Dr. Charles Womack, Pastor Josh Veitch, Associate Pastor

Kendell Lowry, Minister of Music

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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3 10:30 am

Worship Service

Live on Facebook

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6 10 am Bro. Charlie’s Facebook Live Bible Study & Devotional 6:30 pm Youth Zoom Meeting

7 SBC National Day

of Prayer

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10:30 am

Worship Service

Live on Facebook

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13 10 am Bro. Charlie’s Facebook Live Bible Study & Devotional 6:30 pm Youth Zoom Meeting

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10:30 am

Worship Service

Live on Facebook

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20 10 am Bro. Charlie’s Facebook Live Bible Study & Devotional 6:30 pm Youth Zoom Meeting

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24 10:30 am

Worship Service

Live on Facebook

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Worship Service

Live on Facebook

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26 27 10 am Bro. Charlie’s Facebook Live Bible Study & Devotional 6:30 pm Youth Zoom Meeting

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May 2020 Volume 10 Issue 5

First Baptist Bethany

2020

Mustang High School

Ashley Williams

Putnam City West

Caleb Leyva

Jacob Arias

Keandre McCuin

Quran Escalona

Ronnie Sepe

Michael Dunkel

Piedmont High School

Mckinzie Melnyk

High School Graduates

Oklahoma State University

Matthew Jackson

Masters University of Oklahoma

Jon Lowry

Kendell Lowry

College Graduates

Associate Pastor JOSH VEITCH

The COVID-19 Pandemic will impact how we gather

together as a church family. Therefore, we will gradually

return to doing the various activities and ministries of

our church. Many of the healthy practices and

physical distancing will need to continue and be

maintained till the risk of the COVID-19 virus

lessens. Prayerfully consider these new realities. I

want what is best for our church family and friends as

we return to the church building.

We are in the hands of God. Therefore, let us do our

part to help each other and honor the Lord as we look

forward to being together again.

Bro. Charlie

Pastor’s Corner BY BRO CHARLIE It is my prayer that the presence of God and His

abiding Spirit has been with you during this very

difficult time. I am looking forward to the Sunday

morning that we can gather again as a church fellowship

in our church building. However, at this time, I cannot set

a definite date for us gathering together.

We will begin to gradually open up the church

building for worship, Bible study, and ministry when

the following criterion is met:

1) We can reopen when the national and state

guidelines are met in Phase 3 for reopening. Our

church family is made up of many people who are

vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. From Phase 3:

Vulnerable individuals can resume public

interaction, but should practice physical distancing,

minimizing exposure to social settings where

distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary

practices are observed. Also, Large venues (e.g.,

sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues,

places of worship) can operate under limited

physical distancing protocols.

2) Opening up the church building will follow the

recommendations of the City of Bethany.

3) We will open up when I get a consensus from a

group of health care professionals in our church. I

have and will continue to consult with this group

of health care professionals as I make decisions.

At this time, it has been the consensus that we

cannot set a date for getting back to the church

building. It is my desire to prayerfully consider

the advice I receive from this advisory team and

set an agreed upon date for us opening up the

church building.

4) Lastly, we are getting things ready for returning to

the church building. Hand soap dispensers will be

replaced and updated as needed. Hand-Sanitizer

dispensers will be placed at each entrance, and

various places in the building (hallways, class

rooms, and gathering areas). All meeting areas are

being cleaned and sanitized. Signs will be placed

in various places that encourage healthy practices,

that when followed, help reduce the transmission

of viruses.

Music Minister KENDELL LOWRY

May Musical Spotlight

This month’s musical spotlight is “Still, My Soul, Be

Still.” I am typically a very busy person. I like being

busy— filling my time with things to do, people to see,

places to go. However, during this time of quarantine, I

have found (maybe a little forced to find) more stillness.

There is less to do and see, allowing more time to be

present and enjoy His presence. I encourage you to listen

to this song, meditate on the lyrics, and find stillness in

our Savior.

“Still, My Soul, Be Still” by Keith Getty, Kristyn

Getty & Stuart Townsend

“Still, My Soul, Be Still’ was written in 2008, but until

recently was mainly utilized as a choir anthem or solo

special. However, it has an accessibility musically and a

power lyrically that is powerful for the congregation to

sing. “Still, My Soul, Be Still” is a psalm-like exhortation

to trust in God through difficult circumstances.

“God, You are my God, and I will trust in You

and not be shaken. Lord of peace, renew a

steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.”

Stuart Townsend, one of the songwriters, stated: “The

main message of the song is for us to be able to still our

minds in the noise of daily life, both externally and

internally, and to be able to recognize the closeness of

God in everything and the voice of God in the place of

stillness. God is near to us in the now, in the midst of our

stress, our circumstances, the pressures of life, the

distractions of the urgent, and the temptations that

constantly surround us. I particularly love the idea that

the light of Christ becomes stronger for us, and more

discernible, when everything else around us seems dark

and despairing. In reality, we are all looking for a place

of rest, and my hope is that this song might point us in

the right direction.”

Listen to “Still, My Soul, Be Still” performed by Keith &

Kristyn Getty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=iG9t5_ZNmaw

Here’s another beautiful version performed by choir and

orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=y2l8xv2Hlzg

Source: https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/still-my-

soul-be-still/ Our Goal - $7,000 Received to Date - $2,689.30

Watch Sunday Morning Worship Services Live on Facebook

Sunday Mornings at 10:30 am or on the Church’s website at

fbcbethany.com

Watch Bro. Charlie’s Live Bible Study and Devotional every Wednesday Morning at 10 am

on Facebook or on the website.

If you have any questions, please call or text the Office Staff at

Bro. Charlie - 922-5927 / Josh - 830-6461 / Sue - 760-4110

Thanks to the following ladies who helped provide masks for Baptist Village Communities:

Mattie Gordon, Carolyn Kennedy, Ora Lee Mell & Gloria Peck

They are still in need of them. If anyone can make them, let me know and I would be happy to pick them up and deliver them.

Lee Gordon

Most people know Martin Luther as a theologian and as the

father of the Reformation but he also happened to have

some pretty relevant advice for communities dealing with

the coronavirus.

Back in 1527, a deadly plague hit Martin Luther’s town of

Wittenberg and he wrote a letter to a friend, explaining how

churches should deal with such complicated circumstances.

Sure, science has progressed immensely in the last 500

years and we know way more about infectious diseases than

we did back then, but the heart of his words still ring true.

“Use medicine; take potions which can help you; fumigate

house, yard, and street; shun persons and places wherever

your neighbor does not need your presence or has recovered,

and act like a man who wants to help put out the burning

city,” Luther advised. “What else is the epidemic but a fire

which instead of consuming wood and straw devours life

and body?”

We have a better understanding of medicine, “potions” and

the value of fumigation but Luther’s advice about loving

your community by avoiding going out is just as pertinent

today. The scientific consensus is that “social distancing”,

staying home and avoiding crowds is the best way to

prevent the spread of the virus and help those who are most

vulnerable. But Luther knew that as Christians, even these

precautions have their limits. “If my neighbor needs me,

however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go

freely, as stated above,” he wrote. “See, this is such a

God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy

and does not tempt God.”

In other words, be smart. Use discernment. Protect your

community by staying in but if someone needs help,

remember the Gospel’s call to assist those in need. That

may look different for everyone but we can all do something:

Call an isolated friend who might be lonely. Check-in on

elderly neighbors and family members. Don’t hoard groceries

and supplies. Be generous with extra income, remembering

that many people will be suffering financially in the coming

days. Support medical professionals through prayer and

respect of their advice and guidelines. And most of all,

remember that though the war on the coronavirus is one

that can be won through wisdom and science. We protect

our bodies and the health of our communities through social

distancing and self-isolation, but we battle not against flesh

and blood, but spiritual forces that want to strip us of peace

and replace it with fear.

Luther wrote: ”In closing, we admonish and plead with you

in Christ’s name to help us with your prayers to God so that

we may do battle with word and precept against the real and

spiritual pestilence of Satan in his wickedness with which

he now poisons and defiles the world.”