Mountain Plain Baptist Church

4281 Old Three Notched Road,

Charlottesville, VA 22901

Web site: mountainplain.org

Dr. Sam Kellum, pastor

Yay! Church services resume Sunday, June 21 at 9:00 AM.

PLAINLY SPEAKING The

Mountain Plain Baptist Church Newsletter

June 15-21, 2020

I lift up my eyes to the hills —

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Favorite Memes

If you get an email with the subject ”Knock Knock,” don’t open it. It’s a Jehovah’s Witness working from home.

Has everyone picked out their outfits to wear to the living room?

My Grocery List:

1 Don’t run into anyone I know.

2. Eggs ...

Weekday Bible study videos are

posted on the Mountain Plain

Facebook page.

Weekly audio sermons are posted on

the church website.

Some other changes Next week as we shift back to a more normal

church schedule we will dial back our online and

multimedia ventures.

For those who cannot (or should not) attend the

worship services in person, the weekly sermon

will be posted on the church website.

Sunday school will remain on Zoom for the time

being, but will switch from Sunday mornings to

Wednesday evenings from 7:00—8:00 PM. The

study guide is available to download for anyone

who would like to join in.

We will post on Facebook the final episodes of

our brief Bible study through 1 John.

The printing press will go into storage as we

celebrate the brief but glorious run of Plainly

Speaking, the Mountain Plain Baptist Church

Newsletter.

Pastor’s Message Proverbs 28:8-14

He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.

He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

Birthdays: 6/20 June Seal

6/21 Jacob Gauss

6/21 Kathy Bagby

Anniversaries: 6/16 Randy & Doris Davis

Help is Available

Even as we resume church services and life begins to creep back toward normalcy, there are still many people who must be cautious about going out in public. Church mem-bers continue to volunteer to help with picking up items from the pharmacy and grocery store, and with transportation to appoint-ments. Let the church office know if you have a need.

One Sunday morning as the prelude concluded I stepped up to the pulpit and somewhat sheepishly announced, “I don’t want to make too big a deal out of this, but I’ve begun to hear talk of a virus going around overseas, and maybe you have too. Hopefully it won’t affect us, but at the risk of seeming silly I think we shouldn’t hug or shake hands for a few weeks.”

That was March 8. It was last time we would worship together for over three months. But now our days in the wilderness are coming to an end! We plan to resume worshiping together on Sunday, June 21. Initially, things will be a little different:

1.The service will be held outside in the picnic area. This will allow us to remain a safe distance from one another and minimize risk. We anticipate holding services outdoors for a few weeks before returning to the sanctuary when it seems wise to do so.

2.The service will be held at 9:00 AM, and will be shorter than normal. It is cooler in the morning and there is lots of shade in that area of the church yard. I anticipate gathering for about 35 minutes.

3. While singing together is one of the things we miss most, it is highly discouraged by health experts so there will be no hymns during these first services.

4. Chairs will be available, but you are encour-aged to bring your own lawn chair.

5. The wearing of masks will be an individual choice.

6. This is, of course, weather dependent. Pray for no rain, as it would cancel the service.

7. Please reserve the parking spaces closest to the picnic area for those who wish to remain in their cars.

8. Two offering baskets will be positioned on trees so that we don’t need to pass a plate. Written prayer concerns can also be placed in these baskets. They will be shared with the prayer team and the church family.

Sadly, we will still not be able to hug or shake hands — or maybe even see each others’ smiles. But for the joy of being able to gather again and worship God together that is a deal I will take in a heartbeat.

I can’t wait to see you at Mountain Plain on June 21 as we celebrate God’s goodness to us and thank Him for guiding us through this challenge.