Update on Worship Services [COVID-19 Pandemic]

In light of the guidance we’ve received from public health leaders and local officials regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to stop gathering for worship in-person at First Christian Church beginning this Sunday, March 22. We have been considering the best ways to lead the church forward in worship, devotion, and spiritual growth, and we have developed a plan for the next several Sundays. This Sunday, March 22, we will email a copy of Pastor Jim’s sermon to you. Please take time to pray, read the message, and meditate on the word.

Beginning Sunday, March 29, we will be posting a recorded worship service to Facebook and to the church website. We ask that, before you begin watching the worship service, you take time to light a candle, prepare your personal communion, and remember your contributions to the church. Each recorded worship service will follow an order of worship including scripture, prayer, a message, an offering, communion, etc.

This is a new approach to worship for us, and we ask for your grace and help in this. If you have any issues with playback or sound, or if you have ideas for us, please let us know! Although we are far from one another physically, we are still in community, and we need your help to continue moving forward.

Please know that Pastor Jim and Pastor Karen are praying for you each day. If you have an emergency or need pastoral care, you are welcome to contact either of them their personal cell phone or personal email. The church email is being monitored several times each day.

Also, please remember the upkeep, bills, and payroll will continue during this time that we are away from the church building. We have several ways you can contribute to the church, including a new app for your smart phone that will allow you to make contributions directly to the church. The app is called Givelify, and, once you set it up on your phone, you can make regular contributions — and even set recurring contributions — right from your phone. Simply install the app, search for First Christian Church Jacksonville, and enter your payment information. Givelify offers a helpful step-by-step guide to making your first contribution on their website.

You can, of course, always give through PayPal or by mailing a check to the church. We are simply looking for convenient, user-friendly ways for us to maintain our stewardship commitments.

Again, if you need assistance of any kind, please do not hesitate to reach out to your church. We will do our best to help if at all possible.