CHURCH NEWS April 11, 2020

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Submitted

NOTE: The American Legion's annual Easter Egg Hunt at Forest Park has been canceled due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Annunciation Catholic Church

St Vincent de Paul food pantry remains open every Tuesday 12-2pm with drive thru service on Church Street. Please remain in your cars and volunteers will load your food. Thank you!

The church is no longer open from sun up til sun down

*No Sunday Masses

*No Adoration or Stations

Until further notice

Statement of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on the Suspension of Public Celebration of Mass and the Temporary Closure of the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center and Agencies (03/17/20):

As the health and safety conditions in our archdiocesan community have shifted, the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a moment for Catholics and all people of goodwill to offer special prayers of intercession for the healing of those infected, for the protection of the elderly and infirm who are at greatest risk, for the prevention of the disease’s spread, and for the courage and strength of care providers who minister to the sick, their families and those most in need. With deep trust in the Lord and with a close attentiveness to the guidance given by experts in the fields of health and safety, the following decisions have been made about our operations and the liturgical life of those within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Based on the recommendations from health officials concerning the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to stem the spread of the virus, the five Catholic bishops of Indiana have suspended effective March 18 and until further notice all public Sunday and weekday Masses throughout the Province of Indianapolis, which is comprised of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Dioceses of Gary, Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, and Lafayette.

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, the Archbishop of Indianapolis, has also suspended all other liturgical services and gatherings of the faithful effective Wednesday, March 18 and until further notice. Of course, the archbishop’s dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass from March 13 continues until further notice.

First Baptist Church

This coming Sunday April 11, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of our savior. The Easter Sunday worship service will be available for viewing on the church website, http://www.brazilbaptistchurch.net under the Worship tab, as well as on the church Facebook page. The pastor’s message entitled “I Have Seen the Lord” will be based on John 20:1-18.

Hopefully you have been able to view the pastor’s devotionals during this holy week on the church’s website under the Media tab or on Facebook. They conclude today, but the whole week is available, along with past sermons. That is one of the advantages of the Internet.

Thank you to those who prepared and delivered “resurrection eggs” to many of the children in our church. In the absence of our usual egg hunt that was a creative way to bring them some sense of normalcy and know they are each remembered, valued, and loved.

In the absence of our face-to-face fellowship, please take time to call, text, email or drop an old-fashioned note to others in our church family. The deacons will continue weekly contacts with every family in the church. Our interim pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mark W. Hetrick, is as close as a phone call or text to talk or pray with you. And our “Prayer Chain” is still up and running.

First Baptist Church is located at 413 South Walnut Street. The church phone number is (812) 448-8112. Our interim pastor is the Rev. Dr. Mark W. Hetrick. His cell is (317) 697-2485 and email is revdocmark@sbcglobal.net. Follow us on Facebook or the church website at www.brazilbaptistchurch.net.

Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church

945 E. Co. Rd. 1200 N, Brazil.

Pastor Hayden Lewis will be conducting the Sunday morning service on the Benwood Mt. Lebanon Facebook page at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, 4/12. Please join us during this time of Social Distancing to hear the Word of God.

Remember…all Church functions have been cancelled until further notice. I will update you in next week’s column.

Catherine McLin

Berea Christian Church

Please join us, live…online…for Easter this Sunday. If you are a follower of Jesus I want to challenge you today. We are always challenged this time of year to invite others to church on Easter. Friends, neighbors, coworkers even other members of our family. This year it is easier than ever to invite people to join you for church on Sunday! Please don’t misunderstand. The circumstances we are in are not meant to replace our gathering together as the Body of Christ in person but the circumstances also do not limit the power of the Holy Spirit to bring lost souls to Christ! So we must use this moment to glorify Him!

This year we are all without excuse. Pick one…we all have time, we will not have to get up and get ready, church will not interfere with our family gatherings or our food preparation. We won’t be uncomfortable in an unfamiliar building with unfamiliar people. No one will be looking at us. Everyone will have the freedom to join us, as they are and hear the incredible and true story of Jesus! Who came to this Earth, born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, healed the sick, taught the masses, loved and forgave. Then submitted Himself to His creation and willingly suffered and died and rose on the third day so that you and I could come to Him and be forgiven of our sins, given a new life in Him and an opportunity to be adopted into His family and live with Him forever in Heaven!

That is the story that could be shared with all that you know this year!

It could be the 1st time in their life they have ever heard how much Jesus loves them and the lengths He went to for them. The opportunity God has given us this year to invite a few close friends or even 1,000’s of virtual friends is incredible! He can and will use this moment. He can and will use you, if you are willing.

We pray that your church has been an encouragement to you and we pray that you will invite as many as you can to your Easter services this year.

If you do not have a church home or your church is not able to host online services, then we pray that you might consider joining us at Berea until God allows all of our physical doors to open up once again!

We also want to let you know that on our website we have some great lessons for our kids! Easy to access, easy to teach and fun for the family.

We can’t wait to see you online this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

You can view the service on our website

https://bccbrazil.org

Or you can stream it on your smart tv or device on YouTube just search for

Berea Christian Church

Connect with us online

https://bccbrazil.org

Berea Christian Church on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bccbrazil/

Download or stream messages anytime with our Escape Urself Podcast

http://www.podcastgarden.com/podcast/escapeurself