Dear FBC Lindale Family & our Lindale Community,

I'm sure many of you feel like I do.  I've not seen anything like what we've seen in recent days.  When a situation like this arises, there is so much that is unknown.  The unknown has the power to make us anxious, nervous, and even afraid.  If you're honest, you've been dealing with some of those feelings.  So have I.  I'll bet many of you have wondered, "How do I respond to this as a follower of Jesus?"

Churches all over our country are faced with many decisions in light of concerns about the spread of COVID-19, or Coronavirus.  Our faith communities are faced with a new normal that we pray will be temporary.  We're grateful for our medical professionals, public school officials, and government leaders and we believe they have the best interests of all of us at heart.  They have so much knowledge that we don't, and shouldn't pretend, to have.  I, as your Pastor, as well as our entire staff, also have your best interests at heart. Our desire is for FBC Lindale to respond biblically and in a way that shows that we truly love people the way I know we do. So, let me tell you how we've decided to handle this. Then, I'd like to tell you why.

We have chosen to suspend all our corporate worship services, Bible studies, and activities in accordance with our local and state government recommendations. Our staff will offer various online opportunities for in-home worship and Bible study on Sundays and Wednesdays in the mean time.  We will also offer opportunities for connection throughout the week. This will be a new experience for our staff, but we have already discovered ideas and resources we plan to offer to keep you engaged.

In cooperation with our Rome City & Floyd Country Commissions' & Governer Kemp's "Shelter-in-place" orders, our Church Offices will also be closed until further notice.  All our ministerial staff is still a be available to anyone who needs assistance.  However, they will refrain from in-person interactions except in cases of emergency.  You can contact them by visiting our MEET OUR STAFF page where you'll find each of our staff's email and social media links.  If you prefer someone reach you by phone, call our office at 706-232-7088 and follow the instructions.

We don't want anyone to miss interacting with our church family!  We are still very much alive as a family in Christ!  Here are some things you can do to make sure you don't miss anything...

1. Subscribe to our Remind Text Announcements by texting "@fbclindale" to the number 81010. We will remind you of when we will be offering Facebook Live content so you can join us in real time.

2. Follow all our Facebook Pages. Below is a list of links.  This is where we will be broadcasting our live content for Sundays, Wednesdays, etc.  If you don't have Facebook, we encourage you to create your own account for this purpose.  It's free and no cost to you.  Our staff will be happy to help you get started.  Just ask!

- First Baptist Church of Lindale, GA (our primary page)

- Treehouse Kids Ministry (our Children's Ministry page)

- NoPlanB Student Ministries (our Youth Ministry page)

3. All our Facebook Live content will be made available at www.fb.com/fbclindale/live. You should be able use your computer or tablet to watch all live and past live videos, even if you don't have a Facebook account.

3. We also want to encourage you to continue to be faithful in your giving of tithes and offerings. There are 2 best ways to do this.

- Mail your check to our Church Office at 9 Park Ave., Lindale, GA, 30147.

- Visit our ONLINE GIVING PAGE and give electronically through our eGive service.

There are many ways that Christians are responding. Some are expressing their faith by not altering anything in regards to their worship gatherings. Others have made long-term changes. Some are choosing re-evaluate on a day-to-day basis.  We support all churches in however they choose to respond.  But, here's why I feel this choice is right for us.

Based on information from individual conversations and public knowledge, this will get worse before it gets better. Hospitals are trying to make preparations for more and more people who will need treatment. There is concern that without a unified effort to limit the spread, it’s possible that our hospitals may not be able to handle the number of people who will need treatment. This is being referred to as “flattening the curve.” I urge you to Google this term and read the explanation. 

We are called to be people of faith who don’t cower to panic and fear. We will not do that. The majority of us will likely never catch this virus, and for most of us who DO, we would be able to recover with normal rest and symptom treatment at home.  However, the “WE” of FBC Lindale include many different people.  WE are adults who are age 60+.  WE are people who already have compromised immune systems.  WE are medical professionals who are working daily to care for those who are sick and ill.

I believe Jesus’ story of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25) teaches us that when we serve, protect, and sacrifice for those who are our weakest and most vulnerable neighbors, we’re doing those things “unto Him.” This decision isn’t about fear. We believe it's a great opportunity for people to love their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). When we, who are strong and healthy, take precautions in order to protect the vulnerable and to serve our healthcare workers through being responsible, we are showing our community the kind of love that Jesus spoke of.  Sure, it's not our preference and it will be a sacrifice, but the purpose is clear.  This is not God's people giving in to a worldly pressure.  It is God's people loving our community with compassion and preparation.

We are constantly re-evaluating the situation and will continue to do so.  We have rescheduled our Men's Ministry Brotherhood Boil w/Rick Burgess for Saturday, July 11.  Please see our Men's Ministry page for details.  We are also still working to reschedule our "Lindale NOW" Night of Worship event.  Please keep checking our Facebook pages and this website to stay updated. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  We'll continue to evaluate the needs of our community and will inform you of any additional plans for the future.  But, for now, let's commit to serve each other in this way.  I am praying that this will be an opportunity for us to learn how to love people outside the walls of our house of worship.  We're also trusting God to make himself famous as we are trusting Him to sustain and carry our community through this time.

I love you and am so grateful to be your Pastor.

Peace of Christ, 

Pastor Eric

“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil.”  - Psalm 46:1-3 CSB

All our weekly services and activities have been suspended in cooperation with the guidelines of our local and state government officials.  Please read our Pastor's letter to the community above.  We are offering online content through our Facebook accounts.  Please click the links below to these Facebook Pages, follow them, and watch for video & live broadcast content.

Facebook Accounts

First Baptist Church of Lindale, GA

Treehouse Kids Ministry

NoPlanB Student Ministries

If you don't have a Facebook account, you can still see all LIVE and past live events at www.fb.com/fbclindale/live!

Please check back here for the latest updates and schedule adjustments.

Sunday

8:30 AM - Early Worship

9:45 AM - Bible Study/Sunday School (all ages)

11:00 AM - Late Worship (w/Sprouts & Treehouse Kids Church, ages 4-5th Grade)

4:30 PM - Preschool Choir (ages 4-5) & Children's Choir (Grades 1-5)

4:30 PM - Growth Groups - CLICK HERE for group descriptions & details

Wednesday

All Wednesday PM activities begin at 6:30 PM

Prayer Meeting & Bible Study w/ Pastor Eric

Celebration Choir Rehearsal

NoPlanB Student Ministry (Grades 6-12)

Treehouse Kids (age 4-Grade 5)