March 25, 2020

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Hey MBC family, today at 8:00 AM the entire state of Wisconsin went into what Governor Evers called “Safer at Home.” This means that for all non-essential businesses we are supposed to stay home and minimize contact with other people to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

 

While many do not like this decision, we need to do everything we can to not only obey this edict but to be “self-aware” by practicing the basics; like washing our hands, practicing social distancing, not coughing or sneezing on others & sanitizing hard surfaces on a regular basis. 

 

The question of whether or not you are essential, or nonessential can make us all feel like we’re less valuable than other people.

 

First let me say that even though most of us may find ourselves in the category of nonessential from a Government standpoint, you are never considered nonessential from God’s standpoint, or for that matter, from MBC’s standpoint. 

 

The bible says in Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

This bible passage tells me that we are all unique and valued by God. And you are all unique and valued by us as a church. 

 

I know this hit all of us very hard and we are all dealing with unthinkable changes & challenges to life as we knew it. 

 

Just keep in mind this is temporary. We will get through this. It may take some time, but if everyone does their part and does what our local and national governments have requested, we will get through this.

 

I want you to know that I am in communication with the Governor’s office. I have been on conference calls with the Lt Governor and will be on another call tomorrow talking about how these decisions effect our lives and the church.

 

We are also compiling a list of organizations for emergency relief resources to help you during this crisis to our website and Facebook page. Please check this list out to see if there is anything available for you and your situation (that you may not be aware of). We will continue to add to that list as resources become available.

 

Here’s what going on at MBC and how you can help:

 

In case you haven’t heard, you can catch our Sunday morning services livestream (or other virtual platforms) at 10:00 AM every week. Please bear with us if you have experienced a drop in signal or its been pixelated. We are doing everything we can to change that. So many churches have jumped on the livestream platform over the past week that it has caused the system to get overloaded at 10:00 AM on Sundays. We think we have found a work-around so check out the service this week. 

 

This past week, we have created some additional pages on our website for our kids and youth. We want to help you as parents have the resources you need to help kids of all ages have the spiritual insight for dealing with this crisis on both a relational and emotional level. 

 

Also, the teaching team has been creating Daily 3-minute devotionals videos that have been uploaded to our website and our Facebook page. If you haven’t watched these videos, I would encourage you to do that. 

 

As I mentioned last week, we are joining the greater church community to pray together at 7:00 PM. It’s something that churches are doing all over the world. It’s called COVID-19 Prayer. Here’s how it works: Each day wherever you are stop and pray at 7:00 PM. Set your phone alarms so you don’t forget to pray.

 

Pray for our medical people, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants, pharmacists, EMTS, Physical therapists and all those who serve the sick who cannot by their calling and profession flee the viral contagion, but like the firefighters and police during the 911 disasters are called to stay and face personal danger for the good of others.

 

Pray asking the Lord to bring a revival that will sweep the nation and pray for the cure and end of this Pandemic. Pray also for the health care personnel and civil leaders who are serving our communities seeking to keep us safe and well.

 

Creating Community

 

We are continuing to create more and more virtual communities through Zoom and other virtual platforms (for all ages). If you get invited into a group, please respond and spend a few minutes staying connected with your MBC family. If you are interested in hosting a group, please let Lance Ratze know at lanceratze@gmail.com. Or Matt Clooten at mjclooten@me.com.

 

I want to encourage you to reach out to friends in the church. Who do you normally sit by, who do you miss? Reach out and call them and perhaps share a word of encouragement & say a prayer for them. 

 

There are great opportunities for us as believers to love people and be empathetic to the anxieties they are facing. 

 

Also PLEASE continue to be faithful in your tithes and offerings. You can click https://www.mbcmadison.com/giving/giving.php  to do that safely online. If you are not comfortable with giving online, you can always mail in your giving to PO Box MBC 45702 Madison 53744. The church has always been an armory to accumulate resources for those that are hurting in times like these. Thank you to those that have done this. You are helping to create strength for our church to function during this difficult time.

 

Also, if you are in a financial position to give a special gift that we can use to help others less fortunate, that would be helpful. 

 

We are creating an emergency relief fund so we can help those in need and be there for those most vulnerable. With your help we can accomplish that. We are delivering food to families of MBC and making financial donations to food pantries around the area. 

 

When you give over & above your regular tithes… Please designate those gifts ER (Emergency Relief). And we will set those gifts aside to be used for food and shelter as well as health issues and supplies. 

 

This is a time to be generous to others around us.

 

You heard me say on Sunday… “If you need something, say something.” We want to be here for you. We are all in this together!

 

If you are hurting and need some basic assistance with food or shelter, please let me know. We don’t want you hurting and feeling alone.

 

Our leadership is doing everything we can to help lead you though this difficult time of uncertainty. But I know one thing for sure… God is with us & He will not leave us nor forsake us. 

 

We are praying for safety and protection for all of those that call MBC home. Please read Psalm 91 and pray that for you and your family as well as our city, state and nation. 

 

We love you!!

 

Pastor Glenn