April 20, 2020
Dear Church Family,
Sunday, March 15, 2020 turned out to be a very significant day. None of us who gathered for worship that morning realized that it would be our last opportunity to gather as God’s people for a while. Perhaps we should all feel somewhat convicted about how we are prone to take the regular gathering of our church body for granted. We all certainly realize how much it means to us now!
There have been personal challenges for all of us during this time. Some have been furloughed, businesses have ceased operations, and some have continued to work, but in the new environment of viruses and fear. Our church has not been immune to these challenges either. We have been unable to congregate. We have been forced to pursue the use of technology and other means to stay connected. To be certain, these have been trying days.
The times are difficult, but we want to quickly affirm our Lord’s goodness and graciousness to us. He is helping us as we labor under these new circumstances. To him be the glory!
The purpose of this letter is to give you an update about our plans and what we have been doing. It is yet unknown when all of us will be able to gather again in our church building. However, there are still opportunities to spend time together, at least in some sense.
We will continue to use technology in some way to minister to you and your family for the times we cannot meet. Since technology will be a vital part of the ministry for a while, we have applied for a grant that would enable us to purchase the necessary camera and equipment to stream our services more reliably and with better quality. As part of the grant, we would be required to contribute 10 percent or $500 toward the project. If you would like to donate toward this cause, please contact Pastor Paul to make arrangements.
Here are some additional ministries offered by our faithful servants at the church:
In our Lord’s service,
Pastor Paul Burton
*We have an opportunity in the next few days to pre-order masks for distribution to our church members and the community at-large. This could be a service to our church and an outreach to the community. Surgical type masks cost $29 for a box of 50. N95 masks cost $3.95 each or $79 for a box of 20. Please contact the church if you would like to give toward this effort. Likewise, please contact us if you have a need of any sort.
Dear Church Family,
Sunday, March 15, 2020 turned out to be a very significant day. None of us who gathered for worship that morning realized that it would be our last opportunity to gather as God’s people for a while. Perhaps we should all feel somewhat convicted about how we are prone to take the regular gathering of our church body for granted. We all certainly realize how much it means to us now!
There have been personal challenges for all of us during this time. Some have been furloughed, businesses have ceased operations, and some have continued to work, but in the new environment of viruses and fear. Our church has not been immune to these challenges either. We have been unable to congregate. We have been forced to pursue the use of technology and other means to stay connected. To be certain, these have been trying days.
The times are difficult, but we want to quickly affirm our Lord’s goodness and graciousness to us. He is helping us as we labor under these new circumstances. To him be the glory!
The purpose of this letter is to give you an update about our plans and what we have been doing. It is yet unknown when all of us will be able to gather again in our church building. However, there are still opportunities to spend time together, at least in some sense.
- Adult Discipleship Class is now being offered via Zoom every Sunday at 10:00.
- Zoom is a free platform for us to meet online by audio/video. Please contact Sister Kim Bieker at kbieker@ditechinc.net to be included in the weekly invite for the class. Contact the church office if you have technology issues or if you are experiencing issues setting up your Zoom account. We highly encourage everyone to participate in the discipleship class. God has provided this tool for us to stay in contact with one another. We shouldn’t miss out on this opportunity.
- Sunday service is now being offered in two ways at 10:45. Keep Reading!!
- Facebook Live. Lord willing, we plan to broadcast our Sunday morning service every week via Facebook Live. This is all new to us so please bear with us in the coming weeks. With God’s grace we will get better at this.
- Limited in-person at the church. We are testing a limited in-person audience (no more than 8 spots each week). Social distancing will be practiced, seating arrangements are assigned, and the building will be disinfected each week. This is merely another option for those in our church family who wish to take part in the service. If you or your family desire to take advantage of this, please email pastorp@cfcedinburgh.com or call 812-703-5084. Leave a simple message stating your name and that you would like to attend. We will include you in the rotation.
We will continue to use technology in some way to minister to you and your family for the times we cannot meet. Since technology will be a vital part of the ministry for a while, we have applied for a grant that would enable us to purchase the necessary camera and equipment to stream our services more reliably and with better quality. As part of the grant, we would be required to contribute 10 percent or $500 toward the project. If you would like to donate toward this cause, please contact Pastor Paul to make arrangements.
Here are some additional ministries offered by our faithful servants at the church:
- Daily Discipleship Facebook posts.
- Grocery or pharmacy pickup and delivery, household chores, etcetera—specifically for our seniors.
- Online resources for Bible study and prayer.
- Outreach to the community as the Lord opens doors and enables us.*
- General maintenance and upkeep of the church property.
- Online giving tool.
In our Lord’s service,
Pastor Paul Burton
*We have an opportunity in the next few days to pre-order masks for distribution to our church members and the community at-large. This could be a service to our church and an outreach to the community. Surgical type masks cost $29 for a box of 50. N95 masks cost $3.95 each or $79 for a box of 20. Please contact the church if you would like to give toward this effort. Likewise, please contact us if you have a need of any sort.
March 23, 2020
Dear Church Family,
You are our brothers and sisters in Christ and we love each and every one of you.
This message is to provide you with information about our plans for the coming days and to give you and your family a word of encouragement. To learn about our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic please refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below:
Q: When will we meet again as a church family?
A: Given the travel and meeting restrictions mandated by our national and state governments, please expect for the next month or so we as a church body will not be able to gather in person as we’re accustomed to doing.
This cancellation includes all in-person services (Sundays & Wednesdays) for at least the month of April. Unfortunately this also includes our Easter services for April 12, 2020.
We believe this is the safest and most appropriate course of action God would have us follow at this time. The suspension of our worship services should not be seen as forsaking the gathering of God’s people, persecution of the church, or preventing Christians from worshipping God.
Please know that we will resume regular services as soon as it is safe for us to do so.
Q: What do we do in the meantime?
A: We will endeavor to provide the following resources as the Lord enables us.
We will provide the Daily Discipleship Guide on both the church website (www.cfcedinburgh.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cfcedinburgh).
Please do not neglect this resource which will help guide your personal study of God’s Word as well as assist you in leading family worship in your home.
Q: What if I need something?
A: Regardless of age, NO ONE should be doing any unnecessary travel during this time. This is particularly true of those most at risk from the coronavirus – our parents and grandparents.
Please DO NOT leave your home. It is NOT SAFE for the elderly to be out in the public.
If you need prescriptions, groceries or supplies delivered to you contact the church office (812.703.5084) or my (Paul) cell phone (317.999.8378).
Q: What about communion and tithing when we can’t gather together?
A: We’re working on a solution for taking the Lord’s Table (communion) together as a church via Facebook Live on the last Sunday in April. We’ll keep you posted about the details as they become available.
We understand giving to the church under the current circumstances could pose a hardship to some of us. For those that need assistance filing for benefits or financial assistance from the government please contact the church office. We want to be a resource in this regard.
For online giving to the church, we have established links to PayPal and Tithe.ly on the church website or alternatively mail your gift payable to CFC at 125 Lind Dr., Edinburgh, IN 46124.
Together we trust that God will provide for His people and work all things for the good of those that love Him.
In our Lord’s service,
Paul Burton
Dear Church Family,
You are our brothers and sisters in Christ and we love each and every one of you.
This message is to provide you with information about our plans for the coming days and to give you and your family a word of encouragement. To learn about our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic please refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below:
Q: When will we meet again as a church family?
A: Given the travel and meeting restrictions mandated by our national and state governments, please expect for the next month or so we as a church body will not be able to gather in person as we’re accustomed to doing.
This cancellation includes all in-person services (Sundays & Wednesdays) for at least the month of April. Unfortunately this also includes our Easter services for April 12, 2020.
We believe this is the safest and most appropriate course of action God would have us follow at this time. The suspension of our worship services should not be seen as forsaking the gathering of God’s people, persecution of the church, or preventing Christians from worshipping God.
Please know that we will resume regular services as soon as it is safe for us to do so.
Q: What do we do in the meantime?
A: We will endeavor to provide the following resources as the Lord enables us.
- Daily Discipleship. Prayer and Bible reading is always important to the spiritual health of you and your family. It is especially important in times likes these.
We will provide the Daily Discipleship Guide on both the church website (www.cfcedinburgh.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cfcedinburgh).
Please do not neglect this resource which will help guide your personal study of God’s Word as well as assist you in leading family worship in your home.
- Sunday Morning Live. In addition to the Daily Discipleship Guide posts on Facebook, beginning this Sunday 3/29, you can go to the church Facebook page at 10:45 AM (our regular service time) for some familiar faces offering a worship song, a sermon, or a brief conversation. Please call the church office (812.703.5084) if you have difficulty with this platform.
- Check for Church Communication. As new or updated information becomes available we will post it to the website so check back often. When appropriate, church correspondence may be sent to your home via the postal service.
- Stay in Contact. Please remain in contact by phone, text or email with your immediate family along with your brothers and sisters in Christ during our time of physical separation. If you need a church directory, we will make sure you get one. This ensures we can encourage, support and minister to each other in love.
Q: What if I need something?
A: Regardless of age, NO ONE should be doing any unnecessary travel during this time. This is particularly true of those most at risk from the coronavirus – our parents and grandparents.
Please DO NOT leave your home. It is NOT SAFE for the elderly to be out in the public.
If you need prescriptions, groceries or supplies delivered to you contact the church office (812.703.5084) or my (Paul) cell phone (317.999.8378).
Q: What about communion and tithing when we can’t gather together?
A: We’re working on a solution for taking the Lord’s Table (communion) together as a church via Facebook Live on the last Sunday in April. We’ll keep you posted about the details as they become available.
We understand giving to the church under the current circumstances could pose a hardship to some of us. For those that need assistance filing for benefits or financial assistance from the government please contact the church office. We want to be a resource in this regard.
For online giving to the church, we have established links to PayPal and Tithe.ly on the church website or alternatively mail your gift payable to CFC at 125 Lind Dr., Edinburgh, IN 46124.
Together we trust that God will provide for His people and work all things for the good of those that love Him.
In our Lord’s service,
Paul Burton