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COUNCIL NOTICE - May 18, 2020
The Church Council met on May 18 to assess plans for reopening Bible Lutheran through the summer months. The following decisions were made:
1. Sunday non-Communion Worship will continue to be offered in the Sanctuary at 10am. Starting Sunday, June 7, Pastor Dave will also offer “private communion” following worship for those who wish to stay.
2. Sunday School and Bible Classes will remain recessed through the months of June & July. They are tentatively scheduled to resume on August 9 (Sunday School Promotion Sunday).
3. The nursery will remain closed for the time being as some physical upgrades are currently being made. It will be reopened when the upgrades are finished. Families with children are encouraged to use the fellowship hall if needed during the worship hour.
4. Pastor Dave will continue to send out materials for Family/Home Altar worship throughout the Summer.
5. The Bible Lutheran building is reopened for committee and group use as of May 18. Such use is limited in size to 10 people. Distancing and mask protocols are recommended.
1. Sunday non-Communion Worship will continue to be offered in the Sanctuary at 10am. Starting Sunday, June 7, Pastor Dave will also offer “private communion” following worship for those who wish to stay.
2. Sunday School and Bible Classes will remain recessed through the months of June & July. They are tentatively scheduled to resume on August 9 (Sunday School Promotion Sunday).
3. The nursery will remain closed for the time being as some physical upgrades are currently being made. It will be reopened when the upgrades are finished. Families with children are encouraged to use the fellowship hall if needed during the worship hour.
4. Pastor Dave will continue to send out materials for Family/Home Altar worship throughout the Summer.
5. The Bible Lutheran building is reopened for committee and group use as of May 18. Such use is limited in size to 10 people. Distancing and mask protocols are recommended.
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)
Jointly Signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
COUNCIL NOTICE - May 12, 2020
On April 27, 2020, the Church Council voted to reopen Bible Lutheran Church for worship only on May 17, 2020, unless new orders were given by the Governor to keep churches closed. It was decided that a non-communion worship would be held in the Sanctuary and appropriate worship protocols developed and disseminated among congregational members. These worship protocols were to be mailed or emailed to all Bible Lutheran members and posted on the Bible Lutheran website. Pastor Dave would also continue to provide worship materials for those who remain at home and offer private “family communion” by appointment.
Since Governor Kemp has not issued a new general order to shelter in place or to keep churches closed, we will reopen Bible Lutheran Church for worship only starting this Sunday, May 17. Worship protocols are attached and can be found on the BLC Website HERE. Members are asked to read them carefully and follow them graciously. Doors will open for worship at 9:30am.
The order for medically fragile and older Georgians to shelter in place remains through June 12. We encourage our members so defined to remain home until the mandate is lifted.
We thank God for his enduring love which has upheld us in this unusual time and we look forward to gathering again as the Body of Christ to glorify his holy name.
Jointly Signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
Jointly Signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
COUNCIL NOTICE - APRIL 27, 2020
The Church Council met on Monday, April 27, to reassess the current closure of Bible Lutheran Church. After discussion of the health and safety of Bible staff and members, the feedback of Bible members through their Gracevine contacts, and a review of Governor Kemp’s current orders related to Covid-19, the Council voted to set a tentative date of May 17 for reopening the church building for worship only. This decision includes the following:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Jointly Signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
- If Governor Kemp extends orders that prevent us from reopening on the 17th, members will be contacted with that information.
- A communication describing worship protocol upon reopening will be sent to all members for review before the 17th. For the time being, the Sacrament will not be offered in the liturgy upon reopening, but private communion for families/members will still be offered by Pastor Dave by appointment only.
- Pastor Dave will continue to send out a weekly worship sheet and message via email and will post the same on the BLC Website.
- Sunday School classes and the nursery will not be reopened for now.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Jointly Signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
COUNCIL NOTICE - APRIL 1, 2020
The Church Council met on Wednesday, April 1, and voted to extend the suspension of all public gatherings at Bible Lutheran Church through April 30, 2020. This seemed the appropriate action in light of Governor Kemps decision to issue a statewide “Shelter In” order through April 13, and the closure of all schools for the remainder of the school year.
The decision is a painful one as it means there will be no Holy Week services in the church building. All members of Bible are encouraged to continue at worship and prayer as the Body of Christ domiciled in your house (i.e., House Church). Pastor Dave will continue to offer “Family Altar” worship materials which will be emailed to all members and posted on the Bible Lutheran Website. There will be material sent out for all 4 Holy Week services (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter). Pastor Dave will also post a short video of his message.
These are unprecedented times and we are all outside of our “comfort zones.” Yet we are never outside of God’s “comfort” zone. St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
The Council will meet again on April 27 to reassess our options for worship and gathering. In the meantime, we encourage all members to pray for one another daily, to make any member needs known to Pastor Dave or your GraceVine leader, and do what you can to serve the neighbors around you.
Jointly signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
The decision is a painful one as it means there will be no Holy Week services in the church building. All members of Bible are encouraged to continue at worship and prayer as the Body of Christ domiciled in your house (i.e., House Church). Pastor Dave will continue to offer “Family Altar” worship materials which will be emailed to all members and posted on the Bible Lutheran Website. There will be material sent out for all 4 Holy Week services (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter). Pastor Dave will also post a short video of his message.
These are unprecedented times and we are all outside of our “comfort zones.” Yet we are never outside of God’s “comfort” zone. St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
The Council will meet again on April 27 to reassess our options for worship and gathering. In the meantime, we encourage all members to pray for one another daily, to make any member needs known to Pastor Dave or your GraceVine leader, and do what you can to serve the neighbors around you.
Jointly signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
COUNCIL NOTICE - MARCH 18, 2020
After careful consideration and discussion this evening (Wednesday, March 18), the Church Council voted to suspend all regularly scheduled public gatherings for Bible Lutheran until March 31.
This means that all Sunday School Classes and Sunday Worship (March 22 & 29), Confirmation Classes (March 22, 24, 29,31), Wednesday Lenten Meal & Lesson (March 25), Sanctuary Deep Clean (March 28), GRITS Loaves & Fishes (March 30), & Quilters (March 31) are canceled. The Church Council will reassess the closure and make a new recommendation at the end of the month.
This decision was made in recognition of the current health crisis and the request of the governing authorities to limit group sizes to 10. The decision was not made lightly as it is always good when the people of God can gather in the church building for worship and edification. However, since the Church is the people of God (and not the building), there is the recognition that we can worship God in our homes as well. Matthew 18:20: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” More information will be sent out tomorrow about how we might use this time at home to our spiritual advantage.
The Council would also like everyone to know that we will be keeping in touch with everyone over the next 2 weeks through Pastor Dave's ministry and the use of the Council Gracevine. Most of you have already received a phone call from your Council Gracevine leader. If you are unsure who your leader is, please contact the church office.
Finally, in this uncertain time we encourage all of Bible's members to prayerfully put their trust in God and to look out for their family and friends as true loving Christians.
Jointly signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
This means that all Sunday School Classes and Sunday Worship (March 22 & 29), Confirmation Classes (March 22, 24, 29,31), Wednesday Lenten Meal & Lesson (March 25), Sanctuary Deep Clean (March 28), GRITS Loaves & Fishes (March 30), & Quilters (March 31) are canceled. The Church Council will reassess the closure and make a new recommendation at the end of the month.
This decision was made in recognition of the current health crisis and the request of the governing authorities to limit group sizes to 10. The decision was not made lightly as it is always good when the people of God can gather in the church building for worship and edification. However, since the Church is the people of God (and not the building), there is the recognition that we can worship God in our homes as well. Matthew 18:20: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” More information will be sent out tomorrow about how we might use this time at home to our spiritual advantage.
The Council would also like everyone to know that we will be keeping in touch with everyone over the next 2 weeks through Pastor Dave's ministry and the use of the Council Gracevine. Most of you have already received a phone call from your Council Gracevine leader. If you are unsure who your leader is, please contact the church office.
Finally, in this uncertain time we encourage all of Bible's members to prayerfully put their trust in God and to look out for their family and friends as true loving Christians.
Jointly signed,
Beth Helmly, Council President
Dave Hansen, Pastor
PSALM 91 NIV
- Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
- I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
- Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
- He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
- You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
- nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
- A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
- You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
- If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
- no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
- For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
- they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
- You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
- “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
- He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
- With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
