Cancellations
On Monday, March 16, 2020, President Trump issued new guidelines to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus over the next 15 days. Governor Walz also issued an executive order on Monday requiring the closing of many businesses of public accommodation, beginning 5:00 p.m. on March 17 until 5:00 p.m. on March 27. In conjunction with the Governor's executive order, the Minnesota Department of Health posted the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which recommends the cancellation or postponement of any events in which 50 or more people would gather. The President's guidelines recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided. At this point, none of these guidelines appears to be legally mandatory for churches, but it seems that compliance with them is certainly prudent. Following these guidelines is a demonstration of our concern for the welfare of the congregation (John 13:34-35) and our respect for God-ordained governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, in compliance with these guidelines, all scheduled gatherings of First Baptist Church (which includes church services and any other events) are cancelled until at least March 31. Due to the uncertain course of COVID-19, and the rapidly changing guidelines in recent days, we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our ministry plans as needed.
**Update: We resumed meeting at church for services on May 31, 2020 on an adjusted schedule (see the Home page). This limited schedule of church services was made to reduce the amount of potential exposure an attendee may have to other people who might be infected with the virus but be asymptomatic. By reducing the number of ministries and services, and allowing more time for cleaning and sanitizing, we hope to avoid possible infection. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we endeavor to worship the Lord together as a congregation, yet still be prudent in responding to the pandemic conditions.
On Monday, March 16, 2020, President Trump issued new guidelines to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus over the next 15 days. Governor Walz also issued an executive order on Monday requiring the closing of many businesses of public accommodation, beginning 5:00 p.m. on March 17 until 5:00 p.m. on March 27. In conjunction with the Governor's executive order, the Minnesota Department of Health posted the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which recommends the cancellation or postponement of any events in which 50 or more people would gather. The President's guidelines recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided. At this point, none of these guidelines appears to be legally mandatory for churches, but it seems that compliance with them is certainly prudent. Following these guidelines is a demonstration of our concern for the welfare of the congregation (John 13:34-35) and our respect for God-ordained governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, in compliance with these guidelines, all scheduled gatherings of First Baptist Church (which includes church services and any other events) are cancelled until at least March 31. Due to the uncertain course of COVID-19, and the rapidly changing guidelines in recent days, we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our ministry plans as needed.
**Update: We resumed meeting at church for services on May 31, 2020 on an adjusted schedule (see the Home page). This limited schedule of church services was made to reduce the amount of potential exposure an attendee may have to other people who might be infected with the virus but be asymptomatic. By reducing the number of ministries and services, and allowing more time for cleaning and sanitizing, we hope to avoid possible infection. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we endeavor to worship the Lord together as a congregation, yet still be prudent in responding to the pandemic conditions.
Creative Approach to Ministry in Uncertain Times
The New Testament calls for local churches to meet regularly for worship, observance of the ordinances, and ministry to our fellow-believers. In bygone years an epidemic disease could have prevented a church from any sort of corporate worship, but with the technology available today we can safeguard the health of the congregation while still worshiping in a virtual manner. Worshiping through electronic media is no substitute for the personal gathering together of a congregation, but it does provide a temporary alternative. During times in which we are not able to gather at the church building for services due to the virus, we will endeavor to provide alternative ways of ministering the Word of God.
*Beginning March 22, we began video recording Sunday services and posting them on the "Sermon" page of this website, as well as the church Facebook page or YouTube channel (click on the links below, or search "hibbingbaptist.org" on either site). Other services, such as Wednesday Prayer Meeting and the Adult Bible Study are available via Zoom (a link to the Zoom meetings can be emailed to those who request it).
The New Testament calls for local churches to meet regularly for worship, observance of the ordinances, and ministry to our fellow-believers. In bygone years an epidemic disease could have prevented a church from any sort of corporate worship, but with the technology available today we can safeguard the health of the congregation while still worshiping in a virtual manner. Worshiping through electronic media is no substitute for the personal gathering together of a congregation, but it does provide a temporary alternative. During times in which we are not able to gather at the church building for services due to the virus, we will endeavor to provide alternative ways of ministering the Word of God.
*Beginning March 22, we began video recording Sunday services and posting them on the "Sermon" page of this website, as well as the church Facebook page or YouTube channel (click on the links below, or search "hibbingbaptist.org" on either site). Other services, such as Wednesday Prayer Meeting and the Adult Bible Study are available via Zoom (a link to the Zoom meetings can be emailed to those who request it).
Your Donations are Needed.
Even when the church is not able to meet together, it still has financial obligations (insurance, utilities, mortgage, support for our missionaries, etc.) that need to be paid. We are dependent on your ongoing financial support to pay our expenses. If you are not able to attend services in person, you may send your tithes and offerings by mail to the church (First Baptist Church, 605 E 41st St, Hibbing, MN 55746). You may also make online donations by clicking on the "Give" button on the "Donations" page of this website, or by downloading the Tithe.ly smartphone app and searching for "First Baptist Church of Hibbing."
Even when the church is not able to meet together, it still has financial obligations (insurance, utilities, mortgage, support for our missionaries, etc.) that need to be paid. We are dependent on your ongoing financial support to pay our expenses. If you are not able to attend services in person, you may send your tithes and offerings by mail to the church (First Baptist Church, 605 E 41st St, Hibbing, MN 55746). You may also make online donations by clicking on the "Give" button on the "Donations" page of this website, or by downloading the Tithe.ly smartphone app and searching for "First Baptist Church of Hibbing."
Personal Ministry
Though we are not able to fellowship together in our usual fashion, that doesn't mean that we are unable to minister to one another.
Prayer: You can communicate your requests for prayer by phone (call the church; leave a message on the answering machine if no one is in the office), mail, or email ([email protected]).
Personal Assistance: Some of our members with greater health risks would probably appreciate it if someone could pick up groceries or other necessities for them so they wouldn't have to go out. If you would like to receive this assistance, or offer this assistance, please call the church so we can arrange this service.
Technology Support: Not everyone in our church is tech-savvy, so some may not know how to connect to this website, to view online video recordings, email, Facebook, etc. Since the coronavirus is keeping people at home for the most part, the church is especially reliant on online forms of communication. If you know of individuals who are in need of assistance to get online, or to utilize our online resources, please offer your assistance (if it is healthy & safe to do so).
Personal Contact: Because we are more time time of isolation right now, don't forget to stay in contact with others in the congregation (especially those who live alone). You can reach one another through mail, email, texts, etc., but there's nothing like the voice of a friend to bring encouragement or warm a lonely heart.
Though we are not able to fellowship together in our usual fashion, that doesn't mean that we are unable to minister to one another.
Prayer: You can communicate your requests for prayer by phone (call the church; leave a message on the answering machine if no one is in the office), mail, or email ([email protected]).
Personal Assistance: Some of our members with greater health risks would probably appreciate it if someone could pick up groceries or other necessities for them so they wouldn't have to go out. If you would like to receive this assistance, or offer this assistance, please call the church so we can arrange this service.
Technology Support: Not everyone in our church is tech-savvy, so some may not know how to connect to this website, to view online video recordings, email, Facebook, etc. Since the coronavirus is keeping people at home for the most part, the church is especially reliant on online forms of communication. If you know of individuals who are in need of assistance to get online, or to utilize our online resources, please offer your assistance (if it is healthy & safe to do so).
Personal Contact: Because we are more time time of isolation right now, don't forget to stay in contact with others in the congregation (especially those who live alone). You can reach one another through mail, email, texts, etc., but there's nothing like the voice of a friend to bring encouragement or warm a lonely heart.