“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 KJV)
Oh, my heart breaks today…
For the healthcare providers who are on the front lines…
For Law Enforcement/First Response Personnel who are on the front lines…
For the President, Governor and national/state leadership making tough decisions…
For the church leadership (Pastors, Deacons, Elders) who are attempting to navigate uncertain waters while keeping the local body of believers safe, healthy…
For the CHURCH longing for their meeting house…
This morning I have wept with tears of sorrow as I have prayed over these and sought to be a part of the solution, locally within the body of Christ I am called to serve as the one who feeds and protects those which God has given to me. It is a truly heavy-hearted moment and one to which God has called me to for “such a time as this.” Be assured I, nor the leadership of Rockford Church, do not take this responsibility lightly. No, in reality we are trembling in the presence of our Holy, Mighty God who will sustain, strengthen, and straighten out the mess we are encountering with the COVID-19.
Read article on updated deaths in Alabama:
The numbers today have climbed yet again. Total cases worldwide are 559,000+, and in the United States the number stands at 80,735 as of 10:29 AM (3/27). As of March 27, at 1:55 PM the total number of cases in Alabama is 583, with 52 new cases today. Total tested is at 4,755. Total deaths are 3. In Coosa county the Alabama Department of Health is reporting 2 cases. Yet, these numbers do not reflect those who have not been tested or those who are asymptomatic (a person producing or showing no symptoms).
Testing has found COVID-19 cases in Alabamians as young as 2 years and as old as 97, state health officer Scott Harris said Monday. The median age of known COVID-19 patients in Alabama then was 44, Harris said, though he cautioned that the sample size was small.
Governor Ivey said this morning in a press conference detailing the new measures her office is mandating until April 17:
“Folks, this is serious and this is real,” Ivey said. “We must be serious about eliminating the spread of this deadly virus.”
Watch Governor’s Press Conference here:
This is what I relayed to our leadership after consulting with deacons this morning after the press conference:
“To our church leadership…You are my core and thank you for serving with me at a time such as this…
With Gov. Ivey’s decision this morning to make changes to her orders from two weeks ago, we are faced again with a difficult decision. Her order which applies to us involves a decrease of gatherings from 25 or more, to 10 or more prohibited. This order is effective tomorrow at 5 pm until April 17 at 5 pm.
WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY ON CAMPUS EVENTS/SERVICES AT ROCKFORD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
We will make adjustments before April 17 and share those with the church family, should we be able to gather together by then.
Please pray for healing, answers, health, wisdom and with an anticipation of a great reunion of the church in the church meeting house…soon.
I pray for you daily. We are continuing to conduct live worship on Sunday morning, Bible Study on Saturday, Wednesday prayer, and PSA’s on Facebook, website and will begin using YouTube as well. Sunday evening at 6, will premiere a time with the ONLINE Campus with worship and Word.
I encourage you help us in calling, texting, email, and notes (the old fashioned way) to members as we continue to stay connected. I will let you know if we receive ministry opportunities.
God bless you and may He heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds in a time such as this.”
This leaves us in a “holding pattern” as we “pause” activities within the facilities of Rockford Church. Yet, we are still meeting and worshiping and studying and praying together. Yes, it is a different norm, but it is still the way we are doing ministry here. It is the best we can do at the moment. As has been said, “this is fluid.” It could change at any time and we will make adjustments as we do the right things, the safe things erring on caution.
Let me assure you, there is no fear…no none at all. We do not and will not operate in fear, for we have nothing to fear; we have put our faith and trust in God who calls us to use basic common sense in this moment of time, giving us wisdom and direction so we might help in stemming the tide-flattening the curve. Since we are in this together, we do our part and trust others will as well.
While we will continue ONLINE Campus services and activities, we anticipate the moment we will all gather together again at the meeting house. Until then, pray as we focus on God answering the prayers which I have listed in the communication with our leadership:
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Healing
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Answers
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Health
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Wisdom
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Anticipation of a great reunion of the church in the church meeting house…soon
We will gather together again…soon! We have discussed and will prepare for Drive-In Church as some point after April 17, unless we are advised differently. Some of you may be wondering: what will we do Easter? We will have our LIVE ONLINE Campus Celebration and we will celebrate the Risen Lord. We will worship together as a FAMILY, though the virtual means; yet, we will celebrate!
By the way, we have a piece of equipment which is somewhere in transit to the church door-donated by someone who cares for us as a family-which will aid those living close to the church to hear the live services from the sanctuary. This will also assist us in the Drive-In Church setting, as well as other venues we may plan in the coming days.
While we are in this difficult time, you are aware we are continuing to pay the bills, satisfy our obligations and keep things moving along for the church. Thank you for remembering the church with your gifts, especially at this juncture and know we are making sure every possible avenue is being used to keep expenses at the minimum. The finance team is discussing online giving, but until then, please know that you may:
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Mail a check to: Rockford Baptist Church | 9575 US Highway 231 | Rockford, Alabama 35136
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Call the church office at 256-377-4900 and arrange for someone to pick your gifts up
Even in the midst of the chaos of the moment, God is raising up Rockford Church to serve Him in “such a time as this.” Even in this difficulty He is reigning and ruling over our hearts and lives. As I close, my wonderful wife shared with me your favorite verse, which speaks to us and I pray you will allow it to wash over your soul, as it has mine:
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion…” Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
I pray for you. May God bless you all.
In His Steps. Pastor Fuller