From The Pastor’s Desk 12/2/21

 

By the grace of God, we have made it into the last month of 2021.  We must always be mindful that many began this year with us who are not alive on this day.  When we reflect on this year and our entire lives, we would not be alive “if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side.”  Since the Lord is on our side, let’s praise Him immensely!  As we live one day at a time, let’s be forever mindful that “our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Building Fund Pledges:  Our architect informed me this week that the City of Richmond is close to granting us our building permit.  In case you are unaware, we desire to construct a multimillion-dollar Family Life Center, adjacent to our current sanctuary at the North Campus, which will consist of a gymnasium, game room (for the youth), and weight room.  Many of us made a pledge that we fulfilled, but some have not.  I encourage everyone (if you have not already done so) to participate financially as soon as possible in this building project by choosing one of the following tiers:

1)  $10,000.00 or more
2)  $5,000.00 to $999.00
3)  $1,000.00 to $4,999.00
4)  $500.00 to $999.00
5)  Below $500.00

Every Dollar Counts:  We need to close our year better than what we are averaging.  From now to the end of the year, each of us is needed to give generously in our Tithes and Offerings because we are on course currently to fall far from our yearly average.  Let’s demonstrate our love for God and St. John (at least for the remainder of this year) by being generous with your Tithes and Offerings.  Moreover, if you desire to reap a harvest, allow God to lead you to sow a special Seed Offering.  Giving is God’s way for us to receive more, for He promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings leaving us with no room to store them (Mal 3:10).  We currently give in person during Sunday Morning Worship Celebrations, by mailing or dropping off our Tithes and Offerings at our Administration Building or South Campus, or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org).

A New Way To Grow:  For 34 years, I have taught, as a Pastor, ways for a church to grow in person, but a new way to grow is now necessary due to the existing pandemic.  In order to be safe, St. John is currently utilizing 30-40% of our seating capacity (social distancing) in the sanctuaries of our North Campus and South Campus.  Consequently, we are now seeking ways to build our Virtual Audience through live streaming (YouTube and Facebook/Meta) and podcasts.  I encourage everyone to subscribe to our YouTube platform and encourage others (St. John parishioners and friends) to subscribe also. The larger our YouTube subscription the greater benefits we can receive.

Safety Protocol:  We currently have two Worship Celebrations (each is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) every Sunday:  9 a.m. at the North Campus and 11 a.m. at the South Campus.  We encourage everyone, especially people who are physically disabled, to arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand to be seated safely and comfortably.  Temperatures are checked, hand sanitizing is urged, social distancing is applied regarding where people shall sit and walk, wearing a mask is still mandatory (even though exceptions are now made in our county which began November 1st), utilization of restrooms is restricted to 2-4 people at a time (depending on the size of the restroom), and congregating before and after Services is prohibited.

Weekly Activities:  I strongly encourage everyone to participate in the St. John activities that benefit you.  Regarding each of the following activities, visit our website at sjmbc.org if you need more information.  What’s forthcoming?

Sundays: 

• • Worship Celebrations at 9:00 a.m. (North Campus) and 11:00 a.m. (South Campus)
  • Online Church School at 2:00 p.m.
  • Online J.A.M. (Sessions For Children) at 4:00 p.m. (2nd and 4th Sundays).
  • Online Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. (1^st Sundays).  To participate, each believer will need bread or a cracker and grape juice (or something similar).

Mondays:

• • Preparation For Grocery Giveaway at 10:00 a.m. (South Campus)
  • Online Women Missionary Ministry (General Mission) at 6:00 p.m. (4th Mondays)

Tuesdays:

• • Grocery Giveaway at 12:00 p.m. (North Campus and South Campus)
  • Online Church Leadership Council at 6:30 p.m. (Tuesdays before 3rd Sundays)

Wednesdays: 

• • Online Prayer at 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  • Online Church School at 7:00 p.m.

We praise God for blessing us to witness the last month of the year, and we must acknowledge that we would not have survived “if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side” (Ps. 124:1-8).

May God bless and sustain each of us.

Your Servant In Christ,

 

Dr. Kevin B. Hall, Pastor