We are here for you!

We realize that this can be a difficult and stressful time for many of our church members. As this stay-at-home order continues to be in effect and many of you are unable to work, financial hardships can be an issue. Concerns and worry about the virus, financial issues, being stuck at home, etc. can be creating emotional and psychological stress. Your spiritual wellness many be struggling as we are unable to worship together and connect with church family on a regular basis. <br><br>We are here for you!! If you need assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Let us know how we can pray for you! You can submit a confidential request through our website (southhavenfbc.com) or by emailing either Pastor Jerry or Kim directly. In addition, we have persons willing to shop for those who cannot go to the store themselves or help in other ways too.<br><br>While we do not have unlimited financial resources, we do have some funds available. If you are in a good spot and willing/able to help others in need, perhaps you would consider a donation to our Benevolent Fund to help those who are struggling during this time. <br><br>We are all in this together! If you have suggestions or ideas about how we can support one another, please let us know.

COVID-19/ Coronavirus Status

· <b><i>Current Status</i></b>: In addition to all FBC activities being cancelled until further notice, we are prohibiting access to the building to everyone unless specific permission has been granted by Pastor Jerry. If you need to come to the church, please contact Pastor Jerry in advance. <br>· <b><i>Communication is Important!</i></b> The key to getting through this is to communicate and continue to support each other however we can. Kim Collins will be working from home as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact her via church email, or by calling/texting her cell at 269-767-2226 if you have any questions or need assistance (grocery delivery, meals, etc.)during this time. We have church members ready and willing to help.<br>· <i><b>Be Safe:</b></i> Please be smart in safeguarding yourselves—not only for your sake, but for the sake of others. If you are sick, stay home.<br>· <b><i>Be Faithful:</i></b> Please be financially faithful. Even if you cannot gather with us, please remember that we still have expenses that need to be met.<br>· <b><i>Be Prayerful:</i></b> Please be in prayer for one another and for our nation at large.

Happy Birthday!

· Camille Tate (5/28)<br>· Lauren Collins (5/29)<br>· Nathan Hagger (5/29)

Happy Anniversary!

· Rocky &amp; Sandi Starland (5/27, 48 years)

Send a Note of Encouragement

If you'd like to send a bit of encouragement to John Ellis while he is at boot camp, his address is:<br><i>PVT Ellis, Johnathon</i><br><i>2nd PLT Savages</i><br><i>Charlie Battery, 1st BN 79th FA</i><br><i>5970 South Boundary Road</i><br><i>Fort Sill, OK 73503</i>

Attention Graduates

We know this year is way different than years past, but we want to be prepared and plan to recognize our college and high school graduates once we are able to resume worship. We want to be sure that we don’t miss anybody! If you will be graduating, please contact the church office no later than Sunday, May 31. Also, if you let us know when your graduation open house will hopefully be, we would be more than happy to help spread the word through our communications. Please email your info to southhavenfbc@gmail.com.

Flower Bed Maintenance Needed

Spring is finally here and we need help maintaining the church’s flowerbeds. If you're looking for a reason to get out of the house and yet still maintain your social distancing, feel free to stop by church at your convenience and pull weeds from whatever flowerbed catches your eye. If you contact us in advance, we can arrange for the garage to be open so you can get tools, otherwise feel free to bring your own. Once life returns to normal, we'll work on adopting flower beds as we have in the past.

We Care Pantry Collections

The We Care Food and Personal Care Pantries continue to need supplies. We suggest calling ahead to make sure someone is there to receive your items. If you are able to help.<br><br><b>Food Pantry</b><br>First Congregational Church<br>651 Phoenix Street<br>269-637-3804 <br>Suggested items are:<br>· Cereal<br>· Dry Pasta<br>· Canned Vegetables<br>· Canned Fruit<br>· Tuna<br>· Spaghetti Sauce<br>· Crackers<br>· Rice-A-Roni<br>· Pork &amp; Beans<br>· Canned Soup<br>· Peanut Butter<br>· Oatmeal<br><br><b>Personal Care Pantry</b><br>First Assembly of God Church <br>06500 Blue Star Hwy<br>269-637-1286<br>Suggested items are:<br>· Shampoo<br>· Conditioner<br>· Body Soap<br>· Deodorant<br>· Toothbrushes<br>· Toothpaste<br>· Feminine Items<br>· Shaving Cream<br>· Razors<br>· Dish Soap<br>· Laundry Detergent<br>· Cleaning Supplies<br>· Trash Bags<br>· Toilet Paper<br>· Paper Towels<br><br>For questions, contact the church office. Thank you for helping those in our community who are in need.

Opportunities Via Zoom Video Conferences

· <i>Children's Sunday School</i>...Janette Hendrix is leading this class for children ages 5 years through 5th grade via Zoom on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15 AM. If you'd like your child to be included, please contact Janette.<br><br>· <i>Youth Group</i>...Allie Wilson is working on getting this group together via Zoom. If your middle or high school teen is interested in participating, please contact Allie.<br><br>· <i>Women's Bible Study</i>...Brandy Zantello is leading this group via Zoom on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:40 PM. They are currently studying "The Armor of God" by Priscilla Shirer. If you're interested in joining, please contact Brandy.<br><br>· <i>Bible Study</i>...Vasha Ferguson is leading this group via Zoom on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9:30 AM. They are currently studying the book of James. If you're interested in joining, please contact Vasha.<br><br><i>If you would like to use the church’s Zoom account to have an unlimited time slot to connect with your family/friends (instead of the 40 minutes Zoom allows for free accounts), please contact Kim for more information.</i>

Weekly Prayer List

· <b>Eric Brower</b> is recovering at home following two procedures to have a massive blood clot removed.<br>· <b>The family of Chan</b> (former neighbor of John &amp; Debbie Owens) who passed away in her sleep on 5/14 during recovery from Covid-19. <br>· <b>Mike &amp; Laura Underwood and their family</b> (daughter of Rocky &amp; Sandi Starland) upon the passing of Laura’s father-in-law, Mike Underwood, on 5/7.<br>· <b>Lynn Rarick</b> continues to deal with hip issues. Pray that a resolution can be figured out.<br>· <b>Elijah Truer</b> (nephew of Doug &amp; Julie Zantello) continues to recover from surgery requiring 14 pins and 2 plates for a broken leg following a skateboarding accident. <br>· <b>Alyssa Zantello</b> (niece of Doug &amp; Julie Zantello) who is a physician's assistant and has traveled to New York City to help with the corona virus outbreak there. Pray for safety and protection as well as energy and stamina as she serves in this way. <br>· <b>Crystal Jennings</b> (sister of Tracy Marshall’s brother-in-law, Louie) is diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She has begun chemo. Pray for treatments to be successful. Also pray that Louie isn’t a genetic carrier of the breast cancer gene and that it hasn’t passed to his daughters (Tracy’s nieces).<br>· <b>Nancy Crowner </b>(friend of Jean Robinson) is recovering from breast cancer surgery. <br>· <b>Allen Quinn</b> (34 year-old nephew of Jim &amp; Marialice Quinn) is recovering from a massive brain stem stroke that resulted in Locked-In Syndrome. He continues therapy in Grand Rapids and is slowly improving.<br>· <b>Anna, Gabe, Samantha and Caroline Bocock</b> have all been diagnosed with Lyme disease. <br>· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.