“GOD REALLY CARES”
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
(1 Peter 5:7)
We live in a world where people seemingly do not care. Unfortunately, some people have mates, children, and ostensibly loved ones who do not care. Notwithstanding the numerous people who do not care, “God Really Cares.” More specifically and directly, “God Really Cares” for you! He would not have created you and brought you this far in life if He did not really care for you. He cares so much for you that He allowed His only begotten Son, Jesus, to become incarnate and later die in order for people just like you to be saved and have eternal life. Moreover, He cares so much for you that He wants you to “Cast all your care [anxiety] upon Him.” Whatever concerns or bothers you, whether it be spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, or financial, God cares so much for you that He wants you to cast all of your care upon Him.
When you cast your care, make sure you are casting upon the Lord. People often cast their care upon others, but Peter encourages believers to cast every personal care upon the Lord. As you read this Biblical thought, how are you doing? Are you enjoying God’s bestowed blessings in your life? If your life is full of anxiety and problems, God wants you to cast whatever is bothering you upon Him, for “God Really Cares.”
We currently have two Worship Celebrations (each is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) every Sunday: 9 a.m. at the North Campus and 11 a.m. at the South Campus. We encourage everyone to arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand to be seated safely and comfortably. Temperatures are checked, hand sanitizing is urged, social distancing is applied regarding where people shall sit and walk, wearing a mask is still mandatory (even though exceptions will be made in our county beginning November 1st), utilization of restrooms is restricted to 2-4 people at a time (depending on the size of the restroom), and congregating before and after Services is prohibited.
Because of social distancing, we now can only utilize 30-40% of our total seating capacity. Consequently, we are promoting the growth of our virtual audience. I ask everyone to share with others how they can view our Worship Celebrations via live streaming (Facebook or YouTube) or hear them via podcasts. For more information, you may visit our website at sjmbc.org.
We are celebrating our 78th Church Anniversary throughout this month in each of the morning Worship Celebrations (9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.) with preaching, singing, and affirming the value of St. John. Also, in both morning Worship Celebrations this coming Sunday, we are preparing a brief Memorial Period recognizing active parishioners who passed from the beginning of 2020 to the present.
Because of the pandemic, we will not have a Church Revival or an afternoon Worship Celebration on the 4th Sunday of October at 3:30 p.m. as we have done for many years in the past. However, everyone is still encouraged to give a special offering (in addition to our regular Tithes and Offerings) of $78.00 or more. If everyone gives this special Church Anniversary Offering, this will be a financial blessing to our church since we are currently operating with about 80% of the normal income prior to the pandemic and since we are still endeavoring to construct and complete our Family Life Center being debt-free.
Sunday:
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- Worship Celebrations at 9:00 a.m. (North Campus) and 11:00 a.m. (South Campus)
- Online Church School at 2 p.m.
- Online J.A.M. Sessions For Children (2nd and 4th Sundays) at 4:00 p.m.
- Online Lord’s Supper (1st Sundays) at 7:00 p.m.
Monday:
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- Preparation For Grocery Giveaway at 10:00 a.m. (South Campus)
- Online Women Missionary Ministry – General Mission (4th Mondays) at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday:
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- Grocery Giveaway at 12:00 p.m. (North Campus and South Campus)
Wednesday:
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- Online Prayer at 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Online Church School at 7:00 p.m.
Thank God for so many who have faithfully supported St. John financially, especially in the last 18 months. Even though we are operating with about 20% less than we did prior to the pandemic, we are well because of so many of you. Again, thank you! We currently give in person during Sunday Morning Worship Celebrations, by mailing or dropping off our Tithes and Offerings at our Administration Building or South Campus, or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org). If you are financially able but not supporting St. John financially, allow God to bless you with more by giving today your Tithes and Offerings.
If you desire to live each day with much enjoyment, practice “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “God Really Cares!”
May God bless and sustain each of us.
Your Servant In Christ,
Dr. Kevin B. Hall, Pastor