March 15 was the last Sunday that our Sunday School classes met at Sand Ridge. Missing 5 months of Sunday School is disconcerting. That's 5 months of Bible study, fellowship, and prayer together. The Bible is clear that those are three vital functions of the church and are vital components of spiritual health. I'm not sure when we can completely restart our Sunday School classes. In the meantime, I ask each of you to stay in touch with one another. Teachers, call, text, message, or Zoom with your class. Class members can encourage one another, call your class members, let them know you are praying for them. And all of us can spend time daily in the Scripture and in prayer.
COVID-19 has put great stress on every area of church ministry. We cannot plan large community events We cannot visit in most hospitals. We cannot visit in nursing homes. We cannot get into homes for evangelistic visitation. We cannot take groups on mission trips. We cannot go to camps and conferences. We cannot do many things.
Let's focus, however, on what we can do. We can pray for one another. We can share the gospel with our friends and families. We can meet for worship and prayer meeting. We can have our children in a Bible study class. We can encourage one another. We can be good stewards and financially support the work of Christ through His church. We can contact a widow or widower and encourage them during this period of solitude. We can support our missionaries through prayer and faithful giving. There is much we can do!!
Financially, the church is weathering the COVID-19 interruptions well. Here are a few facts:
(1) We are currently receiving 150% of our Building Fund Goal each week. The weekly goal is $3,046.15 and average weekly gifts are $4,572.41.
(2) Our total budget needs each week are $14,443.05 for the General Budget and $3,046.15 for the Building Fund. Currently we are receiving an average of $13,443.73 for the General Budget (93%) and $4,572.41 for the Building Fund (150%).
(3) Total Gifts for budgeted items (General budget & Building Fund) average $18,016.14.
(4) The 2020 Budget has the following components:
Operating Budget $592,639.00 ($11,396.90 per week)
Debt Service/Building Fund $158,400.00 ($3,046.15 per week)
TOTAL BUDGET $751,039.00 (14,443.05 per week)
Thank you for your faithfulness to Kingdom ministries.
I hope to see all who not facing a medical challenge, other health concern, etc. in worship this week at 10:15. Let's not fall into the habit of forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Take care of your health, but be consistent in your decisions. Bad habits form quickly. If you need to worship online, it's available at Facebook Live and the YouTube Channel.
In the Grip of His Grace,
Dr. Marty