Dear church,
One day this will all be over and I look forward to two things. First, I’m giving everyone a huge hug. Second, we will have a church wide crawfish boil on our first Wednesday night back together! (Whenever that might be)
Until then, here are some important updates:
1. Under current guidelines, we are no longer able to have in person worship gatherings until Easter Sunday. However, Bro. Jim and I will be broadcasting a full worship service live every Sunday morning at 10 am. Watch live on Facebook at 10 am or catch the recorded service on YouTube which will post as soon as the live service ends (around 11 am—just search FBC Slidell on YouTube).
2.For now, our offices will remain fully open with one minor change. We will close at 4 pm instead of 5 pm and close at noon on Fridays. Should the situation develop or regulations require, we have steps in place to handle whatever may come. We will update you if there are any changes.
3.FBCS/CDC will be open on Tuesdays from 8-2 for those who need questions answered or help.
4.Ministry—This particular event serves a unique challenge in which we are trying to be creative but careful and neither fearful nor foolish. The staff will be systematically working through our contact lists daily to check on and pray for you all. Expect a phone call from someone on staff in the coming weeks as we work through the list. We will continue to shop for seniors and provide food through the pantry by appointment only (985-290-1359). Preschoolers were mailed (snail mail) a package of material today that parents can work with them. Parents of children be sure to check the His Kids page for creative material Melanie is providing. Parents of teens, Chase is working on creative ways to stay connected and is sending out some updates.
Sometimes the most difficult aspect of a crisis is not being able to see the end or to put it colloquially: to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let me remind you of the ultimate glorious end for those in Christ…
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
I can’t wait till that day! Till then, I long for the day we can reunite!
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Casey R. Stark
