CABC at Home - 
Our Response to COVID-19

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" (Psalm 122:1)

​We are now gathering at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for worship in our sanctuary. Click here to read the precautions we are taking and to know how to prepare for joining us.

We know some of our church family is safer at home, and we will continue to offer online options for you to join us in fellowship, worship, discipleship, and service. Below, you will find links to some of the ways we are doing that. Some other things you can do:
  • At noon each day, stop and pray, knowing that our church family will be joining in prayer from wherever we are. Pray for one another, our community leaders, first responders and health care professionals, and the vulnerable in our communities.
  • We can all still stay connected to one another- through calls, texts, and letters. Pull out your church directory and make some calls. This may be an opportunity for us to draw closer to one another!
If you have other suggestions or concerns, please let us know! If you need help with any of the technology aspects of this, contact Pastor Melissa and she will talk you through it.

We know these are uncertain times, but what is certain is that we are not alone. God is present with all of us, and we are still the church, whether we are gathered together or spread apart. Let us love God and love our neighbors well during this time!

Blessings, 
​Church Council
Deacons
​Church Staff

Worship

Even as we begin gathering again in our sanctuary for worship, we will continue providing an online worship experience, including a written order of worship, as a way for you worship in your home. Each week (by Thursday or Friday), we will send out by e-mail a link to an order of worship. On Sundays, we will livestream worship from our sanctuary to our Facebook page, and it will be posted on our YouTube page and our webpage. The written order of worship and other resources are available here. 

Pastoral Care

​Our deacons and Pastor Melissa are now doing in-person visits if they are requested, and are also checking on members via phone and regularly checking on those who are more vulnerable among us to see if they have particular needs as well.

If you have or become aware of a need, or if you are able to assist others through shopping for groceries or other essentials, please call the church office or contact Pastor Melissa.​

Children's Ministry

We have recorded several children's stories and family devotions which can be found on Youtube and Facebook. Links to the videos and some additional fun ideas to go with the stories can be found here: http://bit.ly/pbjkidsstory

You can also check out Compassion Camp under the Children's Ministry section of our website for great Bible studies, crafts, games, and more.

Here are some other helpful resources for families doing faith formation at home:

Youth Ministry

Our youth are now gathering in person on Sunday evenings from 6-8 p.m. in the picnic shelter at Colonial Presbyterian Church. We practice physical distancing and ask that youth wear a mask when we are moving around. 

​On Wednesdays, we are gathering from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for Study Hall. While the weather is good, we are meeting in the picnic pavilion at Colonial Presbyterian Church.

We also encourage using the daily devotional 
d365.org.

Bible Study

Our current Bible study, a study of the Lord's Prayer, is led by Rev. Steven Harris on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. You may join us in person in the fellowship hall (masks are required) or by  Zoom. To join from your computer, smart phone, or tablet, use this link: https://zoom.us/j/702795705

You may be asked to download the Zoom app, and it is safe to do so. You can choose to just join by audio, but we think it will do us all good to see each other’s faces!

Here is a video tutorial to help you learn how to use Zoom: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting

Missions

Our Missions Committee is looking for help with a new note writing project to bring light to Nursing/Rehabilitation Center residents. We began by sending cards to  Springtree Nursing and Rehab. This week, we are sending things to Friendship South. The activities department is looking forward to receiving and sharing these with their residents. All you need to do is:
  1. Write an encouraging note(s) to a resident(s) and sign your first name.
  2. Mail the note to Friendship South Activities Department, 5647 Starkey Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018, and use the church's return address (Colonial Avenue Baptist Church, 4165 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24018)​
If you don't have stamps, just drop notes in the letter box on the wall outside the church entrance and we will mail them for you. 

If you have children, grandchildren, etc., we encourage them to write notes, make cards, draw or color pictures as well!  We would love for them to get involved! 

Finances

We know that this is an uncertain and difficult time financially for many people. If you have an immediate need, please contact the church office so that we can find assistance for you.

As we keep that in mind, please know that as we navigate these uncertain times as a congregation, the ministry of the church continues. Please continue to give your tithes and offerings, either by mailing a check, giving through the church website, or setting up a payment plan through your bank.