Coming Back from Covid-19, Your Help Is Needed!

May 22, 2020

As we continue to make preparations for coming back on campus for worship in early June, following are several areas we could use your help in. If you can help in any of these areas, please let us know at the office at 962-3214 or by email at churchoffice@carrollwoodbaptist.org.

Reset Life Center: On Wednesday, May 27^th starting at 5:30 p.m. Pastor Matt and others will be overseeing the reset of the Life Center to accommodate physical distancing measures. Help is needed in moving church furnishings and setting up chairs and tables.

Grounds Work: Anytime during the week your help is needed in the following areas:

              Flower beds around church need weeding and pruning.

              Gutter near front entrance (drive through) needs cleaning out.

              Sign board in walkway outside of Life Center needs to be removed.

              General pick up of limbs and other debris around campus.

First Impressions Team: As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, our First Impressions Team members will provide a critical role in setting the tone of our gatherings. As a First Impressions Team Member, you have the all-important role of being that welcoming presence to CBC but also the point person for ensuring that our worship gathering is a safe place that respects and loves our neighbors.

Many of our current ushers and greeters will be forming our one “First Impressions” ministry. However, we are in need of people willing to serve in this very important area. What do First Impressions Ministry Team members do?

              *Ensure that the ministry tables are clean and stocked with appropriate materials (Listening Guide, Connect Card, Prayer Request, Children’s Worship Packet and Disposable Masks). Any materials provided will be picked up by the worshiper, they will not be distributed.

              *Greet worshipers outside and inside our buildings.

              *Hold doors open for people as they enter and leave worship.

  *Wipe down (sanitize) every few minutes or as needed door handles and other surface areas that are frequently touched.

  *Assist in wiping down and sanitizing Life Center between services (seats, water fountain, bathroom fixtures, ministry tables, etc.).

Some Details: Our initial plan will be to offer two worship services, one at 9:00 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. Team Members would be expected to be in place 20 minutes prior to the worship service they are working and may serve at either or both services. Doors will be open for the congregation at 8:50 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. respectively. Initially, our First Impressions team members will be required to wear a mask while performing their ministry when in close contact with guests.

If you are interested in serving in our First Impressions area, please contact the church office or Pastor Bill. After the Life Center is reset, we will schedule a training session with all our First Impressions team members prior to our returning to worship on campus. Thanks in advance for letting us know you will serve in this tremendously important area.

Thanks for your faithfulness and willingness to help bring us back on campus. Looking forward to seeing you online this Sunday and in person very soon!

Pastor Joe

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3      

             

CBC May 2020 Newsletter

Carrollwood Baptist Church, May 2020

Coming Back from Covid-19

I hope that you and your family are doing well. I am continually grateful for you and for the technology that allows all of us to feel somewhat connected during this time of physical distancing. With our community and state in phase 1 of recovery, your staff is working on plans for our eventual campus opening. We see this happening in phases and will be contingent on community guidelines and norms. I have been in contact with a number of churches and our local Tampa Bay Baptist Association has been very helpful in the way of providing resources for churches. We are hopeful that we will begin to provide onsite worship at some level beginning early June. This is tentative and would be worship only with certain guidelines in place. Other programs and ministries would be phased in at appropriate times to be determined. Of course, we will keep a close eye on updates from our state and local officials on the status of combatting Covid-19 and their recommendations. Foremost, we will continue to be sensitive as we move forward always with the thought of loving our neighbors.

“To Do” Focus

With a partial return in mind, here is a look at what we will be working on to be ready prior to any onsite meetings.

·         Staff will be conducting a campus “walk-through” to determine the following:

o   Prioritize areas of need for cleaning and sanitizing prior to our first meeting.

o   Develop cleaning and sanitizing protocols for what is to be carried out        Sunday mornings.  

o   The church buildings and grounds will be evaluated with the view of making plans to pick up trash and debris and other items that detract from the overall cleanliness and appearance of our church property. 

·         Life Center will be reset to accommodate social distancing measures (possibly 25% of current capacity). To accommodate everyone safely, two services would most likely be offered. The service will be livestreamed and persons who feel that they may be vulnerable or who are just not ready to return to a public space will be encouraged to remain home.

·         Cleaning team(s) will need to be assembled to assist in cleaning and sanitizing Life Center between services (carrying out the protocols developed).

·         Sanitizing stations will be in place at the entrance and exit to the Life Center.

·         Offering boxes will be installed at the entrance and exit to the Life Center.

·         Other measures will be put in place to ensure safe distancing and lessen physical contact between worshipers.

Bible Studies

Small group leaders are urged to continue connecting with their small groups through Zoom or other available platforms. A tutorial video will be provided to group leaders who are not currently conducting an online study. The ministerial staff will continue providing their weekly devotions and Bible studies online on our Facebook page and on our website Carrollwoodbaptist.org.

Here Is What Is Currently Being Offered

Sundays

            9:00 a.m.         Devotional and Prayer with Pastor Joe (Facebook)

            9:15 a.m.         “Exploring the Bible” Adult Bible Study

Overview with Pastor Joe (Website)

9:15 a.m.         Bible studies via Zoom. Groups and times may vary, check with

your group.

            10:00 a.m.       Kids Connect with Sarah (Website)

            10:30 a.m.       Sunday Morning Worship Service (Website and Facebook)

Wednesdays

            6:00 p.m.         Midweek Bible Study for Students with Pastor Matt (Zoom)

            7:00 p.m.         Midweek Bible Study with Pastor Joe (Facebook)

            7:00 p.m.         Pastor Bill’s Midweek Study (Website)

           

Thursdays

            9:00 a.m.         Devotional with Pastor Bill (Facebook)

Others in our fellowship, like Dave Fredericks (favorite hymns) and Pastor Tom (aka, Kokomo) have stepped up to offer their unique ministries on Facebook to encourage us a church family during this time. Thank you for your ministry!

Year End Children’s Ministry Event

Since we are not able to recognize our children as we normally would do at the end of the school semester, we are planning to have a safe “drive through” pick up event on Wednesday May 20^th from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Leaders from our GA’s, RA’s, and Children’s Choirs will be onsite at appropriate social distancing spots distributing awards to our children and parents as they drive through our campus. Staff will also be onsite. Other persons are invited to park in a designated area and show their support to our children. This will be a special way to honor our children and adults who have participated in these important ministries.

2020 Graduates!

We love all our graduates and are very proud of each one of them. And we hope to soon be celebrating with them in person. Here are our 2020 Graduates. Be sure to let them know how much you love them and are praying for them.

           

            Karalynn Keifer, Gaither High School

            Justin Stathas, Tampa Christian Community School

            Grace Thornbury, Steinbrenner High School

            Lilly Brichner, University of South Florida (USF)

            Dakota Nalls, University of South Florida (USF)

Missionary Family: Welcome to the Womble’s who are staying with us at the church’s Mission House. Jeff, Cindy and Bethany serve as missionaries to Southeast Asia through our International Mission Board. You can check out a brief introductory video from the Womble’s on our website from our May 3^rd worship service.

In Remembrance

With thankfulness and fond memories, we remember the following persons who recently have gone to be with our Lord. Love and prayers of comfort to their families during this time. “Blessed are those who die in the Lord . . . they will rest from their labor . . . their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13

            Jack DeWan

            Jim Eckler

            Richard Martin

            Jimmy Young

            Kym, Pat Lindsey’s Niece

            Mark, Chip Sutton’s Cousin

Thank you for your continued faithfulness during this season to connect with others in the body of Christ, to be a blessing by serving your neighbors, and by supporting your church fellowship. And remember, God is at work, even when we don’t see it, he’s working and even when we don’t feel it, he’s working. He never stops working! We continue to claim Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

As always, let us know if you have a need or if you know of someone that does. And finally, thank you for your patience as we navigate through unchartered waters. Some of our best laid plans will most likely have to be adjusted, but that’s ok, we will continue to be fluid and walk through this together.

God bless you and keep you, have a great week in the Lord!

Pastor Joe

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3