Now is the time. God’s power working through His people can do what the government cannot.
How may we band together to step up as a unified force of good-will for the peace and welfare of our community?
I’m calling all of us, as the people of Mayfair Bible Church, to fervently pray and consider what we can do to serve those hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. What ideas do you have? How will you help? (just hit reply and let me know)
“Why it matters: Market watchers of all stripes agree that the Fed’s tools alone are insufficient to counter the damage likely to be done to the U.S. economy from the coronavirus outbreak and shutdown of businesses that has already begun.
Fed chair Jerome Powell admitted as much during his press conference Sunday, saying, ‘We don’t have the tools to reach individuals and particularly small businesses and other businesses and people who may be out of work.’ I think fiscal policy is a way to direct relief to particular populations and groups … we do think fiscal responses are critical.’” (from Axios.com)
Bottom-line: the Fed doesn’t have the answer.
What will be the response of Jesus-followers from coast-to-coast?
During this unique, challenging season, may our hearts and hands be guided by these key verses:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
“For we are HIs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“Keep your behavior excellent among your unbelieving neighbors, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12)
Good works lead to good-will which leads to good news opportunities.
As we’ve prayed for wisdom and creativity from God about how to move forward on mission as Jesus-followers, we’ve arrived at least five ways we can all get involved in displaying the mercy and message of Jesus:
1. PRAYING IN HOMES: Tonight (Wednesday) at 7PM, I’ll be leading a Facebook LIVE praise and prayer gathering in my living room. You’ll be able to sing along, post prayer requests, share Bible verses, and let others know that you’re praying along with them. Click here to access our page: https://www.facebook.
2. LOVING BY CALLING: We have identified 76 households in our church family that would be particularly blessed by a brief phone call. Many of the people on this list are particularly high-risk and/or elderly. We’re looking for 15 members to step forward for a “loving by calling” ministry to these vital members of our church community. Are you willing and available? If yes, please reply to this email ASAP. We will give you 5 names/numbers and a brief guide. Thank you so much!
3. CARING IN CRISIS: Are you out of work and therefore without pay, as a result of COVID-19? If you are without pay/work because of COVID-19, would you consider yourself or your family in immediate need of basic necessities? If your answer is “yes” to these two questions, we invite you to contact us via Facebook private message, email (office@mayfairbible.org), or a phone call to the church office (810.733.7130). Your information will remain confidential.
Reports indicate that many hourly workers have been laid off and some small businesses are letting go of staff.
We are here. We are a family. We are in this together.
Our partner organization, Flushing Christian Outreach Center, will also be on the frontlines assisting needy families by providing additional food. Consider enlisting yourself on their volunteer team. FCOC is located in our Thrive Center building adjacent to our main facility.
4. SERVING OUR SCHOOLS: The public school systems in our area are currently serving breakfasts and lunches to hundreds of children, who would normally receive them for free or at a very low cost at school. We’ve reached out to Flushing, Mt. Morris, Carmen-Ainsworth, Hamady, and Genesee Christian school districts to offer assistance.
We are currently slated to deliver school meals to families who are unable to pick-up their meals due to a lack of transportation in the Flushing ISD. We are also lining up help for several within the GCS community. We are working directly with school administration to ascertain needs.
5. REACHING OUR COMMUNITY: The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department has called upon all faith-based organizations to mobilize as a Community Task Force. We have stepped forward to serve. As of this afternoon, we are now receiving specific needs that are flowing through two lines of administration before they are given to us: the Sheriff’s Department and then through the Chaplain’s Office. We need people to drop off toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable food items for distribution. We also need volunteers (go in pairs) to deliver items to those without transportation.
READY TO HELP? If you’d like to help with any of these ministry opportunities, please let us know. Simply reply to this email or call the church office (810-733-7130).
THANKFUL
Above all, let us overflow in gratitude. God has given us His grace, mercy, and peace. We walk in those blessing-gifts of salvation every moment of every day.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
This past Saturday and Sunday, we moved all four sessions of our ALL NATIONS Mayfair Missions Conference 2020 to Live-Streaming only, at Mayfair Bible Church.
With the onslaught of COVID-19 coronavirus, our desire to honor our civil leaders for the peace and welfare of our community and the safety of our church-flock necessitated this difficult decision (see Jer. 29:7; Rom. 13:1-5; Gal. 6:10; 1 Pet. 2:13-17).
When we obey God, He often does unexpected and amazing things.
As of this morning, those four live-stream sessions have been viewed 3,557 times.
Our 10:45 AM Worship service accounts for over 1.6k views. We’re blown away by the participation and the response. Praise be to the living God!
We’ll be back online this coming Sunday at 10:45AM and we look forward to you joining us. Your pastors and our awesome team of music and A/V tech volunteers are working hard this week to further improve the overall quality and presentation of our live-stream services. I’m excited about the enhancements that you’ll notice this coming Lord’s Day.
- The best real-time participation for each LIVE streaming event will be on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mayfairbible
- Live-streaming is also available on our website: LIVE Stream – Mayfair Bible Church
Please review the newly updated MEMO on “Our Church and COVID-19” – click here:
PARENTS: Paula Daughenbaugh, our children’s ministry director, is posting awesome tips, videos, and resources for managing this extended (and unexpected!) time with the kiddos at home. Go to our Thrive Kids Facebook group! –> https://www.facebook.com/
BLOOD DRIVE REMAINS AS SCHEDULED
As previously stated, many blood drives are canceled with school closings. Also, other drives have canceled and routine blood donors are canceling their appointments due to concerns of their safety. Versiti will be taking preventative measures to ensure safety of the donors and recipients, as referenced in the press release (see below). With all the members in our community seeking help at local hospitals, it is imperative that those of us who can donate blood, do so.
Here’s my personal cell number to reach me to make an appointment directly: 810.624.7479.
God Bless, and stay healthy!
Respectfully,
Kimberly Strnad (Mayfair Bible Church Blood Drive Director)
Click here for the Versiti Blood Drive Press Release concerning COVID-19: https://www.versiti.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him and lean on His Word.
