CABC at Home - 
Our Response to COVID-19

After carefully and prayerfully considering the information currently available to us concerning COVID-19, we have decided that in an effort to contribute to the community-wide effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, all in-person services and activities are canceled until the governor's stay at home order is lifted in Virginia. We will be monitoring this fluid situation and making decisions about future days as things change. Please know that this decision is being made not out of fear, but with the peace of God guiding us as we care for the most vulnerable in our church and community. We are a church who loves well, and this is one more way that we can do so. While we will not be gathering physically, we can still worship, serve, and be the body of Christ. Below you will find links to many of the ways we hope to do 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,
Rev. Melissa Scott, Associate Pastor
Bob Crawford and John Pruitt, Deacon Chairs

Worship

While we can’t be together physically to worship, we will be 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, a worship video will be uploaded to our Facebook page, and Pastor Melissa will host a watch party at 10:30 a.m. so that we can worship at the same time, even if we aren't together physically. The video will remain on our Facebook page and YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/cabcyoutube), and the written order of worship and other resources are available here: bit.ly/cabcathome

Holy Week Devotions

​For Holy Week, it is is our tradition to join with Colonial Presbyterian Church for services, and while we cannot gather physically this year, we will still be joining with our brothers and sisters digitally. We have provided a devotion that may be used each day of Holy Week. It can be downloaded here: bit.ly/CABCholyweek.

Each day, starting on Palm Sunday, you are invited to set time aside, create a space in your home, read scripture, and share in an activity that will retell that powerful and loving story of our salvation. If you wish, you may check our website or facebook page each day for a short video leading you through the devotion. One way we can share this experience together is to send us pictures of your home’s centerpiece (described in the devotional), and we will share them on Easter Sunday. 

Pastoral Care

​Our deacons and Pastor Melissa will not be doing in-person visits unless requested, but will be 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 will be offering a virtual story and devotion time on Tuesdays and Thursdays for our children on our church Facebook page. Links to the videos and some additional fun ideas to go with the stories can be found here: http://bit.ly/pbjkidsstory

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

Bible Study

How can we turn this forced isolation into a time of holy Sabbath? That's what we'll be discussing in our online Bible study on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. using the Zoom app. 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 are beginning with one facility this week which is Springtree Nursing and Rehab. 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 Springtree Nursing & Rehab Center Activities Department, 3433 Springtree Dr., NE, Roanoke, VA 24012, 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. 

Youth Ministry

Our youth will be staying in touch by text messages and social media and gathering on Sunday evenings through a Zoom call for fellowship and a devotion.​ The link for the Zoom call will be sent directly to our youth.

We also encourage using the daily devotional 
d365.org.