message from our pastor · presentation. pictures can be dropped off at the church, tuesdays or...
TRANSCRIPT
Message from our Pastor
Dear SMBC Family,
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much we appreciate your
support, prayers, and patience during this unprecedented time.
Little did we realize how long this process would take when we ceased our regular in person church gatherings.
As you can imagine, the task of opening our church for services once again is taking a lot of thought and time.
I know the biggest question is, “When are we going back to the church building?”. Truthfully, the answer is “We
do not know!” We have an expert team looking at possibilities but also being aware of the numbers for the Covid-
19. Because there is no vaccine and really no true treatment that eliminates the virus we are erring on the side of
caution. Please know that when we do decide to worship at 818 N Apperson Way we will send out a phone
message and post on Facebook and church website alerting you at least one week in advance.
Enclosed, you will find some things to expect here at SMBC once we open again for in person worship. We do
understand that several things will be different than before, but we do trust and pray any changes will be
temporary. We do not know how long but ask for your patience. Our desire from the very beginning has been the
health and safety of our members and friends. This desire will continue to be the case as we move forward.
Also, as I pen this letter, I am full of many emotions as we have seen the results of another virus we face in
America, RACISM! This virus continues to raise its ugly head. The loss of so many lives and most recently, the
loss of George Floyd, on May 25, 2020 has left the entire world struggling with the results. SMBC and many
other churches, pastors, organizations, cities, states and countries agree that we can no longer silently watch from
the sidelines as this virus attacks and takes away precious lives at the hands of those who abuse power. Join us
for a PARK AND PRAY event on Sunday, June 7 at 5PM on the eastside of the Howard County Courthouse as
we pray for change in our community, country and world. Other pastors and churches will be in attendance and
you will notice partnership with persons of various ethnic backgrounds. We have a serious work ahead and need
your prayers.
Over the course of time you will be hearing about strategies and plans to make improvements here locally and
value your support. Let us pray that one day we will live in a beloved world community.
I encourage everyone to stay safe, get tested and check on one another. God is still in control and we celebrate
FAITH over Fear!
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Dr. William J. Smith, Jr.
JUNE ACTIVITIES
Park and Pray
o Sunday, June 7, 5PM (Howard County Courthouse, east side)
College/School Pride Sunday
o Sunday, June 14 (Share your college/school gear pictures on SMBC Facebook page.)
Father’s Day weekend event
o Saturday, June 20 at 6PM (Join us as we celebrate Fathers)
o Send pictures of you and your fathers. All pictures will be featured on our Special Video
presentation. Pictures can be dropped off at the church, Tuesdays or Thursdays (10AM –
12Noon), emailed to [email protected] or inbox on Facebook Messenger (Second
Missionary Baptist Church, Kokomo). Post and email pictures by Wednesday, June 17.
Worship in the Park (Studebaker Park, directly behind Carver Center)
o Sunday, June 28 at 11AM
Congratulations to our 2020 Graduates. We look forward to
celebrating you in person. May God bless your next steps.
Walk Forward in the Lord
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a
hope.
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE (www.smbchurch.com) for
- Direct connections to live worship experiences, and Facebook page
- Giving
- Prayer Requests
- Church Updates
- Bible Study handouts
- Worship videos
- Pictures/Presentations
- And more…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOSE BORN IN JUNE!
It’s another year that the Lord has made.
Rejoice and be glad in it.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL OF OUR MARRIED
COUPLES. May your love for each other exist for
eternity! Happy wedding anniversary! God bless
you.
Some Changes you will notice for everyone’s
safety:
Our church has been and will continue to be totally
sanitized prior to our entrance.
Gloves and masks will be available
Directional signs on doors
conducting temperature checks on all individuals
entering the worship center for worship.
Hand sanitizing stations throughout buildings
Hand sanitizer will be provided prior to communion.
No Sunday School eating
Our junior usher ministry will not serve during our first phase.
Social distancing in pews and throughout building
New signs for handwashing and social distancing
Prayer Service and Bible Study will be conducted online
Hymn books, bibles, fans, and envelopes will be removed from the pews
Fist bump, elbow love a holy wave or Wakanda Forever sign are the new gestures of fellowship and
love. We ask that you not hug.
No prayer at altar unless making the decision to acknowledge Christ as Savior. Also, no holding hands
during prayer
Balcony and other overflow areas will be provided
Walking around for offering and communion
We plan to have a team assisting with the opening of doors up till 15 minutes into worship. If you are
interested in supporting this ministry, please contact us.
Pastors and Deacons will not be conducting in home and hospital visitations. Phone calls will be
provided during times of need.
Remember it is ok to miss church. We can’t wait to assemble but if you or someone in their household is ill,
please do not attend worship. If you have a preexisting condition or fit a high-risk category, please do not attend
worship. We will be streaming all worship services. This will be a continuous part of our ministry to help us
fulfill the Great Commission. We encourage members of our congregation who are 60 plus or who have
preexisting conditions to attend the 8AM worship service. There is talk of a second wave in late Fall. If this
does occur, then it will change our gatherings. Please stay tuned. Let us pray for healing and a vaccine.
WATCH FOR THIS SCAM!
Here are signs a swindler wants your cash
The caller or emailer uses the words “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment.” The
term that government officials are using is “economic-impact payment."
You're asked to sign your check over to the caller.
You receive an email, text or social media message saying that you need to verify
your personal and/or banking information to speed up your stimulus payment.
The individual offers to get you your payment faster.
You receive a fake check, and then the sender tells you to call a number to verify your
personal information in order to cash it.
Report potential scams. If you receive unsolicited information-gathering emails, texts or
social media messages that appear to be from the IRS or an organization closely linked to
the agency, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, forward them to
Sunday School Lessons
June 7, 2020 The Call of Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-4, 7-8, 10-
11, 20-22, 32-33
June 14, 2020 The Value of Wisdom Proverbs 2:1-11
June 21, 2020 The Gifts of Wisdom Proverbs 8:8-14, 17-
21
June 28, 2020 Wisdom’s Feast Proverbs 9:1-6, 8-10, 13-
18
Sunday School books available for pickup on Saturdays
