ABINGDON BAPTIST CHURCH

UPDATE:

March 21, 12:00PM


The church office will be open Monday through Thursday 9:00 - 5:00 and Friday  9:00-12:00. Trina will be in the office if you need to drop something off. Our pastors will be in and out of the office. Voicemail messages (276-628-8126) for our pastors will be immediately forwarded to their cell phones. Please refrain from stopping by the office to visit. We all must do our part to reduce the spread of the virus. Give us a call. We enjoy talking with you.



UPDATE:

March 17, 10:00AM


All Scheduled services and activities at the church are cancelled until further notice due to required coronavirus precautions. The church office will not be keeping regular hours. Our staff is telecommuting. Voicemail messages (276-628-8126) for our pastors will be immediately forwarded to their cell phones.



UPDATE:

March 13, 10:00PM


After further consideration and consultation with expert resources, it is the determination of our Abingdon Baptist Church leadership team that we take the following additional actions in support of mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on our church and community:


  • Sunday school is cancelled for this Sunday, March 15.
  • Sunday morning worship for March 15 will be available by live-streaming on the church's Facebook page (@abingdonbaptistchurch) beginning at 11am. If you would like to attend in person, you are welcome. However, we recommend that senior adults and those with vulnerable health conditions stay home and participate via live-streaming. You may give your offering via the church website or mail.
  • The trustee election scheduled to take place after worship this Sunday will be postponed to a later date. More information on the rescheduled date will be forthcoming.
  • Sunday Table and Student Ministry activities for Sunday evening March 15 are cancelled.
  • Our Wednesday meal and all activities are cancelled for March 18 and 25.



March 13


Church family, 


By this time, you have most likely received much communication concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In this communication, we want to share ways to mitigate its impact on both you and our community of faith. Below are some measures we can take together to maintain good health and safety for us all during this uncertain time. 


Things you can do to maintain your good health and that of others: 

  • Do not panic. Remember, God is sovereign and is with us in all the chaos and illnesses that life brings our way. 
  • Pray for those with the virus, health care workers treating them, and families whose loved ones have died. 
  • Stay home when you are sick except to receive medical care. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash as long as it takes to sing the “Birthday Song” twice. 
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and immediately throw the used tissue in the trash. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using a solution containing at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Masks are not recommended for use except by those who have the virus. 
  • Contact neighbors and friends who may not have cell phones or email to receive communications, such as this one, from the church. Make sure they are okay and understand what is going on in our community. 
  • If you are at risk (e.g., compromised immune system, older adult), consider staying home from services and activities. Do as you feel led by the Lord with consideration for your health. Participate prudently. 


Things your church is doing to maintain good health for us all: 

  • We have increased the sanitization of commonly touched surfaces (e.g., countertops, doorknobs). 
  • We will place hand sanitizer and tissues around the church for your use when in the building. 
  • Your church staff and deacons are actively monitoring the situation and looking at recommendations from government and health organizations for necessary changes to our church gatherings and activities. 
  • We will keep you informed via the communication chain through which you received this message concerning updates and changes to our plans. 
  • Please call the church office or Pastor Bill, if you have questions or need more information. 


Impacts to our community gatherings: 

  • At this time, we will continue to hold our Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday night services for those able to attend. 
  • We are working to live-stream our Sunday morning worship service via the Internet. More information on this option for participating in worship will be coming soon via this communication channel. 
  • We will upload the Sunday morning sermon soundtrack to the church website on Sunday afternoon. 
  • Our Wednesday programming for children will follow the Washington County school system schedule. If school is out, our programs will not meet, and there will be no Wednesday evening meal. 
  • When welcoming others at church, please avoid hand contact and hugs. Even fist bumps and elbow bumps are out for now. 
  • We will not pass offering plates, but plates will be placed by the exits. Please place your tithes and offerings in these plates. 
  • Remember that you can give your tithes and offerings online at www.abingdonbaptist.org/giving/. You can also mail your check via the postal service. Remember that your church will continue to have operating expenses, even if services are curtailed or cancelled. 
  • At this time, the Wednesday Lenten gatherings of the Main Street Churches are cancelled for at least the next two weeks (i.e., 3/18, 3/25). 


With love and faith in God to see us through this crisis, 


Your Abingdon Baptist Church staff and deacon board