Sunday, September 20, 2020
10:30 AM Livestreaming from the Sanctuary
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Our Sunday Morning
Worship Plan Continues
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As Virginia has now entered Phase 3 of re-openings, our basic plans for in-house worship continue. These plans enable us to partner with the larger community to slow the spread of the virus, and to keep our St. Giles folks safe.
Livestream will continue! So whether you are in the church house or at home, you may continue to join us.
Here’s what we’re doing:
- We will have a single service at 10:30 in the sanctuary, and we will continue livestreaming worship.
- We will ask anyone with Covid-19 symptoms or recent exposure not to come.
- We will have children will sit with their families.
- We will sit only in every other pew, individually or by family.
- We will wear masks. (We have some masks for those without their own.)
- We will visit outside after worship, with safe distancing.
- We will celebrate communion with various protections in place.
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Josh Launches His Pastoral Ministry Here Today |
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Josh Modrzynski, our new Co-Pastor, launches his pastoral ministry today. He’s busy settling in his office, connecting with staff, and doing practical things like getting his computer linked into our networks.
Josh, Rebecca, Addie, and Patrick moved into their new home on Sunday night – literally, as the mover arrived late! They are still settling in there, too. Thanks to the many who helped prepare the way with food, house prep, etc.
Josh will partner with Keith and the worship leaders this Sunday, and will preach here for the first time! Please be in prayer for Josh and the whole family as they settle into their new places.
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A Weather Window for Outside Meetings: Meeting Josh and More! |
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It looks like we’ll be relying on Zoom and live stream gatherings for a while yet. But some in person gatherings are more promising now that we have fall weather coming. From the beginning of October to the middle of November the weather here can be pretty favorable for outside gatherings.
So Keith is putting together as many Life Groups as we have back yard hosts and ready participants, to meet roughly on that seven week schedule. The hope is that the groups can engage as a Life Group for six weeks, and that one of the weeks will be dedicated to getting to know Josh as he makes his rounds to the groups getting to know St. Giles folks.
Here’s a sketch of how this might work, though particular Life Groups can shape the plan as they would like:
Where: Any place where there is a big enough space to gather a dozen or so St. Giles folks. It could be a back yard, or some place you know of where participants can come with their lawn chairs, and make a circle – distanced enough to be safe, but close enough to hear each other. A dozen, plus or minus, should work.
When: From October 4 to November 15. The day and time depends on you, the host, and who can come. Groups with working folks will obviously need to meet on the weekend or in the evenings.
What: Here’s what happens in a Life Group – fellowship, study with discussion, and prayer. Three possibilities are being encouraged for the study, or you may pick your own:
- Marinate – this is the weekly reflection guide built on the scripture and message from the worship service.
- Be the Bridge – this is a book that will open eyes, stretch perspectives, and ready hearts for next steps in racial reconciliation. The demonstrations in Richmond have subsided for now, but the need for advance in biblical understandings of reconciliation has not. These groups will venture to discuss what we have often avoided, with the hope of making our fellowship all the more adept at ministering and embodying racial reconciliation.
- A Workshop in Prophetic Gifting – Keith will provide the teaching each week for those who would like to take Paul up on his challenge “to earnestly pursue the higher gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” All believers have the Holy Spirit stirring within, the Spirit who gives us ability to hear God’s word for the moment, and to speak that word into a ministry situation. It is a spiritual gift that can be well sought and developed through teaching, discussion, and a safe place to try our wings.
How: These groups will be formed in all sorts of ways – someone saying “I’d like to be in a group studying such and such,” or someone saying “I need a group that meets during the day,” or another saying, “I have a good backyard and can host.” Keith will seek to get groups going in every possible way, both in person and in Zoom groups. So jump in anywhere, and send him a note or give him a call. We hope to have the groups put together by the end of September.
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Beloved Pastor, Louis Skidmore, Passes Away |
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Those who were here at St. Giles before 1991 well remember “Skid,” the much beloved Pastor here, and his wife, Nancy. After his retirement here, they moved to Natural Bridge. Nancy died a few years ago, and Skid died this past week.
Please be in prayer for their son, Alex, and the whole family. Here is the link to his obituary.
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Opportunity to Join In 40 Day Prayer Vigil for Life |
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40 Days for Life is internationally coordinated campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. Their website is www.40DaysforLife.com. This year, the 40 Days are September 23 – November 1. Those who consider joining in can see how this works at: https://www.40daysforlife.com/about-overview.aspx
As part of this year’s 40 Days, Dr. Haywood Robinson, a former abortion provider, who came to know the Lord and left that practice behind, will be speaking at Stony Point Church on Sunday October 4th at 4:00 p.m. If you would like to attend his presentation, you must secure a seat by writing Ann Niermeyer by October 1: atniermeyer@aol.com. |
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Pre-Service Prayer Zoom Meeting |
You can join John and Jane Harler in a Zoom prayer meeting every Sunday before the service at 9:45 AM. The Zoom meeting link will be the same as that for the 9 AM Sunday school. If you are not currently attending Sunday school and wish to attend the Zoom prayer meeting, please email John Harler at j.harler@verizon.net.
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A new series on Isaiah, taught by James Anderson, continues this Sunday. Please email Ross Anderson at rossandbetty@yahoo.com if you'd like to join. |
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Tommy Nance will be teaching a new class on Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. The Zoom class will start at 7:00 p.m. Please email Tommy (twjrnance@gmail.com) if you'd like to join. |
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The Tuesday morning Women’s Bible Study resumed on September 15th at 9:30 am. Our study will be “Better - A Study of Hebrews” by Jen Wilkin. Books will be available for $13.00. We are meeting in Patterson, wearing our masks, and practicing our social distancing. No refreshments will be served, but you may bring your own.
We look forward to seeing everyone!
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Skip and Karen Thistle have been providing copies of Daily Bread for any who would use it for devotionals. But with most of us not coming into the church building these days, where we can pick one up, our distribution system has broken down. So Skip has volunteered to deliver a copy to any who request it. Thanks, Skip! If you’d like a copy, just call the church office, and we’ll get word to Skip. |
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Virtual Divorce Recovery Workshop |
On Sunday evenings at 5:30-8 PM from September 27- Nov 15, Richmond's First Baptist Church will be holding an online divorce recovery workshop with programs for adults, teens, and children.
This program offers a place of encouragement, support, learning,and growth during a time of loss in your relationship. Register online at www.fbcrichmond.org/drw or call 804-358-5458 ext 118. |
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Make Creative Studio thanks
you all for your generous donations! You have been so generous that our bins of recycled material are overflowing. For
now we are taking a pause on recycled donations. As soon as
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TSM's September Seminar on Discernment |
In this day and age, discernment is a very valuable commodity! How do you know if what you hear is the truth? How can you tell if what you read is valid? Are we hearing fact, personal belief, wishful thinking or what lines up with our Creator? Come and explore the gift of discernment and spiritual approaches/exercises that will help develop your skills. Learn about this gift, how to use it and avoid its pitfalls. Suggested reading: Jim Goll's "The Discerner" and Francis Frangipane's "Spiritual Discernment and the Mind of Christ."
Seminar Information: Saturday, September 26, 2020 9:00 a.m. to noon
Zoom Session. Registration required by Thursday, September 24.
Instructor: Elizabeth Higgins (paxbtu@verizon.net)
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Livestreaming Bible Study and Worship
One of our newer ministries is livestreaming our worship services and some of our classes. If you’d like to check it out, use this link to our YouTube channel. We’re doing it simply - no fancy sound or cameras - but it works to bring you the basics. If you don’t click on during the actual live stream hours, Sundays at 9:30 or 11:00, know that the videos are saved on our YouTube channel page, along with Pastor Keith’s video blogs. Find us at: http://bit.ly/StGilesYouTube
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