Tonight is our first week of our series we're calling May Mayhem.
I can't say the word 'mayhem' or read it without thinking of the insurance commercials with the character "Mayhem." I'll be honest with you: watching those commercials gives me anxiety. I don't want to see the disaster that is about to happen. I want to tell "Mayhem" to make good choices. I just can't handle it.
Mayhem is defined as "chaos, disorder, confusion." Maybe a better way of describing Mayhem right now is just saying "the year 2020." When there is mayhem, we look for things we can grab on and hold tight to. There might be things that will comfort us for a little bit, but unless we are grabbing on to Jesus and holding tight to what the Bible says about God's love for us, those other things will not give us the comfort and peace that God graciously bestows upon us as his sons and daughters.
We give Four Facts to cling to from Psalm 33 tonight. I encourage you to talk about these Four Facts with your family this week. How can you remind each other of these Four Facts? How can you be there for each other, gently reminding each other of the Four Facts in the middle of mayhem?
We mayhem erupts, we have to find things that are firm. We have to hold on to things that won't be uprooted. Praise be to God, to the Lord Jesus Christ, that while we live in mayhem, while we experience chaos, God is the one that grounds us, that gently pulls us back to the things that are true, lovely, pure, and right.
As a MSM, we remain focused on connecting with you as parents and with your students. We are aware that not every Middle School student has access to social media-and that's a good thing! We want to use platforms that are accessible to all students.
1) Parent Texting Updates If you would like to receive updates on the latest MSM emails, YouTube videos, and encouragement during this chaotic season, text parentsofmsm to 97000.
2) Student Texting Updates If your student would like to receive daily encouragement and other MSM updates, they can text thebasement to 97000.
3) Up In The Basement YouTube Channel Our YouTube Channel is UpInTheBasement: youtube.com/UpInTheBasement. We have been posting videos over the last week and will continue to. If you and/or your student would like to read a passage of Scripture to be posted on the channel, please let me know.
4) Marco Polo App If you and/or your student would like to connect with myself or his/her Small Group Leader, we encourage you to download the Marco Polo app. You can add me by typing in my number: (701)425-6115. Marco Polo is not a social media app; think of it like a "walkie talkie" app where you talk directly to one person or a group of people that only you have given permission to contact you. The video messages are not public. This is how we as MSM Youth Leaders and SGLs are connecting with each other during this time of social distancing.
5) Social Media We will continue to post to the following social media accounts.
We understand that this situation brings a long list of issues along with it. There are more and more needs that continue to arise each and every day. Century Baptist is a family of believers that loves other people and we love our city.
We want to encourage each and every person to check in on their neighbors and do what they can to provide for their immediate needs. Hebrews 13:16 challenges us to, “do what is good and to share, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Thank you for being the Church.
If you know of a need that you cannot provide for or if you are currently in need, please contact us immediately at 223-0478 or email becky@centurybaptist.org and let us know how we can help.
Understanding that ministry is continuing in a number of ways during this crisis and ministry needs continue to grow, we are providing multiple options for you to continue your faithful giving to Century Baptist: Online at centurybaptist.org/give ; Text CENTURYBAPTIST to 73256 ; Mail check to 205 Colt Ave, Bismarck, ND.
Diaper, Wipes & Feminine Hygiene Products Drive
Update: Most Needed – Diapers size 4, 5, 6 and Pull-ups.
Our community contains people who struggle to purchase daily necessities including diapers, baby wipes, tampons, and feminine pads. This pandemic is beginning to expose those needs in our community with a wider lens. Coupled with jobs being lost and furloughed we will likely see more needs beyond this. Right now we are inviting you to help meet this need.
Drop off items Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00pm and Thursday evening 7:00-8:30pm. If you arrive early just leave them by the doors as someone we will be there soon.
This need came to Pastor Paul Herr via Bismarck Public Schools and our goal is to collect these items through May 22 and get them into the hands of families in need via BPS personnel. Questions? Call or text Pastor Paul Herr at 701-471-7808.
A Call to Prayer
Thursday | May 14 | 7:30-8:15pm
Join us for this online prayer time as your pastors will lead you in moments of guided prayer and you will have an opportunity to pray for each other. This week’s prayer focus is on the beatitudes. Registration is required. Email pherr@centurybaptist.org to register.
After registering you will receive a link to access the online gathering.
RESTART DATE
We are excited to announce that as our community is beginning to re-open, and to celebrate God's work over the past number of weeks through the body of Christ, we are calling the Century Baptist Church family to come together on SUNDAY, MAY 17th for ONE Sunday morning worship service at 10AM in our south parking lot!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The plan for the 17th is to use the south parking lot as our gathering place and the north parking lot as our parking area. Please bring lawn chairs for your family as the number available folding chairs is extremely limited.
We will not be offering any Sunday School classes or children's ministry on the 17th.
We will all be expected to do our best to manage the requests for healthy distancing. As a family that is for one another, we would expect that each and every person cooperate in this manner by respecting one another's boundaries, opinions, and desire to remain healthy.
If you are not able to attend or would desire to continue to connect with CBC worship services, we will continue to offer our online and televised worship service on Sunday morning at 10am.
We will continue to update you with more details on the worship service (as well as future services) at centurybaptist.org.
Thank you for your patience and support during this season. We continue to pray for you on a daily basis. You are loved, cared for, and prayed for. If there is anything you need at this time, please connect with me. I'd be glad to chat with you.
Sincerely,
April Wahl, Middle School Director april@centurybaptist.org
Office: (701)223-0478
Cell: (701)425-6115
