Grace Gazette

I am pleased to be announcing that our church will be reopening on June 7th! 

Given the news of the governor’s restrictions on church/worship services being overturned as well as the president’s recent declaration concerning places of worship to be essential, we did not feel it wise to rush right in without a plan. Here is what you will need to know about attending services once we open back up:

Before you ever arrive:

1.      Rest assured that our building has been thoroughly cleaned – doorknobs, light switches, the backs of pews etc. have undergone a disinfecting treatment.

2.      Hand sanitizer has been made readily available in the foyer, as well in each pew that will be in use

3.      The church will be closed immediately after service and no one will be allowed back in without contacting me first. The only exception being our cleaning crew. This is to ensure that the building is as clean as possible.

Here are some changes to be aware of when you arrive:

1.      There will be no Sunday School for a while – we felt that it was too risky to be in that close of contact in such a small space.

2.      There will be only service onsite per week, that being the Sunday morning service. Again, this is to cut down on the amount of cleaning that will have to be done to ensure the safety of everyone.

3.      Service will be like our Drive-in service.

a.      Beginning at 10:15 with special music (no choir currently)

b.      Preaching will begin at 10:30

4.      We will be utilizing our front door as the only entrance and exit to the building for service (in case of emergency any exit will work)

5.      We are asking that there be no fellowship inside the church building at all.

a.      Feel free to congregate in small groups outside, but be mindful of social distancing

b.      Anyone congregating inside the building, unless on official business, will be asked to move outside.

c.      There will be no coffee and doughnuts for a while

d.      There will be no handshaking time for a while

6.      Seating will be limited - There technically doesn’t have to be a limit due to the governor’s recent restrictions being removed, but we thought it best to take the following actions:

a.      Every other pew will be taped off and seating WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

b.      You may only sit closely on a pew with family members (that means people who live in the same house as you)

c.      If you share a pew with another person there must be at least 6 feet between you

d.      In the event of “overflow” we are considering some options going forward and I will make you aware of those options as the need arises.

7.      Certain parts of the building will be “off limits”:

a.      There will be no access to the Sunday school classrooms

b.      The fellowship hall will be off limits as well as the two restrooms in it

c.      The Church library is closed

d.      The Sunday School office is closed to any non-approved persons

8.      The restrooms will be opened, with the exception to the two in the fellowship hall. Here’s what we’re asking:

a.      Only two people in the restroom at a time

b.      Men may form a line down the hallway toward the fellowship hall

c.      Ladies you may form a line down toward the Sunday school wing

d.      Please be aware that people are waiting

9.      We’re not mandating you wear a mask to worship with us, but if you feel more comfortable wearing one, we are asking you to furnish your own mask.  

10.  Here is the most important thing on this entire list: If you do not feel well, please, stay home. We are not set up to take temperatures at the door and we do not plan to attempt to. I am asking you, not only as your pastor, but as your friend with asthma, that if you do not feel well, please do not come. We understand, and God understands. 

If you have specific questions you may email me directly at preachertodd1@gmail.com. Please be in prayer as we move toward reopening! May God bless you all!

In Christ,

Todd Nance, pastor,

Grace Baptist Church

A word from the pastor concerning this study:

Brother John Marshall recently loaned me the hard copy of this study to take a look at and to give my opinion. In my opinion, it is one of the best studies concerning the Jewish people, God's chosen people, I have ever read. John has put much time and study into this endeavor and I felt it was time to get it out to as many people as possible. That being said, this is the first of many monthly installments in our Church Newsletter. I feel it prudent to point out that, while brother John will reference various translation of Scriptures in this study, the position of Grace Baptist Church is that the King James Version is the closest translation to the original Word of God and is the only Bible we use in our services. That being said, John's usage of other Scriptures does not take away from the amazing job he did in putting this study together. I hope you will enjoy this study as much as I have.

Hello, church family! Brother John here, with the first installment of a Bible Study on the importance of the Jewish People in God's plan for humanity. When Pastor Todd first asked me if I would be interested in presenting this study in the church newsletter, I was at first reluctant. But with his encouragement, I agreed to do it. Please know in advance that this study, presented in monthly segments, may take as long as three years to complete. I hope that your attention span (and mine!) can last that long!! May God Bless You as you read on.

Suggested Bible Reading for this Study:

Genesis 1 :1-31; 3:1 5; 12:1-3, 5-7; 13•.14-1 5; 1 5:1 8

Exodus 6:8; 19:5-6

Leviticus Chapter 26

Numbers 23:1 9

Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 14:2; 26:1 8-1 9; Chapters 28, 29, 30

I Samuel 1 2:22

2 Chronicles 7:14

Psalms 89:34; 119:105-, 121:24; 122:6; 135:4•, 137:1-4

Isaiah 9:6; Chapters 11 & 12; 41:8; 43:5-6; 52:10; 54:7; 59:20

Jeremiah 29:14; 30-.3, 5-8; 31:8, 35-37; 32:21-22, 37; 33:3

Ezekiel 11:16-17; 20:41-42; 28:25-26; 34:12-14; Chapters 36 & 37; 39:23-24, 28

Joel Chapters 1, 2,3

Amos 9:14-15

Zechariah 8--22-23.48; 10:8-10; 13:9; 14:3, 6

John 10:16

Acts Chapters 2, 3, 4, 10, 1 1

Romans 2:28—29; Chapters 9, 10, 1 1

Galatians 3:26—29

2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Peter 1-21

Although not referenced in this study, it would be helpful to your knowledge of the End—Times Prophecy, and the Jews' important role in that prophecy to the entire book of the Revelation. Let our journey begin!

Question: How Should Christians View God's Chosen People?

My mother saw to it that, from an early age, I was exposed to the Gospel. Church, Sunday School, and other Christian services were regular events each week. Despite her best efforts and all the exposure I had as a youth, I strayed far from the Biblical standards I was raised to know and follow: even so far as to be arrested, tried and convicted of a felony in 1952, and spending some time in a Maryland prison. It was in the Spring of 1957 that the Lord finally "spoke" to me and turned me onto the right path.