April 16th Update

Scott Jones
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April 16th Update

If you were paying attention this evening, you may have heard the President’s plan for reopening America. It has a sort of pre-phase, then phases 1, 2, and 3. The Governor of the Great State of Texas will implement an appropriate version of this for our state. He is supposed to announce his plan tomorrow. From what I can tell, we are weeks away from possibly entering Phase 1, but when we do, churches are able to open under certain conditions and following strict guidelines.

All of that means that our church will likely maintain the current situation well into May. When we ARE able to gather, we will be strictly limited and regulated at first, which means it will not be church like we want.

Please be patient, stay safe, and follow the guidelines for keeping others safe. FBC Rockport will cooperate with our local, state, and federal leaders, and we will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and beyond.

We will update everyone when we know more.

May the Lord bless all of you!

April 10th Update from Pastor Scott

Scott Jones
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April 10th Update from Pastor Scott

Update from Pastor Scott:

Greetings everyone! I pray the Lord’s blessings are upon you as we enter this most unusual Easter weekend. I hope you will join us at 6 p.m. on Good Friday for the Live Stream of our Lord’s Supper Service. Then join us at 10 a.m. this Sunday morning as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

If you need financial help during this quarantine, please let me know. If you know of another church member who is facing financial difficulties due to the quarantine, please tell on them so I can find a way to help them. Also, if you know an Aransas County resident who needs help, I want to know that too. Right now we are giving financial assistance to our members and to nonmembers recommended to me by church members. Please email me or message me regarding financial help.

Our local leaders are telling us that they will extend the “Stay at Home” date through the end of April at least, and our church will cooperate with their request. We will follow our current status of online meetings until further notice.

Remember to check on and pray for one another. Please let me know if you need help or just someone to talk to. I love you all and I am praying for you.

Report From Pastor Scott

Scott Jones
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Report from Pastor Scott

To the members of FBC Rockport:

In the fortieth chapter of Isaiah, Yahweh reminds His people of His presence, His power, and His plans. It is an invitation to trust in the Lord and be comforted. You should read it today. Here is probably the most familiar part of the chapter:

Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:27-30

I am praying the Lord will reveal Himself to you today and renew your strength with each new day. I miss seeing all of you and being with you. I love you and pray for you daily.

Once again, I want to share with you what I know and then what I think.

Here is what I know:

1. Per the guidelines from the President of the United States and the Governor of the Great State of Texas, our office will remain closed and all in-person meetings are cancelled until further notice. The staff are working at home and can be reached by email, text, and cell phones. Someone is checking the mail and answering the church phone.

2. We will have a live broadcast of our Good Friday Worship Service, 6 p.m. on April 10. During that service we will observe the Lord’s Supper. Please arrange to have the elements that represent the body and blood of Christ for your family.

3. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday morning, April 12, at 10 a.m. Please join us and send a picture of your family in your Easter outfits this year. Pictures can be emailed to connect@fbcrockport.net.

4. Last night, April 2, the Finance Committee held an online meeting at my request with Jeff Lanningham, Pam Balentine (Financial Secretary), Phyllis Smith (Church Treasurer), and me. I asked them to discuss and come to a recommendation as to whether FBC Rockport would apply for funds from the CARES Act. The application process for federal relief funds for nonprofit organizations began on Friday morning, April 3. The Finance committee will make their own report to the church, but I was asked to let you know that after much research, prayer, agonizing, and discussion, they voted NOT to apply for the funds. I agree with their decision. Essentially, we would have been eligible to receive about $95,000 at a low interest rate. It may have been forgiven in total or in part at some point. It was agreed that this was not for us. My personal reasons for this decision are as follows: our church has a healthier financial situation than other churches and I think federal funds should go to those with a greater need; we have been faithful to save money for occasions such as this; and, personally, I do not want to rely on American Taxpayers or the Federal Government to provide financial hope to my church during this time. Instead, I choose to rely on the Lord and the members of this church. I know the Lord will do His part, and I am trusting you to do yours. I am thankful for Bob Dupnik and the members of the Finance Committee for their faithful, wise, service. Feel free to contact Bob if you have questions.

5. Last year we received a large financial gift that was designated to help with local benevolence needs. The Church Council and the Finance Committee both approved a plan to move $150,000 from that financial gift into our designated local benevolence fund. I am asking all of you who feel led to do so to also make contributions to that fund. Perhaps you could donate your government relief check whenever that arrives. The plan for using these funds is still being worked out so that we are good stewards and follow all IRS guidelines, but here is what I am thinking:
$50,000 is set aside to give financial assistance to our sister churches in the Blanco Baptist Association who are struggling financially as a result of the quarantine.$100,000 is set aside to give benevolent help to those in our church and community who can demonstrate a genuine benevolent need due to the quarantine.We will give financial help first to our members, secondly to nonmembers recommended to me by our church members, and then to other nonmembers in the community. The reason for this is because of the biblical teaching in 1 Timothy 5:3-8 that Christians should meet the needs of their own family, so they do not become an unnecessary burden on the church. We will look to care for our church family and turn our eyes to others in the community who need help as well. I believe the Lord will provide us with the resources to meet the needs of as many people in the church and community as we can.If you are a member of our church, and you have a benevolent need at this time due to the quarantine, please email me and I will let you know how to begin the application process.We are not accepting applications from nonmembers at this time but will do so soon.

6. Just so you know, Monty Brecheen, Hands of Hope, and some members of our church have been preparing and delivering meals to some shut-ins in our church and community twice a week. For more information about this ministry please contact Monty Brecheen.

7. First Methodist in Rockport is planning to open an emergency drive up food pantry on Thursday April 9, and 23, 3-6 p.m. at 801 E. Main. They are taking donations of food: Dry cereal, Dried beans, Rice, Canned veggies, Canned tuna fish, Peanut butter, Jelly, Crackers, Pasta Sauces (Jar or Canned), Pasta. These donations can be dropped off in the box in the covered breezeway near the entrance to the nursery (back side of the church) and will be brought into the church by the staff daily. If you are unable to bring items, and would still like to participate, please notify their church office and they will arrange for someone to pick up these items off your porch. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 1045, Rockport, TX 78381. Please note “Food Pantry” in the memo section. Thank you so much for your help!

Now…here is what I think:

1. Whatever is going to happen with the pandemic locally, it is possible that a peak in illnesses will happen in three to four weeks, followed by a peak in deaths in Texas due to the virus during first two weeks of May. That could mean that there will be another several weeks of decline in cases while we remain quarantined. You and I should prepare for the possibility that it might not be until sometime in June before we are able to resume anything like a regular schedule. All of this is a guess because no one knows for sure except God. I hope I am wrong, but this is what I think.

2. The church staff is prayerfully discussing how to reopen the church once the time comes. Some will want to dive right in while others will be apprehensive to be in our building and especially to be in crowded classrooms. Please have compassion and be patient with one another while we wait for God to do whatever He is going to do.

3. There could be months of cancellations to come. Wes has already rescheduled Impact Weekend for this fall. We should prepare now for the possibility that our beloved summer activities, like VBS and camps, will not happen or at least will not happen the way in which we want.

4. Finally, I think whether a church like ours can endure the coming months will depend on God and how the members of the church respond to God in three specific areas: Will we continue to support the church financially? Will we continue to connect with one another using the means available to us? Will we continue to seek out new ways to serve our community during this crisis and beyond?

I believe in and trust God will all my heart. I believe in and trust in God’s presence in all of you, the members of First Baptist Church Rockport. I am proud to be your pastor. It is an honor to serve alongside you in Aransas County and beyond.

Serving you,Pastor Scott

Staying Connected

Patty
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Staying Connected

STAYING CONNECTED DURING THIS UNUSUAL TIME

LIFE Groups

I want to thank our LIFE Groups on how you have responded to the closed campus. Many of our adult LIFE Groups are video conferencing through zoom.us. Others are using Facebook live and email to share lessons and stay in touch. If you have a need, you should contact your LIFE Group leader or contact the church office. The church is currently closed, but you can still reach someone through the office number, 361-729-6382. 
Teachers, if you are attempting to do video conferencing or Facebook live and you are having trouble, contact Jeff by e-mail at education@fbcrockport.net and he can offer you a couple of solutions to help.

Preschool and Children

Our new interim Children’s Director, Alexa Dick, taught a Bible lesson last Sunday on Facebook live at 9am. I have also asked parents to take the lead in teaching their children the Bible study. I have shared links that LifeWay has made available for free access to their curriculum. 

To access the free LifeWay Kids at Home and LifeWay Preschool at Home resources, please follow these three simple steps:

  • Go to digitalpass.lifeway.com
  • Log in or create an account (free)
  • Click the LifeWay Kids (or Preschool) at Home icon on the main page of Digital Pass

If you have any problems, contact Jeff Lanningham at education@fbcrockport.net.

Non-LIFE Group Members and Preschool, Children and Youth Teachers

If church members are not a member of a LIFE Group, they may struggle to stay connected right now. I am asking all adult church members to find an adult LIFE Group and connect with them so you will have a point of personal connection. I am also asking our adult LIFE Groups to be diligent in contacting those in your care to make sure everyone has a personal contact. See the LIFE Group Class Activities below.

How Life Groups Are Connecting

Emmanuel Class

Our class will use the video conferencing software “ZOOM” to facilitate an online class. We will plan to begin a class this Sunday, March 22, at 9 am. As soon as all are situated as best as possible, we will open with a prayer, review the lesson, maybe have some comments from those connecting and close with a prayer.
Please remember those needing prayer and send to Kathryn Albin for all prayer request. It is probably best to email to her at kathryn.albin@gmail.com.

Biblical Insights Class

Herman Green will continue to provide the weekly lessons on the Chapters of John and send them as attachments to class members e-mail. If you need snail mail, let Herman know. Feel free to raise questions or make comments on the lesson and the Chapters of John you are reading.

Further Still Class

We are going to attempt a Facebook Live Sunday morning at 9 and have asked everyone to join the Further Still private group.

Shepherdess

Linda Bradley will stay in touch with LifeGroup members by phone.

56 & Up Class

Will have Bible study on Sundays beginning at Johnny Melton’s house with a covered dish meal. Others have offered to have the study at their home. All members have been invited.

Praise Class

Class members will keep in touch through e-mail.

Lydia Class

Janis Scobee will be sending out the Bible study podcast from Lifeway to the class by e-mail for them to review before Sunday. On Sunday she will use e-mail to discuss the lesson.

20Somethings

Jeff will be leading the class in a video conference through zoom.us at 11:00 am Sundays.

Doers of the Word

Marcie’s class is using zoom to meet. They are meeting at 11:00 on Sundays, but they will probably adjust the time to Sunday afternoon.

Sunday Night LIFE Group

Jeff is teaching with the zoom app at their regular time of 6:00 pm.  

Co-Ed 56&Up Class

Jeff is teaching with the zoom app at their regular time of 6:00 pm.  

Office Working Remotely

Patty
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Office Working Remotely

The Office is Working Remotely

People can still contact the church offices. Our three office staff will share responsibilities to monitor the phones remotely. Call the regular church number, 361-729-6382, and you will be able to reach someone. 
Everyone in the office will work from home. Most of our regularly used systems, such as Touchpoint, Office 365, Constant Contact and more are cloud based and will allow us to seamlessly work remotely. With programs like zoom, we can still have ministerial meetings and office staff meetings if we deem it necessary. 
John is being asked to come the church once or twice a week to check the campus, empty any potential trash, and wipe down exterior door handles.

Covid-19 March 20, 2020 Update

Patty
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Update From Paster Scott

I hope all of you are well today. I have been praying for you daily. I appreciate all the words of encouragement and your prayers for me, our staff, our church, and the community.

The situation surrounding COVID-19 is fluid and changes rapidly. FBC Rockport will adapt as needed and we will work to keep everyone informed.

It is important that we keep our faith focused on Christ, that we operate according to facts, not fear, and that we do all we can to protect ourselves, our families, and our community from illness by following all the guidelines.

Here is a brief summary of what I know, followed by what I think will happen, and ending with some requests that I have for all of you.

First, here is a brief summary of the status of FBC Rockport:
Per the Executive Order from Governor Abbott, we will cooperate with local and state authorities and cancel all activities now through April 3.

The church office will remain open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can always reach us by phone, text, email, etc.

We will broadcast a Live Stream of a worship service at 10 a.m. Sundays, and 6 p.m. Wednesdays. We plan to continue to do a daily video devotional on weekday afternoons.

Jeff has communicated frequently with Life Group leaders providing a variety of options for staying connected to one another: video conferencing, emails, phone calls, and small in-person groups. Be sure to let Jeff know what you guys are doing.

We expect you all to continue to care for one another and others in our community. If you know of needs with which we can help, please let us know.

Second, here is what I think:
The ACISD tentatively plans to open on April 14, the Tuesday after Easter Sunday. I have heard similar things from other organizations. It seems to be a common hope that it will be safe to gather again by mid-April. Of course, no one knows for certain.

It is POSSIBLE that we will be able to gather for worship on Easter Sunday, April 12. We will see how things play out. If it is safe to gather sooner, we will.

That means we could POSSIBLY start our weekly schedule on Monday, April 6, or April 13, depending on the situation. I suspect it will be better to wait until the 13th.

We will go forward with the Community-Wide Easter Sunrise Service, 7 a.m. April 12 at the Festival Grounds, unless the Navigation District asks us not to gather on that day.

The ministerial staff will meet and communicate regularly and will update the church on ministry opportunities and such.

I think our church is going to be inundated with requests for help. Some local helping organizations have already closed their offices for a couple of weeks, which means more people coming our way. I would love to be able to help some of those in Aransas County who are experiencing a financial crisis due to COVID-19. I will work on my ideas as to the best way to provide help and report back later.

Third, here is what I ask:
We must be the church without walls. Each of you must seek the Lord as to your part in the Body of Christ at this time. I urge you to be a part.

Of course, pray diligently for one another, our community, our country, and for all the people in the world. Pray for workers, drivers, business owners, first-responders, medical professionals, and government leaders. Pray that God would deliver us all from this pandemic.

Pray also that people will come to know the Lord at this time. Be aware of opportunities for you to share your faith.

Please continue to give financial support to the church. So much depends on this. I am counting on all of you.
• If the Federal Government provides financial relief for Americans in the coming days, you and your family may not need the financial assistance. I wonder if you would consider donating some or all of your share to the Designated Benevolence Fund of First Baptist Church. We will partner with local relief agencies and other churches to do what we can to help the people of Aransas County through this difficult time. Pray about it.

I like the stories of how many people are putting up Christmas lights as a sign of hope during these dark times. Would you consider putting lights out at your house from now until Easter? The birth of Jesus was a moment of hope and a sign that God keeps His promises. Our community needs to be reminded of that. We are looking forward to the time in which we will be able to gather again. We are looking forward to the resurrection, a new birth, and new life. So, the lights would be a reminder of our hope while we wait patiently for God to keep His promises to us and we experience a new beginning at Easter.

I love you and I am proud to be your pastor. We will update you as needed. Everything is going to be OK. The Lord is with us.

Covid-19 March 17, 2020

Patty
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Covid-19 March 17, 2020

Message From Pastor Scott

First Baptist Rockport is cancelling all weekly activities, including all Sunday activities, until March 30. At that time, we will reevaluate the status of things and make decisions accordingly.

We made this decision because:

  1. It is the right thing to do.
  2. First Baptist Rockport involves many people in a variety of leadership and ministry settings, and we do not operate well on the fly. We need to let people know how to plan well for the next few weeks.
  3. We want to support/encourage our local leaders who are making the same kinds of decisions for their areas of responsibility.

First Baptist Rockport is going to be part of a larger effort to encourage people to practice social distance and thus “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the virus enough to accomplish two things:

  • First, we want to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities from the spread of the virus as much as possible; and
  • Second, we want to protect medical personnel and facilities from being overrun by critical care patients infected with the virus as much as possible.

It does not appear that we can stop the spread of the virus, so we want to do our part in the hopes of slowing it down through our social distancing for two weeks.

During that two-week period, we will live stream a worship service every Sunday morning and Wednesday night.

LIFE Groups

Since our church isn’t meeting for the next two weeks, we know you will want to stay connected to your Bible study group.  You have here some simple options that will be quite effective.

Remote Teaching – We are working to help classes that want to teach, do so remotely through video conferencing software.

Children’s groups may not be able to meet this way, but LifeWay is providing free family Bible study materials that parents can use with their children.

E-Mail and Phone Calls – Stay connected to class members and how they are doing.  You can still get together in small groups and pray, meet, eat and share concerns.  If you need a class phone list, contact the church office between 8am-noon at 361-729-6382

In-home groups – Just because your group can’t get together on a Sunday doesn’t mean that you cannot break your group into smaller sub-groups!

LifeWay is working quickly to respond and help churches deal with the effects of COVID-19. Here are some things they are doing to help:

  • LifeWay Kids has created free at-home supplements for families impacted by COVID-19.  Our church will be putting out information concerning this later this week.  We will also send this to families.
  • We provide free podcasts each week for Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, and Gospel Project. They relate to the study taking place that week, and the links can be shared with teachers and group members. Click one of the following links depending upon which curriculum line your group uses:  Gospel Project, Bible Studies for Life (scroll to the bottom of the page), Explore the Bible (click on an individual session and scroll down for the podcast).

11:00 Praise and Worship Service

Patty
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11:00 Praise and Worship Service

The 11:00 am worship service is led by Matt Sumrall and the band singing praise and worship music. Pastor Scott Jones brings the message.

8:30 AM Traditional Service

Patty
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8:30 AM Traditional Service

The 8:30 am worship service is led by Matt Sumrall and features a choir and traditional hymn singing. Pastor Scott Jones brings the message in both Sunday morning services.

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