A Few Words on Health, Prayer and Worship (updated 3/14 at 9:50 a.m.)

Saturday morning update:

As you may already know, it was announced Friday evening that Montana now has 4 active cases of the COVID-19 virus with one being a person in Gallatin County.  It was reported this morning that this individual likely contracted it while traveling internationally and had been limiting his exposure by staying at home as much as possible.  The Gallatin Valley Health Department is still classifying the public risk in Bozeman as low.  Kudos to this individual for their caution and regard for the community and while we don't know his name, we ask God to grant healing and a full recovery to this person.

At this time, we will remain closely tuned to any further developments.  It is important that we all do our part to help prevent respiratory illnesses from spreading in our communities. If you are experiencing fever, chills, cough or shortness of breath, we encourage you to stay at home and worship with us by utilizing the livestream and recorded sermons and Bible Studies here on our website.  Also, remember to wash your hands with soap frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes, and use hand sanitizer.


Friday, March 13th

Dear Friends in Christ,

We're seeing a number of important changes in our world due to the COVID-19 pandemic: restrictions on travel, conferences and sporting events are on hold, and yesterday we learned that the Montana University System will largely switch to online classes following next week's spring break.  We live in interesting times!

At FLC, we turn to prayer and preparation rather than panic: "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Psalm 91).  We remain open for worship and ministry - if you have any health issues, please contact the church office with any needs and prayer requests.  During worship, both individual and common cup will continue to be available at the communion rail.  If you wish to refrain from shaking hands during the sharing of the peace, that's okay - a friendly wave and a smile also convey that fellowship.

If you are feeling unwell or are considered "at risk" and decide that staying home is warranted, you're still able to worship with us!  Our worship services and Sunday Bible study are broadcast live on our website each week and we post recordings of the sermons and Bible studies online for those who are ill or traveling.  We will continue to use email, social media and announcements at church to let you know of any important developments.  If you ever need assistance in using these electronic resources, don't hesitate to reach out to me!

I'll close this out with some prevention tips from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services  and a helpful graphic sent out to us by the LCMS office in St. Louis:

"Montana state and local public health officials are monitoring the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation very closely.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, you can take simple steps to protect yourself, your family and the community:

  • Stay home if you’re sick,
  • Avoid contact with sick people when possible,
  • Cover your cough and sneezes with the crook of your elbow or a tissue
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If you can’t access soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe."

Yours in Christ,

Sean Austin
Chairman, Lay Leader Board
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 
 

FLC TV - March 8 Sermon - John 3: God Offers Us The Pie, Not The Crumbs

John 3:1-13: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

FLC TV - March 4 Sermon - John 11: What A Plot Twist!

John 11:38-44: Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

FLC TV - March 1 Sermon - Matthew 4: Not Alone In The Face of Satan’s Temptations

Matthew 4:1-11: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

FLC TV - February 26 Sermon - John 11: Dead But Called To New Life

John 11:17-27: On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

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