Well, here is the big news. We are resuming Sunday church on June 7. Isn’t it interesting … We prayed that we could begin having Sunday church again on June 7, and our Lord answered that prayer. Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow.
I sent in a previous email the document that shows we are now legally exempt and free from the stay-at-home order and its regulations. Here is that information again.
4. Exemptions. (This is found on page eight of the document.)
a. Free exercise of religion. This Executive Order does not limit the free exercise of religion. To protect the health and safety of faith leaders, staff, congregants and visitors, religious organizations and houses of worship are encouraged to consult and follow the recommended practices and guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health.3As set forth in the IDPH guidelines, the safest practices for religious organizations at this time are to provide services online, in a drive-in format, or outdoors(and consistent with social distancing requirements and guidance regarding wearing face coverings), and to limit indoor services to10 people. Religious organizations are encouraged to take steps to ensure social distancing, the use of face coverings, and implementation of other public health measures.
This coming Sunday, June 7, we resume Sunday church after being away for over two months.
We will have one service at 10 am.
We encourage everyone to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
We have hand sanitizer available and encourage thorough hand washing.
We will have extra face coverings available.
At our board meeting on Monday, June 8, we will discuss when to resume the Sunday evening service and communion.
I, Pastor Dave, will continue to record the service and will do my best to upload to our YouTube channel and burn DVDs as soon as I can, but I will not have these resources ready for Sunday morning as I have been doing.
Please know that if you do not feel comfortable in coming to church at this time that we—your brothers and sisters in Christ—understand, and more importantly, our Lord understands. Each of us needs to bring this before the Lord in prayer and let him lead. No one needs to feel guilty about staying home if this is what God has put on your heart. These are wild and crazy times and our Lord knows who and what we are.
(Psalm 103:11–14 ESV) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Continue to pray for each other, our president, state and national legislatures, our governor, the many hurting people in our world, unspoken, etc.
Men’s study Monday @ 1 pm. We will be in chapter five on prayer. Please bring the supplemental material on prayer.
Board meeting June 8 @ 9 am.
Ladies Fellowship June 18 @ 10 am.
Prayer meeting every Wednesday @ 6 pm.
Father’s Day breakfast has been canceled. (I think?)
According to EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-38 (COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 36) Restoring Illinois—Protecting Our Communities, article 4 on page 8, churches are now exempt from the stay-at-home orders. There wasn’t time to visit with our board members since this was issued only yesterday afternoon, but I will be visiting with them soon. Hopefully we will have Sunday church as we had been praying beginning on June 7. Please keep praying and have patience as it has been difficult sorting through all the information and trying to make the best decision before the Lord. I think that all our guys in leadership will agree that we don’t want anyone to attend church until you feel you are ready to do so.
We plan to continue recording the service and upload to our YouTube channel and burn to DVD indefinitely. We will now record the service on Sunday if we return to a regular service. If this happens, we will get the video to those who are yet unable to attend as soon as possible.
I hope to have more/better information within the next day or so after our talking to our guys on the board.
________________________________________________
May 31, 2020 / Order of Service
Welcome, Announcements & Prayer
Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 (ON BACK)
The Lord’s My Shepherd — 694
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us — 688
Message: Shepherding the Flock of God — 1 Peter 5:1-4
O Jesus, I Have Promised — 676 (READ VERSE 3)
Closing Prayer
________________________________________________
The Lord’s My Shepherd—694
Verse 1: The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want, He makes me down to lie, In pastures green He leadeth me, The quiet waters by.
Verse 2: My soul He doth restore again, And me to walk doth make, Within the paths of righteousness,E’en for His own name’s sake.
Verse 3: Yea though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill, For Thou art with me and Thy rod, And staff me comfort still.
Verse 4: My table Thou hast furnished, In presence of my foes, My head Thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows.
Verse 5: Goodness and mercy all my life, Shall surely follow me, And in God’s house for evermore, My dwelling place shall be.
CCLI Song # 7007823 / CCLI License # 3210183
________________________________________________
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us—688
Verse 1: Savior like a shepherd lead us, Much we need thy tender care, In thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use thy folds prepare, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us thine we are, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us thine we are.
Verse 2: We are thine do thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way, Keep thy flock from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Hear O hear us when we pray, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Hear O hear us when we pray.
Verse 3: Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be, Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse and pow’r to free, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to thee, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to thee.
Verse 4: Early let us seek thy favor, Early let us do thy will, Blessed Lord and only Savior, With thy love our beings fill, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us love us still, Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us love us still.
CCLI Song # 24078 / CCLI License # 3210183
________________________________________________
O Jesus, I Have Promised—676
Verse 1: O Jesus I have promised, To serve Thee to the end, Be Thou forever near me, My Master and my friend, I shall not fear the battle, If Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway, If Thou wilt be my Guide.
Verse 2: O let me feel Thee near me, The world is ever near, I see the sights that dazzle, The tempting sounds I hear, My foes are ever near me, Around me and within, But Jesus draw Thou nearer, And shield my soul from sin.
READ TOGETHER VERSE THREE …
Verse 3: O let me hear Thee speaking, In accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, The murmurs of self will, O speak to reassure me, To hasten or control, O speak and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul.
Verse 4: O Jesus Thou hast promised, To all who follow Thee, That where Thou art in glory, There shall Thy servant be, And Jesus I have promised, To serve Thee to the end, O give me grace to follow, My Master and my friend.
CCLI Song # 3341270 / CCLI License # 3210183
________________________________________________
(Psalm 23:title–6 ESV)
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
________________________________________________
There is one difficulty that arises when writing a book based on a familiar portion of the Scriptures. One disillusions or disenchants the reader with some of his former notions about the Psalm. Like much spiritual teaching the 23rd Psalm has had a certain amount of sentimental imagery wrapped around it with no sound basis in actual life. Some ideas advanced about it have, in fact, been almost ludicrous. [Excerpt From: W. Phillip Keller. “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-shepherd-looks-at-psalm-23/id1444691132]
________________________________________________
(John 10:27–30 ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.
4. Exemptions. (This is found on page eight of the document.) a. Free exercise of religion. This Executive Order does not limit the free exercise of religion. To protect the health and safety of faith leaders, staff, congregants and visitors, religious organizations and houses of worship are encouraged to consult and follow the recommended practices and guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health.3As set forth in the IDPH guidelines, the safest practices for religious organizations at this time are to provide services online, in a drive-in format, or outdoors(and consistent with social distancing requirements and guidance regarding wearing face coverings), and to limit indoor services to10 people. Religious organizations are encouraged to take steps to ensure social distancing, the use of face coverings, and implementation of other public health measures.
May you have a blessed and safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Faith Fellowship Church of Tennessee, Illinois Announcements for May 24, 2020
Let’s take a moment to honor our service men and women and thank them for their service to us and our country.
Pray for each other, our president, state and national legislatures, our governor, the many hurting people in our world, unspoken, etc.
As we resume services, please wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
We resumed prayer meeting. Time is 6 pm.
Resume our men’s study on Monday, June 1, at 1 pm. Yay!
We will continue to have our Friday church services @ 10 am during the time Pastor Dave records the Sunday message. We will be limited to ten people. Please let Pastor Dave or Kerry know if you would like to attend so that we can organize these services and stay compliant with our state guidelines.
Also a reminder for those who may not be comfortable yet coming inside for services that we have four wireless headsets/receivers with which you can listen to the service from your car. See Pastor Dave for more info.
Keep praying that beginning on June 7 we will be able to have church without the current limitations.
In June if the attendance restriction has not been raised, then we will continue with the Friday morning service and also have multiple services on Sunday morning probably following the same format/order of service. We will not have Sunday school during this time.
Our plan is to have one hour services with time in between for people to leave and for a quick cleaning. If you attend the first service, please leave in a timely manner after the end of the service.
Times for the Sunday services will probably be as follows: 9:30 – 10:30 am / 10:45 – 11:45 am
We plan to begin taking an offering when we meet in June; probably will have an offering plate or an offering box to reduce handling.
We are also considering ways to have communion more safely.
We will continue to post the video of the Sunday service on our YouTube channel and provide DVDs for those who are shut-in and for those who do not feel comfortable yet being in a group. Please let Pastor Dave know if you would like to receive the DVD.
We plan to take another offering in June for tornado victim relief once we resume services.
Our weekly bulletin is available online and in print. We will have copies available for those who attend the Friday service. We will post on the blog. And we will print to include with the DVDs and study sheets for those on “home delivery.” 🙂
May 24, 2020 / Order of Service
Welcome, Announcements & Prayer
Scripture Reading / See other side.
His Name Is Life — 117
His Name Is Wonderful — 118
Message: The Fiery Trial Test of Faith — 1 Peter 4:12-19
Glory to His Name — 493
Closing Prayer
His Name Is Life
His name is Master, Savior, Lion of Judah, Blessed Prince of Peace. Shepherd, Fortress, Rock of Salvation, Lamb of God is He. Son of David, King of the Ages, Eternal Life, Holy Lord of Glory, His name is Life.
________________________________________________
His Name Is Wonderful
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord. He is the mighty King, Master of ev’rything, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord. He’s the Great Shepherd, The rock of all ages, Almighty God is He. Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
CCLI Song # 1122230 / CCLI License # 3210183
________________________________________________
Glory to His Name
Verse 1: Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to His name.
Chorus: Glory to His name, Glory to His name, There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to His name.
Verse 2: I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within, There at the cross where He took me in, Glory to His name.
Verse 3: O precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have entered in, There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean, Glory to His name.
Verse 4: Come to this fountain so rich and sweet, Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet, Plunge in today and be made complete, Glory to His name.
_______________________________________
CCLI Song # 57667 / CCLI License # 3210183
The Will of God …
(1 Peter 2:15 ESV) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
(1 Peter 4:2 ESV) So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
(1 Peter 4:19 ESV) Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
(Mark 3:35 ESV) For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
(John 7:17 ESV) If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
(Romans 12:2 ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Colossians 4:12 ESV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(Hebrews 10:36–39 ESV) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
(1 John 2:17 ESV) And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Pray for each other, our president, state and national legislatures, our governor, the many hurting people in our world, unspoken, etc. Continue to pray for Janis Kamm and family and others in our fellowship who are hurting and afraid.
As we resume services, please wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
We resumed prayer meeting Wednesday, May 13. Time is 6 pm. Per the new guidelines we can have up to ten people.
Beginning this Friday (May 15) we will have church services @ 10 am during the time Pastor Dave records the Sunday message. We will be limited to ten people. Please let Pastor Dave or Kerry know if you would like to attend so that we can organize these services and stay compliant with our state guidelines.
Also a reminder for those who may not be comfortable yet coming inside for services that we have four wireless headsets/receivers with which you can listen to the service from your car. See Pastor Dave for more info.
Keep praying that beginning on June 7 we will be able to have church without the current limitations.
In June if the attendance restriction has not been raised, then we will continue with the Friday morning service and also have multiple services on Sunday morning probably following the same format/order of service. We will not have Sunday school during this time.
Our plan is to have one hour services with time in between for people to leave and for a quick cleaning. If you attend the first service, please leave in a timely manner after the end of the service.
Times for the Sunday services will probably be as follows: 9:30 – 10:30 am / 10:45 – 11:45 am
We plan to begin taking an offering when we meet in June; probably will have an offering plate or an offering box to reduce handling.
We are also considering ways to have communion more safely.
We will continue to post the video of the Sunday service on our YouTube channel and provide DVDs for those who are shut-in and for those who do not feel comfortable yet being in a group. Please let Pastor Dave know if you would like to receive the DVD.
We plan to take another offering in June for tornado victim relief once we resume services.
Beginning this week we will have the weekly bulletin in some form. We will have copies available for those who attend the Friday service. We will post on the blog. And we will print to include with the DVDs and study sheets for those on “home delivery.” 🙂
May 17, 2020 / Order of Service
Welcome, Announcements & Prayer
Soon and Very Soon — 757
Jesus Is Coming Soon (lyrics on sheet)
Message: Living for the Glory of God in the Time We Have Left — 1 Peter 4:7-11
To God Be the Glory — 56
Closing Prayer
Soon And Very Soon
Verse 1: Soon and very soon, We are going to see the King, Soon and very soon, We are going to see the King, Soon and very soon, We are going to see the King.
Chorus: Hallelujah hallelujah, We’re going to see the King
Verse 2: No more crying there, We are going to see the King, No more crying there, We are going to see the King, No more crying there, We are going to see the King.
Verse 3: No more dying there, We are going to see the King, No more dying there, We are going to see the King, No more dying there, We are going to see the King.
CCLI Song # 11249
________________________________________________
Jesus Is Coming Soon
Verse 1: Troublesome times are here, Filling men’s hearts with fear, Freedom we all hold dear, Now is at stake, Humbling your heart to God, Saves from the chast’ning rod, Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake.
Chorus: Jesus is coming soon, Morning or night or noon, Many will meet their doom, Trumpets will sound, All of the dead shall rise, Righteous meet in the skies, Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound.
Verse 2: Love of so many cold, Losing their home of gold, This in God’s Word is told, Evils abound, When these signs come to pass, Nearing the end at last, It will come very fast, Trumpets will sound.
Verse 3: Troubles will soon be o’er, Happy forevermore, When we meet on that shore, Free from all care, Rising up in the sky, Telling this world goodbye, Homeward we then will fly, Glory to share.
CCLI Song # 41680
________________________________________________
To God Be The Glory
Verse 1: To God be the glory great things He has done,So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Chorus: Praise the Lord praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice, O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory great things He has done.
Verse 2: O perfect redemption the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God, The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Verse 3: Great things He has taught us, Great things He has done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son, But purer and higher and greater will be, Our wonder our transport when Jesus we see.
