Brandon Valley Baptist Church Newsletter
JULY 2020
PASTORAL MEDITATIONS
This month I want to take you to a short psalm that speaks to the needs of our day. Right now the news is filled with reports of violence, and anarchy, and chaos. Business are burned to the ground. Lives are taken. Police are held back by politicians, some of whom seem to endorse the looting and rioting that is taking place. The pandemic plays into this because everything seems to be in a state of disquiet and unease. People of good intent disagree on the severity of it, and the approach to dealing with it. The economic impact has been massive and unrelenting. So how do we as Christians, brothers and sisters in the Lord respond to all of this? Psalm 133 sums up our response in one word… unity. It is defined as the state of being undivided or unbroken; the state of completeness or totality with nothing wanting. The psalm begins with a simple statement: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” Since this is a ‘Song of Ascents’ it would be speaking of Israelites, who had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, abiding in peace with one another. The ideal Israel is a community of true brotherhood, where the members practice mutual concern for one another. In our church context it’s a state of mutual concern where everyone is committed to treat each other with honor and respect so that everyone feels like a complete part of the body. That kind of community would be good and pleasant, not just in God’s eyes, but in our own experience. The psalmist goes on to use two similes that would create vivid pictures for the Israelites. The first pictures the ordination oil on the head of Aaron and his descendants. In Exodus 30:23-24 it describes this anointing oil as being made up of the finest oils and spices. The aroma is described as being like something created by a perfumer. It was a special perfume. Verse 32 states that it cannot be poured on the body of an ordinary person because it is a holy oil. When it was poured on the heads of Aaron and the priests it was a special consecration that set them apart as priests before God. The picture of unity is found in v.2 of Psalm 133. That holy oil was poured on the head, and it ran down to the beard, and even on the collar of his robe. There is a picture of completeness and totality here. Nothing is left out of the anointing. The holy oil touched every part of the priest. Everything was consecrated. Everything about them was given to God. That is what our personal unity should look like. Nothing is left out. No one is left behind. Every part of our lives is important to God. Every believer is equally important before God. The second simile pictures the dew of Hermon. Mount Hermon is a high, snowcapped mountain at the northern end of Israel. The picture of the dew of Mt. Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion is a picture of interconnectedness. The cool slopes and moisture of Mt. Hermon provide the dew and the rains that fall across the rest of the land of Israel. From north to south each part is connected to the other. The fruitfulness of the land is dependent on that unity. We are interconnected in Christ. Our fruitfulness as individuals is dependent on the unity that we experience as brothers and sisters in Christ. The psalm concludes by speaking of the blessing: “… life forevermore.” We are united in faith. We are united in love. We are united in Christ. That unity is a picture of the blessing that is eternal life. Life together is good and pleasant when we choose to dwell together in unity.
Blessings,
Pastor Randy
CHURCH UPDATE: WE ARE REOPENING!!
The Leadership Team has decided to start the process of moving back into the church for worship. That is a good thing! It has been a long time since we have been able to be together in the building. As we take this step it is important that we do it safely, and in a way that allows people to be comfortable entering the building again. The Center for Disease Control recommends these preventative actions:
• Attempt to maintain social distancing of 6’ when possible, if not possible use of a mask is recommended.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or if no tissue cover mouth with arm.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
In order to follow the above recommendations the Leadership Team has established the following guidelines in order to provide a safe and comfortable worship experience for everyone:
Pre-Service
* Have doors blocked open that congregation will use to minimize need for any unnecessary contact. Rooms that will not be used should have doors shut with a sign to let people know we are not using that room.
*Have usher or greeter at the front door to open as congregation enters church.
*Have signs posted in areas as people enter the church with the CDC recommendations.
Service:
* Seating arrangements – the sanctuary chairs have been set up with the goal of maintaining social distancing. We recognize that some shifting of chairs will be necessary so that families can be seated together. If you do move chairs, please make sure that the new seating arrangement meets the 6 foot social distancing guidelines. We will have ushers available to help you with this.
* Greeting Members – When we have a greeting time our current guidelines for greeting will eliminate handshakes. Please stay in place and greet those around you verbally while maintaining social distancing.
* Singing – Our current guideline is to encourage the wearing of masks while singing.
* Hymnals – To minimize any spread through handling of bibles or hymnals we will use projected slides with words to any songs. Members can use personal bibles for scripture reading.
* Communion – Servers will wear gloves and masks; elements will be handed to congregants to limit the number of people touching the trays.
* Children’s Church – We will not have children’s church for the time being. This will be reevaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Nursery – We will not have an organized nursery schedule for the foreseeable future. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits. The nursery room will be available for family use as needed if a parent or sibling is available to sit with toddlers. We would like to limit the use of the nursey if possible.
* Bathrooms – Bathroom entry doors will be left open and light switches will be left on until after church. Signs will be posted in bathrooms to remind attendees to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
* Offering – The offering plate will be at the door following the church service.
* Masks – It is strongly recommended that all attendees wear a mask if possible. Ushers and greeters will wear masks in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. Ushers will wear gloves in situations that require handling of anything that will be touched by any non-family member. We encourage attendees to have their own personal masks if possible. The church will have masks available.
* Social distancing – We strongly recommend that a 6-foot distance be maintained with non-family members. If that cannot be maintained, we request that a mask be used. This is extremely important to prevent any virus spread, if present. Remember, this is not just for you, it is for the people in our congregation who are more elderly or who have compromised immune systems. Please be thinking of others and put their needs first.
Post Service
* Fellowship Time and Treats – No treats will be available after church. This will be reevaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Adult Sunday School – For the time being we will not have adult Sunday school. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Children’s Sunday School – For the time being we will not have children’s Sunday school. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits.
The Leadership Team has decided to start the process of moving back into the church for worship. That is a good thing! It has been a long time since we have been able to be together in the building. As we take this step it is important that we do it safely, and in a way that allows people to be comfortable entering the building again. The Center for Disease Control recommends these preventative actions:
• Attempt to maintain social distancing of 6’ when possible, if not possible use of a mask is recommended.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or if no tissue cover mouth with arm.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
In order to follow the above recommendations the Leadership Team has established the following guidelines in order to provide a safe and comfortable worship experience for everyone:
Pre-Service
* Have doors blocked open that congregation will use to minimize need for any unnecessary contact. Rooms that will not be used should have doors shut with a sign to let people know we are not using that room.
*Have usher or greeter at the front door to open as congregation enters church.
*Have signs posted in areas as people enter the church with the CDC recommendations.
Service:
* Seating arrangements – the sanctuary chairs have been set up with the goal of maintaining social distancing. We recognize that some shifting of chairs will be necessary so that families can be seated together. If you do move chairs, please make sure that the new seating arrangement meets the 6 foot social distancing guidelines. We will have ushers available to help you with this.
* Greeting Members – When we have a greeting time our current guidelines for greeting will eliminate handshakes. Please stay in place and greet those around you verbally while maintaining social distancing.
* Singing – Our current guideline is to encourage the wearing of masks while singing.
* Hymnals – To minimize any spread through handling of bibles or hymnals we will use projected slides with words to any songs. Members can use personal bibles for scripture reading.
* Communion – Servers will wear gloves and masks; elements will be handed to congregants to limit the number of people touching the trays.
* Children’s Church – We will not have children’s church for the time being. This will be reevaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Nursery – We will not have an organized nursery schedule for the foreseeable future. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits. The nursery room will be available for family use as needed if a parent or sibling is available to sit with toddlers. We would like to limit the use of the nursey if possible.
* Bathrooms – Bathroom entry doors will be left open and light switches will be left on until after church. Signs will be posted in bathrooms to remind attendees to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
* Offering – The offering plate will be at the door following the church service.
* Masks – It is strongly recommended that all attendees wear a mask if possible. Ushers and greeters will wear masks in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. Ushers will wear gloves in situations that require handling of anything that will be touched by any non-family member. We encourage attendees to have their own personal masks if possible. The church will have masks available.
* Social distancing – We strongly recommend that a 6-foot distance be maintained with non-family members. If that cannot be maintained, we request that a mask be used. This is extremely important to prevent any virus spread, if present. Remember, this is not just for you, it is for the people in our congregation who are more elderly or who have compromised immune systems. Please be thinking of others and put their needs first.
Post Service
* Fellowship Time and Treats – No treats will be available after church. This will be reevaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Adult Sunday School – For the time being we will not have adult Sunday school. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits.
* Children’s Sunday School – For the time being we will not have children’s Sunday school. This will be re-evaluated periodically as the situation merits.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
SPIRITUAL VISION TEAM REPORT 06/22/2020
Spiritual Vision team Report Spiritual Vision team did not meet during the month of June. Team members were involved with preparing items for the June Outdoor worship service, the first indoor worship service and communicating. I have also attended leadership sessions and a 2 day “Meeting” all using Zoom. These were lead by Cameron Roxburgh from Vancoover, BC. He is a Pastor in the NAB conference. I will share a couple items from these. One was the importance of knowing where our heart is relative to our Lord. Jesus pointed out the importance of where the heart is many times. The Old Testament has a great many spiritual references to the heart. The importance of guarding your heart is brought out in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV2011) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. How you seek God is vividly pointed out in Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV2011) “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. Cameron Roxburgh spoke of a pastor’s conference held at a monastery. No modern digital devices were allowed at any time. One of the pastors asked the speaker about the homework for the next day. The speaker said they were to get 10 hours sleep since pastors were very busy and were sleep deprived. They had the same assignment for three days. Elimination of hurry is important for our spiritual life. The idea of slow was discussed. The Sabbath is for restoration of the soul. Pastor Randy is now involved with presenting the message for 3 formats. This takes quite a bit more time. We need to lift him, our congregation and our neighbors up before the Lord in our prayers. Submitted By, Eugene Preston
EVENTS CALENDAR 2020:
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MISSIONARY UPDATES
MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH
DARWIN & KAREN STOESZ - JAPAN
Darwin first arrived in Japan in 1994 and spent a year teaching English. After he married Karen, they arrived in Japan in 2004 and served as short-term missionaries for two years. In 2008, they returned to Japan as career missionaries. After a period of language study, the Lord continues to provide for them as they work in various capacities. Darwin has served SEND Japan as Business Manager since June 2013. As part of the office staff, Darwin finds it meaningful to serve fellow missionaries and Japanese staff in ways that enable them to concentrate on the ministry the Lord has called them to. Karen serves as SEND Japan’s Area Women’s representative and on the Board of Directors at Christian Academy in Japan, whose mission is to “equip students to serve Japan and the world for Christ.” They have two daughters, Anna and Clara, who both attend Christian Academy in Japan.
RON & JEANNIE SECK-HUNGARY
Hello, and for some of our prayer partners, HELLO again. I am resending our prayer update, due to a lot of online glitches and returned emails encountered yesterday. Please excuse the repeat, but we do want to make sure that the prayer update gets to all of our faithful prayer supporters. Thank you for your understanding and your care. Hello to all our prayer partners in this unique time in history! This is a time unlike any other, but all times are in God’s compassionate hands. Truly, we agree with the Prophet Habakkuk when he said: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known...” Habakkuk 3:2 NIV Ron and I would like to share with you some of the wonderful happenings in Central Europe and the Balkans among the numerous CHE teams. Please check out the new blogs on the Happenings page on our website, especially on the Our Teams section: https://justaseck.wordpress.com/category/happenings/ Thank you for your concern and your prayers! For His Kingdom come, Jeannie and Ron Seck
