Trustees move to complete planned projects - Virden First Baptist Church
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First Baptist Church
157 W. Jackson St.
Virden, IL 62690
www.virdenfirstbaptist.org
Rev. Gerald Phillips
Interim Pastor
Church PH: 217-965-4028
Cell Ph: 217-358-9577
Debbie Kershaw, Editor
January - February 2021 E-mail: messenger@virdenfirstbaptist.org
Trustees move to complete planned projects
While the absence of services being held in the sanctuary due to the pandemic has left us without the
opportunity to gather together in person each week, it has also provide us with an
opportunity to complete some long talked about yet delayed projects. First and foremost is
the completion of the stage extension and the carpeting on and around it. With no
foreseeable in-person services in the coming weeks, the trustees as well as anyone that
wishes to help them can come in and work on the projects without fear of close contact
with others. The hope is that by the time we are able to return to in person worship, we will
also have all the mess associated with a sanctuary remodel finished. The money for this
particular project is already set aside in the church budget.
Another much needed project is the basement remodel which has plans for a new floor
coating, permanent classrooms, bathroom replacement, new wall paint, soundproofing,
storage, and a dedicated boiler room. We are also exploring an egress window and if possible, the replacement
of the spiral fire escape stairs. Again, this project has funds set aside in the Dorothy Oller memorial to help
cover most if not all of the plans.
Other projects “on the table” or “in discussion” include enclosing the patio to make for much needed storage,
a new office area located in Pitman Hall, sound absorbing panels in Pitman Hall, under sink hot water heaters,
and perhaps even new flooring in Pitman Hall. While some of these may still be in the wish list stage, they are
items that we need to plan for.
At the beginning of the pandemic, giving was being sustained, but reports at the last business meeting shows a
drop in overall giving the past couple of months. Please don’t forget the church as you budget for your own
household, remembering that even when we are not in attendance, there are still utility bills and other expenses
to consider for the church. And if you have extra time on your hands and can help with any of the projects
mentioned above, please give one of the trustees, Steve Kershaw, Jim Hotarek, or Lonnie Crawford a call and
they can help coordinate a time when you can work with sanctuary or basement and other remodel preparation
steps. By working together, we can help improve and maintain our church’s building and prepare for future
projects as well.
Annual Business meeting set
We are planning to try to have our
Annual Business meeting on Sunday,
Board of Christian Education to meet January 24 at 11 am. If possible, we will
have it in Pitman Hall and socially
distance. If COVID concerns do not allow
The Board of Christian
it, we will conduct the business via ZOOM. As the
Education will meet on
date approaches, we will inform you of the details via
Monday, January 11 at 7 PM
One Call. If you are the chairman of a committee or
in Pitman Hall. We will
board, please prepare your 2020 annual report soon.
practice social distancing and
Granted, it has been a difficult year with little to
ask those in attendance to wear a mask, but we need
report because of the limited time we had together,
to meet to make some decisions regarding the
but it is still important to document our progress and
basement remodel as well as some ministry concerns.
our plans for the future. Once completed get your
The CE Board consists of all Sunday School
report to Debbie or to the church by January 19 so
teachers, and Wednesday night leaders.
the booklet can be completed and printed.
January - February 2021 Page 2 of 6
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
Pam Hawkins Jim Hotarek
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ZOOM Bible
Study - 7 PM
Abigail Snodgrass
Patty Englert
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Diaconate Board Board of ZOOM Bible
Meeting via Christian Ed Study - 7 PM
ZOOM - 11 AM meeting - 7 PM
Pitman Hall Meals on Wheels - our turn to deliver
Heather Walters Carol Britenstine Zach Lemar
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
ZOOM Bible
Study - 7 PM
Kyle Brown
Kyle Hawkins Matthew Daniels Due Today! Ryson Scott Abby Dixon
Rick & Linda Gerson Rob Liles
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Annual Business ZOOM Bible
Meeting 11 AM Study - 7 PM Rowan Hawkins
in person if
possible
ZOOM if not Kelsey Parrish
31
Jill Wright
Here we are, January 2021, and almost back square one when this pandemic began. There’s
not much to put on our church calendar because quite frankly we don’t know where this road
is taking us. The Diaconate meets regularly to discuss what the safest options are for our
congregation and so far that has been to ere on the side of caution and return to “virtual”
worship until the numbers start to drop again. Hopefully, the vaccines will begin to be more
widely distributed and people will begin to feel safe and life can begin to return to normal.
There is discussion about resuming Wednesday meals soon, so watch for that announcement
soon. And be sure your phone or email information is up to date so that you won’t miss any
message is sent via the church One Call system.
Until we can resume church life as normal, the one thing we can all do is PRAY. Pray for our
members, friends, and family who are impacted by the virus, and pray that the new year brings
us closer to the end of the pandemic and a return to life together.
January - February 2021 Page 3 of 6
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
ZOOM Bible
Lily Snodgrass Study - 7 PM
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Meals on Wheels - our turn to deliver
Linda Snodgrass David Lewis ZOOM Bible
Study - 7 PM
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
ZOOM Bible
Remmie Scott Study - 7 PM Nevonda Daniels
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
ZOOM Bible
Hayli Moughan Study - 7 PM Trigger Lewis
Julius Turner
28
The parable of the lost ring
Only three years after Paula and Joe Walter married, her wedding ring was lost as she played catch with their
son. Naturally, she was heartbroken. Over the years, whenever family and friends gathered in the back yard, she
urged everyone to look for the ring — but to no avail. Because the yard borders on woods, Paula feared the ring
had flown into the trees, never to be seen again.
But just before the couple’s 40th anniversary, landscapers hired to do work in the yard brought her a surprise:
They’d found the ring — right where Paula had been playing with her child so long ago! Like the woman in
Jesus’ parable who finally found her lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), Paula rejoiced. God too searches until every
person who has strayed or been flung away from the faith is found.
Sometimes the place we rediscover faith is right where we’ve looked before. What makes the difference? A
different person helping us search? Light shining in a different way? We may never know. We simply rejoice —
and so does God.
—Heidi Mann
January - February 2021 Page 4 of 6
Birthday and Anniversary List for First Baptist Church Members and Friends
01-Jan Pam Hawkins 01-Apr Craig Paisley 01-Jul Roger & Gloria 07-Oct Jim & Pat Smith
02-Jan Jim Hotarek 01-Apr Mason Kindred Smith 07-Oct Mike & Debbie
03-Jan Jus�n Liles 02-Apr Drew & Alicia 12-Jul Debbie Liles Liles
07-Jan Abigail Snodgrass Hawkins 14-Jul Audrey Price 07-Oct Jason Sco�
07-Jan Pa�y Englert 04-Apr Beverly 14-Jul Braxton A. Walters 08-Oct Jus�n & Jun
11-Jan Heather Walters Britens�ne 15-Jul Heather Nol�ng Dibler
14-Jan Carol Britens�ne 07-Apr Carter Dibler 18-Jul Linda Gerson 11-Oct Ka�e Kelsey
15-Jan Zach Lemar 07-Apr Debbie Kershaw 19-Jul Kris Cervellone 12-Oct Jaylie Clark
17-Jan Kyle Hawkins 07-Apr Mary Agnes Cain 21-Jul Sharon Crawford 15-Oct Lore�a Lomelino
18-Jan Kyle Brown 07-Apr Michael 29-Jul Debbie Klocke 22-Oct Paisley Parrish
18-Jan Mathew Daniels Moughan 30-Jul Kamden Blake 26-Oct Lizzy Dunn
18-Jan Rick & Linda 10-Apr Jim Smith 02-Aug Macie Brown 27-Oct David & Kaye Liles
Gerson 11-Apr Sophia Hawkins 05-Aug Jay Turner 29-Oct Joshua Snodgrass
20-Jan Rob Liles 14-Apr Cindy Burris Bates 07-Aug Harrison Dibler 31-Oct Kathy Kindred
22-Jan Ryson Sco� 15-Apr Jenna Cormier 08-Aug Lonnie & Sharon 02-Nov Danny Daniels, Jr.
23-Jan Abby Dixon 23-Apr River Hawkins Crawford 03-Nov Tyler Burch
26-Jan Kelsey Parrish 29-Apr Ayden Liles 09-Aug Kim Liles 09-Nov Carol Paisley
29-Jan Rowan Hawkins 30-Apr Helen Burris 14-Aug Steve Kershaw 10-Nov Jill & Mark Wright
31-Jan Jill Wright 02-May Kathy Price 15-Aug Tim Snodgrass 14-Nov Roger Smith
01-Feb Lily Snodgrass 05-May Tom Cervellone 16-Aug Heather & Kevin 23-Nov Gloria Smith
07-Feb Linda Snodgrass 09-May Bri� Lilly Nol�ng 26-Nov Alicia Hawkins
08-Feb David Lewis 09-May Allie Wright 16-Aug Ronan Sco� 01-Dec Justyn Moughan
15-Feb Remi Sco� 13-May Adam Cervellone 17-Aug Drew Hawkins 03-Dec Danielle Burch
18-Feb Nevonda Daniels 14-May Janis Hawkins 18-Aug Linda Liles 06-Dec Kyle & Pam
22-Feb Hayli Moughan 20-May Michael Wright 20-Aug Aiden Brown Hawkins
22-Feb Andrew Clark 21-May Ben Clark 25-Aug Alex Walters 07-Dec Mike Liles
25-Feb Trigger Lewis 21-May Ryan Brown 26-Aug Tracy Lewis 10-Dec Steve & Vicki
25-Feb Julius Turner 25-May John Parrish 26-Aug Amanda Clark Perkins
03-Mar Rory Sco� 25-May Steve Perkins 27-Aug Libby Klocke 11-Dec Danny Daniels, Sr.
04-Mar Lonnie Crawford 26-May Vicki Perkins 28-Aug Breighyn Schwehr 11-Dec Breanna Davis
04-Mar Peyton Parrish 31-May John & Kelsey 01-Sep Jim & Lynda 12-Dec Jus�n Dixon
07-Mar Aiden Snodgrass Parrish Hotarek 12-Dec Brendan Parrish
09-Mar Jane Primrose 02- Jun Ben & Amanda 09-Sep Freddie Britz 13-Dec Piper Parrish
11-Mar Kelsie Perkins Clark 10-Sep Cole Dixon 17-Dec Maggie Hawkins
14-Mar Bob Dibler 06-Jun Rick Gerson 19-Sep Brianna Walters 20-Dec Mike & Janis
16-Mar Cole Langley 07-Jun Tom Dibler 22-Sep Tony Kershaw Hawkins
19-Mar Samantha Jackson 13-Jun Lynda Hotarek 24-Sep Mike Hawkins 22-Dec Edgar Lewis
21-Mar Danny & Nevonda 17-Jun Tom & Kris 28-Sep Ryan Burch 22-Dec Joey Langley
Daniels Cervellone 29-Sep Barb Taylor 23-Dec Jesse Dixon
21-Mar Maddie Lomelino 18-Jun Steve & Debbie 30-Sep Jennifer Brown 23-Dec Pat Smith
22-Mar Kaye Liles Kershaw 30-Sep Jus�n Dibler 25-Dec Mike Price
27-Mar Jennifer Bates 30-Jun Jim Wright 02-Oct Stacy Moughan 29-Dec Mazie Kelsey
30-Mar Rita Flynn 30-Jun Mark Wright 07-Oct David Liles 29-Dec Ruby Lewis
Please submit any changes to Debbie Kershaw or go
online www.virdenfirstbaptist.org
January - February 2021 Page 5 of 6
What Should a Christian Do
….In This Pandemic?
Hopefully, this is a question we all are asking. And, it is no small question.
Our world, our nation in particular, is seriously divided about this
pandemic. Those differences include its seriousness, its reality, its
remedy and its management. For the follower of Jesus it takes some
effort to sort out from the conflicting attitudes a position that makes sense
and would honor the teachings of our Lord. My purpose is to give you
some “handles” to take hold of in this confusing time.
Is this Covid-19 for real? Some fairly loud voices have been saying that this pandemic is a “hoax.”
With 20 million cases and more than 340,000 deaths from it, it defies reality and common sense and
shows a serious need to get real about the world we all live in. A 30 year-old Texas man attended a
“coronavirus party” thinking that Covid-19 was a hoax. He discovered too late that it was all too real.
He died from the disease. But before he died he said, “I think I made a mistake. I thought it was a
hoax, but it’s not.” Carol Winner, a public health expert and 30-year veteran of the CDC and National
Institutes of Health said, “People are dying all over the world and making this about political motives
make no sense.”
As I write this (12-31-20) the current report indicates there have been more than 340,000 deaths, a
figure that includes 3,300 yesterday. That is more than died in the 9/11 attacks or at Pearl Harbor on
12-7-41.
How should I respond? Probably the worst possible response is to ignore Covid-19. Some do, and
they do so at risk to themselves and those close to them. It is really hard to ignore the reality of the
problem and the death and illness that results from it. Even if I choose to ignore the risk to myself, I
have many clear instructions from Christ to show concern for the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the
sick, the hungry and those needing clothes. We can be thankful if we have avoided the disease, but
there are so many who have not. While it is not a good idea to ignore the virus; it is inexcusable for a
Christian to ignore the crisis this pandemic has produced in our “neighborhood.”
Should I wear a mask; do social distancing? As with most everything about Covid-19 there is not
total agreement on this matter. It appears the scientific community is unanimous that we should use
these simple actions to reduce the community spreading of the disease. This is regarded as
amazingly effective in helping slow the spread. Dr. Fauci has said that this action on the part of most
people, linked with the use of the new (and very effective) vaccine should make it possible to get us
past this pandemic in 2021.
There’s more to the “mask” story. Beyond the medically encouraged practice of wearing a mask, it
is important to review what masks do. While wearing a mask may give some protection to the wearer,
the big reason is to provide protection to those we are around. In other words, if I care about you and
would like to protect you, I will wear a mask. If I refuse to wear one, I am saying that I do not care
enough about you to be bothered. Some feel their freedom is damaged if they are required to wear a
mask. This is an empty defense that simply conveys a self-centered attitude. If you are unwilling to be
inconvenienced by wearing a mask to protect others; you have missed some of Christ’s clearest
teachings. For example: Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of
all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Mt 7:12 NLT .
If all of us can take seriously our role as a Christian in this pandemic, then it is possible that more and
more of us will, indeed, have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Pastor Jerry
January - February 2021 Page 6 of 6
ABWM - From Shoe boxes to Blessing Bags
The American Baptist Missionary Society (ABWM) of First Baptist would like to thank
those who filled shoe boxes back in November. As a reminder, they do not have the extra funds
in their account to support the shipping costs that were incurred. If you prepared a box but
forgot to donate the $9 needed to ship it, would you please help the ABWM by making that
donation soon? Please see Gloria Smith or Helen Burris with your gift.
The ladies’ next project will be making care bags to be distributed to the homeless. Though
the ABWM will not be able to meet in person until the pandemic threat subsides, they are
beginning to collect items to prepare those. You can help them out by collecting things now.
Here is a list of things needed for both men and women:
• soaps, cloths, toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant,
• Plastic pencil boxes, note books, pencils, erasers, sharpeners,
• razors, lotion, shampoo, tissues
• socks, gloves, scarves, rain ponchos
• cookies, small snack foods, etc.
• Small New Testament Bibles
The ABWM plans to make draw string bags from heavy material to put every thing in. These “blessing bags”
once completed will be for sale for $10-$12 each. The idea is that you can purchase one or more to carry in your
car to hand out to someone you see in need. Please contact any ABWM member and let them know how you
want to help in their effort.
First Baptist Church
157 W. Jackson St.
Virden, IL 62690
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