FACT Family,
This is the second update in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The dynamics of this situation are changing daily. We are in regular communication as FACT leadership to prayerfully and prudently make decisions for the well-being of the FACT family and our local community in light of Kingdom living as biblical, loving, Spirit-filled disciples.
We affirm that the Lord Almighty is clearly in control, that nothing that is happening has caught Him by surprise, and that He is above all and over all. We affirm that our hope and trust is in the risen Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. We affirm that we live in a spirit of love and power, and not fear, because we live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We also acknowledge that we have freedoms in regards to spiritual practices that we have had the privilege to exercise in this county, while at the same time recognizing our responsibility to heed the admonitions of the Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to cooperate with and pray for those in authority.
With those dynamics in mind, at this time our Sunday morning schedule for this Sunday, March 15 will include adult Discipling Communities and children/youth Sunday School at 9am and the worship service at 10:30am. There will be no Coffee & Connection.
That being said, a few things to know:
If you are feeling unwell, or have recently been sick, we strongly encourage you to stay home, even if you think it is nothing more than a common cold. If you are scheduled to serve as part of a ministry team, please let your team leader know.
If you are in a high-risk category (weaker immune system, high blood pressure, respiratory issues, heart condition) or increasingly above the age of 60, we recommend that you honestly evaluate your own health situation, follow your doctor’s recommendations, and potentially choose to stay home.
As is our regular practice, we remind parents of our Wellness Policy that kids and teens who are, or appear, sick (runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, etc.) should also stay home. This includes fever free for 24 hours and, if on antibiotics, to have been on them for 48 hours.
We strongly discourage shaking hands and hugging. Our greeting team will be refraining from these methods of greeting. Feel free to politely decline an offered hand and instead choose to wave or bump elbows.
When you come and need to cough or sneeze, consider others around you and keep it covered, preferably into the bend of your elbow.
We will receive tithes & offerings at the end of the service as you leave. Ushers will be stationed at the doors. We also remind you of our safe and secure online giving options found at FACToccoa.com/give
We will also be seeking to sanitize common surfaces at various points during the morning. We have a plan in place. If you would like to help Eric Brubaker fulfill this plan, please contact him.
In addition, please disinfect personal belongings you may bring with you like diaper bags, blankets, or other items that may be touched by other people before you come.
We will not be showing Episode 11 of the 2020 Vision series as was previously communicated. We anticipate a number of people not coming, and we want to wait until we are back together again.
The message from Sunday will be posted to the website and the mobile app on Monday.
And of course, please continue to thoroughly and often wash hands with soap and water in addition to using a minimum 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
After this Sunday, we will continue to evaluate and communicate changes and potential cancellations through various sources including email, Facebook, and our website. We will also be setting up a page on our website that will begin to list regular meetings and events that are cancelled and that we aware of.
In closing, we want to offer these 4 encouragements, shared by another church with their congregation:
Be thankful to God for his sovereign goodness.
Pray for our earthly leaders that they would be wise and strong. Pray for our healthcare workers that they would stay healthy and compassionate to care for the many who are sick and scared. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Continue to be faithful and generous in your tithes and offerings. Our financial stewardship to the Great Commission Fund and local ministries remain the same. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
Pray for opportunities to share the hope and peace that you have knowing that you are secure in Christ and that you know beyond any doubt that this life isn’t all there is. 1 Peter 3:15
We walk together in the strength of Christ in these days for God’s glory,
FACT Pastoral Staff and Elders