CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from January 28 at 2:00pm

ACTIVITES RESUMING NEXT WEEK:

  • Bible study class for all ages will be meeting on campus beginning this Sunday at 9:55am!  We are requiring anyone grade 6 & older to wear a mask while in class. Check the list in the attached bulletin for list of classes and new locations.
  • KidsCity Worship is back this Sunday! KidsCity worship for grades k-5 will be back during both worship hours at 8:45 & 11:00am. Reminder, KidsChoir is now part of a KidsCity Worship! Masks are encouraged but not required for children, masks are required for workers.
  • KidsCountry Preschool is back both worship hours & for Bible study beginning Sunday! Workers will wear masks.
  • Awana Kids Club will start back Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30pm for grades K-5 for children attending FBC St Charles on Sundays. Please register your child online, in the app or at the Info Center. We also need volunteers – please sign up in the app or here.
  • FTK Midweek service will resume Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30pm! Grades 6-12, meet at The Cube for worship, devotion & connection. Masks are required during FTK Midweek and Sunday Bible study at The Cube.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from November 12 at 4:00pm

As a church staff we have tried to navigate the COVID pandemic with care and protection for our church family. We love you and want to shepherd our church through this crisis well. 

The Saint Charles County Health Department has shared that COVID cases are up 66% in the last 14 days. The hospitals are overrun, and the holidays are upon us. This recent data caused us to reevaluate our present ministry activity. Thus, we have made the difficult decision to stop Sunday morning, in-person Bible study classes effective this Sunday. We feel we should be proactive for the safety of our church family. Our classes will move to meeting online or at a non-Sunday morning time in large, social distanced rooms as we did earlier this year. We will reevaluate this regularly, but for now we will keep this format through the holidays.

We will continue to have our Sunday morning worship services at 8:45am and 11am. Our Worship Center is large enough that people can remain safely socially distanced. Also, we will keep our masked section in the Worship Center. Please continue to social distance with no handshakes and hugs. We encourage you to wear a mask. If you are not feeling well, running a fever, lost taste or smell, or have cold-like symptoms we do ask that you would watch from home.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from October 15 at 12:00pm

We no longer have the mask required service in the gym. We now have a mask required section in the Worship Center, which is the drum side gallery. We have this section roped off with signs as reminders that all persons sitting in this section need to wear a mask for the whole entire service.

Due to Covid, we will not be having the Christmas Missions Post Office this year. In the past, you could drop off cards & pick up yours then donate your saved postage to missions. We don’t feel it would be safe this year.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from September 24 at 2:00pm

We will be welcoming Bible Study classes back to campus on Sunday, October 4 at 9:55am. This will be all of our preschool, children, student, & college classes. Our adult classes will have the option to return to campus or continue virtually. The bulletin has each adult class listed with the new room number or virtual class information.

KidsCountry Preschool and KidsCity Worship are back! Preschool and children’s ministries are back during both worship hours (8:45 & 11:00am) beginning October 4. This Sunday, September 27 we will have preschool and children’s worship at 11am as we practice our new policies.

Regathering Prayer Service – Saturday, October 3 at 4pm. Join us in the Worship Center to pray as a church before our Bible studies, preschool & children come back on campus on Sunday.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from August 6 at 8:00am

NEW THIS WEEK!! This Sunday, we are beginning a mask required Livestream service in the gym at 8:45am.Pastor Jerry will be in this service as we seek to minister to our church family. Please use the exterior door 2 gym entrance. Masks will be required as you enter and we ask you leave them on all during the service. We have the chairs social distanced and dedicated restrooms in the gym.  We will watch the service via Livestream on the big screen. 

WORSHIP CENTER Reminder of the procedures during this time: every other pew is taped off, no hugs or handshakes, we encourage you to wear a mask, the foyer is divided for one way traffic, we are having temperature checks for all staff and workers. Only the main door and senior adult door 7 are open for entry. If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature, are vulnerable to COVID, or have been around someone who has been exposed to COVID-please follow CDC recommendations, self-quarantine, and watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from July 15 at 12:00pm

We are so excited to welcome Tim Tieber in view of a call as our Student Pastor on Sunday, August 2.  Pastor Buddy will have short “get to know you” interviews with Tim at the end of the worship services on Sunday July 19 and 26. Tim will share his testimony during both services on August 2 then members will vote by ballot at the end of the service. We also will provide drive-by voting from 9:30am-12pm at the front entrance. We will announce the decision at the end of the 11am service, which will also be included on our Livestream.

We will have two events to help you get to know Tim & Riley as well as give you an opportunity to ask questions:
Wed, July 22 at 6:30pm-Soda Floats with Tim for students, parents & workers at The Cube
                                (provisions will be made for social distancing)

Sun, July 26 – Churchwide Meet & Greet in the gym after both worship services (with social distancing)

We have decided not to reopen KidsCountry Preschool and KidsCity Worship (grades K-5)  on August 2.  When we do start back, KidsCity Choir will be a part of KidsCity Worship!

We are monitoring the health and public safety situation and will decide later on when to open preschool, children, and return Bible study classes on campus.

We are collecting school supplies for Connect ministry to pass out to elementary children. Please drop off basic supplies by August 9 to the barrel in the foyer or at the office door Mon-Thurs. We do have all the backpacks provided, just need supplies to fill them.

Reminder of the procedures during this time: every other pew is taped off, no hugs or handshakes, we encourage you to wear a mask, the foyer is divided for one way traffic, we are having temperature checks for all staff and workers. Only the main door and senior adult door 7 are open for entry.

If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature, are vulnerable to COVID, or have been around someone who has been exposed to COVID-please follow CDC recommendations, self-quarantine, and watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from July 8 at 7:00pm

Our tentative date to reopen KidsCountry Preschool and KidsCity Worship (grades K-5)  is August 2 for both of our Sunday morning worship services. That will also be our Promotion Day so 4 year olds, 5th graders, 12th graders & college seniors will move up to the next ministry group. Preschool, children, and students will start in their new class once Bible Study starts back.

We have decided to move Bible study classes on campus date to mid-August or early September. Most classes are meeting digitally or on campus at various times in a room set up for social distancing.

Reminder of the procedures during this time: every other pew is taped off, no hugs or handshakes, we encourage you to wear a mask, the foyer is divided for one way traffic, we are having temperature checks for all staff and workers. If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from July 1 at 1:00pm

We have pushed back the tentative date to reopen KidsCountry Preschool from July 12 to August 2 for both of our Sunday morning worship services. 

At this time, we are tentatively planning on reopening KidsCity Worship for grades K-5 on Sunday, August 2 for both services.

We have decided to move Bible study classes on campus date to mid-August or early September. Most classes are meeting digitally or on campus at various times in a room set up for social distancing.

Reminder of the procedures during this time: every other pew is taped off, no hugs or handshakes, you are welcome to wear a mask, the foyer is divided for one way traffic, we are having temperature checks for all staff and workers. If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from May 28 at 2:00pm

We had a great time of worship last Sunday. Thank you to those who watched online and those who were able to attend. Our attenders were able to social distance in both hours, moved to their seats efficiently, and our cleaning crews worked diligently between the services. We encourage you to stay connected—whether attending in person or online!  

Remember our services are at 8:45am and 11am. We will continue to follow our previous guidelines listed below.

Please take note of the procedures during this time:

  • ONLY THE MAIN ENTRANCE WILL BE OPEN – these doors will open 20 minutes before each service so please do not arrive at the doors prior to these times. Doors will open at 8:25 for the 8:45am service and then again at 10:40 for the 11:00am service. 
  • SOCIAL DISTANCING – please try to keep 6 feet between you and non-family members in the foyer and while seated. We have taped off every other pew in the Worship Center.
  • NO HUGS OR HANDSHAKES – it will be hard, but please no touching others when greeting.
  • MASKS – we are encouraging everyone to wear a mask.
  • FOYER WILL BE ONE WAY TRAFFIC – we have divided the foyer in half with one way traffic, follow the arrows on the floor. We will have hand sanitizer stations available.
  • ENTER BALCONY THROUGH THE WORSHIP CENTER – the balcony will be open both services but the stairwells are closed. Please enter & exit the balcony through the front of the Worship Center on the sides.
  • GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR SEAT – please do not gather in the foyer but go directly to your seat after you enter the building.
  • CHILDCARE – we will not be able to offer preschool care or children’s worship. There are children’s worship kits available at the Info Center.
  • OFFERING – we will not be passing the offering plate but rather using offering boxes in the foyer near the coat racks and at the Info Center which has been moved to the brick wall by the main door. 
  • DISMISSAL – at the end of the service, we will dismiss by sections. Please go directly to the parking lot and do not socialize in the foyer.
  • CLEANING – The main entrance will be locked after the first service in order to give adequate time to clean and sanitize the worship center, restrooms, and foyer areas. Doors will reopen at 10:40 for the 11am service.
  • STAFF & WORKERS TEMPERATURE CHECKS – everyone scheduled to serve and all staff will have their temperature checked when they enter the building.
  • BUILDING – only the worship center, foyer and foyer restrooms will be open. The rest of the building will be closed. Coffee café, library and water fountains are closed. We will not have bulletins and have removed the pens, papers, Bibles and hymnals from the pews.
  • BIBLE STUDY GROUPS – will continue to meet online at this time. However, beginning June 14 adult classes will have the option to schedule an alternate time to meet weekly in the building Sunday afternoon or evening or Monday-Wednesday morning or afternoon.
  • If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from May 20 at 10:00am

We are excited that we are reopening for our worship services this Sunday, May 24 at 8:45am and 11:00am. You can also stream our services via our church Facebook page and on Livestream through our website. 

Please take note of the following changes and procedures:

  • ONLY THE MAIN ENTRANCE WILL BE OPEN – these doors will open 20 minutes before each service so please do not arrive at the doors prior to these times. Doors will open at 8:25 for the 8:45am service and then again at 10:40 for the 11:00am service. 
  • SOCIAL DISTANCING – please try to keep 6 feet between you and non-family members in the foyer and while seated. We have taped off every other pew in the Worship Center.
  • NO HUGS OR HANDSHAKES – it will be hard, but please no touching others when greeting.
  • MASKS – we are encouraging everyone to wear a mask.
  • FOYER WILL BE ONE WAY TRAFFIC – we have divided the foyer in half with one way traffic, follow the arrows on the floor. We will have hand sanitizer stations available.
  • ENTER BALCONY THROUGH THE WORSHIP CENTER – the balcony will be open both services but the stairwells are closed. Please enter & exit the balcony through the front of the Worship Center on the sides.
  • GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR SEAT – please do not gather in the foyer but go directly to your seat after you enter the building.
  • CHILDCARE – we will not be able to offer preschool care or children’s worship. There are children’s worship kits available at the Info Center.
  • OFFERING – we will not be passing the offering plate but rather using offering boxes in the foyer near the coat racks and at the Info Center which has been moved to the brick wall by the main door. 
  • DISMISSAL – at the end of the service, we will dismiss by sections. Please go directly to the parking lot and do not socialize in the foyer.
  • CLEANING – The main entrance will be locked after the first service in order to give adequate time to clean and sanitize the worship center, restrooms, and foyer areas. Doors will reopen at 10:40 for the 11am service.
  • STAFF & WORKERS TEMPERATURE CHECKS – everyone scheduled to serve and all staff will have their temperature checked when they enter the building.
  • BUILDING – only the worship center, foyer and foyer restrooms will be open. The rest of the building will be closed. Coffee café, library and water fountains are closed. We will not have bulletins and have removed the pens, papers, Bibles and hymnals from the pews.
  • BIBLE STUDY GROUPS – will continue to meet online at this time.
  • If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from May 13 at 5:00pm

THIS SUNDAY – We will stream live music and sermon at 8:45am and 11:00 service via our church Facebook page and on Livestream through our website. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES – This would be our Sunday to celebrate our high school graduates in our worship service. We hope to be able to recognize our graduates in the upcoming weeks.

UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICES –  We are reopening our doors for worship on May 24 for both worship services at 8:45 and 11:00. We will also stream both services. We will be practicing social distancing. We will not be able to offer preschool care or children’s worship. Bible Study classes, choir and orchestra will not be meeting in the building until further notice. If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online. We will be sending more detailed information next week regarding traffic flow, precautions, closures, and safety guidelines. We are thinking through all aspects of opening our doors and making necessary changes.

PRAYER ROOM – Our prayer room will reopen June 1. However, our building is still closed other than the office Monday-Thursday.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from May 6 at 3:00pm

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE – We will stream a recorded prayer service on our church Facebook and website on Thursday, May 7 at 12pm.

THIS SUNDAY –  We will stream pre-recorded music and new sermon at 8:45am choir & orchestra led service and 11:00 band led service via our church Facebook page and on Livestream through our website.  

CHURCH OFFICE – The church office will be opening back up this Monday, May 11. However, we will remain closed on Fridays through the summer. Other than the office, our building remains closed.

UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICES –  We are planning to open our doors for worship on May 24 for both worship services at 8:45 and 11:00. We will also stream the services. We will be practicing social distancing. We will not be able to offer preschool care or children’s worship at this time. Bible Study classes, choir and orchestra will not be meeting until further notice. If you feel sick, have a persistent cough, have a temperature or are vulnerable to COVID, please watch the service online. We will be sending more detailed information as the date approaches. We are thinking through all aspects of opening our doors and making necessary changes.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – Unfortunately, we have decided we are not be able to have VBS this summer. 

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from April 30 at 12:00pm

PASTOR BUDDY’S CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK – Reminder to encourage someone, pray every day for someone, and give to someone this week!

THIS SUNDAY –  We will be streaming the service live at 8:45am via our church Facebook page and on Livestream through our website and reposting that service at 11:00am.  

UPCOMING WEEKS – As you know, the at home order has been lifted in our state and county effective May 4. However, we do NOT plan to resume public Worship Service at this time. We also will not have Bible Study or any other Sunday activities at church until further notice. Your staff is working hard as we prepare for your return ensuring a safe, clean worship environment as we move into this next phase of getting back to normal. The health and safety of our members is our priority. We will keep you informed of when it’s safe to reopen our doors so be sure to watch for our emails, Facebook posts, and Coronavirus page on the website for the latest information on worship times and other church events.

LISTEN TO WORSHIP SERVICE ON YOUR PHONE – We have a new phone service set up through LiveStream, to help our members who do not have internet or computers. Call 636-443-7227 and follow the prompts to hear the service live on your phone on Sunday at 8:45am. It will also be saved and can be listened to throughout the week, beginning on Monday. You can even call now and set it up for them to call you when the service starts on Sunday. Our adult Bible Study teachers are contacting those in their class who could benefit from this service, please help spread the word to those who are not in a class and invite them to call in. Contact Pastor Jerry for more information.

CONTINUED MINISTRY TO OUR COMMUNITY:

  • NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT – We are showing “We Care” by writing notes, drawings, verses of encouragement and thanks to medical workers and employees. Please drop your filled out cards or pick up blank cards at the church office 9am-3pm by Wednesday (basket right inside the office entrance door). See the attached photo of our cards on a bulletin board at the hospital.
  • CHICK-FIL-A FOR MEDICAL WORKERS – This week is our 5th delivery of CFA sandwiches to SSM St Joseph and the 3rd to Barnes St. Peters for the workers as an encouragement and thank you to our medical workers.
  • FOOD DONATIONS FOR COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE – We are partnering with the schools and other local churches to provide food to school children during this time. Please help by donating funds or food items in the barrels outside the office doors on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am-3pm. Priority needs are: kid friendly cereal, canned meats (chicken, beef stew, tuna), cookies, granola or cereal bars, canned fruit, spaghetti noodles & sauce w/ meat, packages or rice or potato sides, raman noodles, fruit snacks, peanut butter or cheese crackers, snack bags of Cheez-Its or Goldfish crackers. They still can use: peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix & syrup, hamburger helper, mac & cheese, oatmeal. Contact Stan Norton for additional information.

A FEW REMINDERS:

  • Adults – Pastor Jerry will continue teaching an adult Bible Study at 10am on Sundays on our church Facebook page. 
  • Students – FTK Midweek is live every Wednesday at 6:30pm on Instagram and You Tube. Luke is also hosting student connection times throughout the week. Check FTK social media and parent/student emails for info. You can use this website to link you to all the student social media and announcements – https://linktr.ee/ftk_students.
  • KidsCity Parents – be sure to follow “FBC St Charles-KidsCity” on Facebook for fun ideas, get info on Zoom meetings for kids and see Ms. Martha on Facebook Live!
  • Our church building is closed and our church office is open only for drop-offs and deliveries. Our office is closed on Fridays during this time.
  • Please let us know if we can help or pray for you. We are checking the prayer room phone, so you can call it at 636-922-PRAY and leave a message.
  • Please continue to give to support the ministry of FBC. You can give online, text 636-220-5070, mail a check (2701 Muegge Road, St Charles MO 63303), or drop it by the office.

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UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from April 16 at 4:00pm

SUNDAY SERVICES – We will be airing the service via our church Facebook page and on Livestream through our website only through May 10. We will have worship from our choir and orchestra service at 8:45am and band led worship at our 11am service. You can view them both at any time after they initially air, so you can choose to watch live or watch it later.

CHURCH BUILDING – Our building is closed and our church office is open only for drop-offs and deliveries.

OFFICE HOURS – Our office is closed on Fridays during this time.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from March 17 at 5:30pm

First Baptist Church St Charles Family,

In accordance with the White House request and the recommendations of the CDC, we are cancelling all activities through Saturday, April 4.We will livestream the Sunday worship service at 8:45am on our website at fbcstcharles.org and on our church Facebook page. You can choose to watch it live or it will be archived as a recent video that you can watch later in the day.

Beginning April 5, we are hoping to meet again on Sundays. However, all other activities will remain cancelled through May 10.

Be watching for devotional videos on our First Baptist Church St Charles Facebook page.

Please continue to be faithful to give during this time. We have a variety of ways you can give – online at fbcstcharles.org, text the amount to 636-220-5070, mail to 2701 Muegge Road, St Charles 63303 or drop by the office during the week.

Note: all plans are subject to change as new information is released. Please watch your email, social media and website for the latest information.

Know that your church staff loves you and is praying for you.

UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from March 13 at 7:00pm

Due to the National Emergency concerning the coronavirus, we will not have Sunday Morning Bible Study, Sunday night or Wednesday night activities the week of March 15. 

We plan to have our regular Sunday 8:45 and 11:00am worship services.

STATEMENT CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) from March 13 at 11:00am