Update September 17, 2020
I was notified today that on Sunday we had a volunteer in our church who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. After attending church on Sunday, they experienced some of the symptoms and went in to be tested on Monday. This person was notified on 16 September that they tested positive and then notified me.
As a result of this we are proactively taking the following precautionary steps.
- Church Staff will self quarantine
- All church activities will be cancelled through September 27th.
Unfortunately this impacts a few key events Kathy Curry's album release planned for Friday night as well as the KBA conference on Saturday September 19th as well as our Young at Heart event on September 23rd
I apologize that we need to take these precautionary actions but this is the recommended course of action.
The service will be live-streamed for the next two Sundays at 10:45 AM CST and will be the message only. Join us online at https://www.youtube.com/TBCCentralia or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TempleBaptistCentralia
Please keep me posted should you or anyone in your immediate family test positive.
-Pastor Ronnie
TBCC ACTIVITIES STARTING TO RESUME STARTING MAY 31ST.
temple family
UPDATE MAY 28TH
DOWNLOAD THE FULL LETTER BY RIGHT CLICKING
For the last 9 weeks we have abided by government policies during the pandemic. This has resulted in our exclusive use of online, instead of in-person, corporate worship. To date in Marion County there have been 48 confirmed cases with 35 recovered and zero deaths.
In a May 19 letter, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband wrote: "Religious gatherings may not be singled out for unequal treatment compared to other nonreligious gatherings that have the same effect on the government's public health interest, absent the most compelling reasons."
I anticipate that very shortly Governor Pritzker will recognize the importance of giving equal treatment to churches and that worship services can be conducted safely and responsibly. We want a road map and clear guidance where churches are being treated on an equal basis. With that anticipation your TBCC staff is preparing to resume corporate worship July 12th regardless of the governor's order.
Just as the government is trusting others to reopen businesses, we expect that same trust to be extended to churches who are providing for their communities during this crisis. We are working hard in planning out a path back to worship in line with the CDC guidance for communities of faith. Given the dynamic nature of this situation we plan to operate in a very agile manner to make any needed adjustments on a weekly basis. Know that we are prepared and ready to take necessary actions to reopen our facility in a safe and responsible manner.
Starting on June 7th your staff will be at the church on Sundays from 10:00 AM until Noon. The building will be open, we invite you to join us for prayer at 10:30 AM and to watch the live stream in our worship center.
Beginning July 12th we will start to broadcast our Sunday morning worship service LIVE. We invite you to join us in person or continue to worship with us online. You can DOWNLOAD THE FULL LETTER BY RIGHT CLICKING and on pages 2 & 3 review actions you can take to help us make this a safe transition.
On July 15th at 6 PM we will be holding our quarterly business meeting. Please make every effort to attend this business meeting.
-Pastor Ronnie
UPDATE MAY 5TH
I am excited to announce that with the recent change in the Illinois Shelter in Place directive we are entering Phase I as we begin to open things back up at church. Starting next Wednesday (May 13th) we will start holding a Wednesday midweek Prayer meeting at 5 PM. Based on that turnout we will scale appropriately.
Sunday service will continue to be held online through May 30th.
UPDATE APRIL 26th
I miss physically gathering together as a congregation! And I know that you do too!
Technology has been a blessing by allowing us to continue a weekly service even though we cannot physically meet together at the TBCC campus. It has now been six weeks since we have been able to worship together as a congregation, and if you are like me then you are looking forward to coming back together again.
Our desire is not only that we come back together (your staff is planning something great for you) but we want to come back to worship in a safe and responsible manner.
I wanted to answer the question that most are asking about gathering together again physically at Temple.
When will TBCC gather together again?
Once the Governor gives the approval for gatherings of at least 50 people, then your Leadership Team will set the date for our first Sunday back for worship.
During the month of May you will see an increase in the use of technology to create virtual meetings via FaceTime, Zoom or Ring Central or other technologies. While technology can be frustrating at times, it is a great option. If you have trouble connecting, have no fear, you are not alone. Simply reach out to your TBCC staff and we will help you get connected based on the technology you have access to.
-Pastor Ronnie
Join us online each Sunday at 10:45 AM or catch up by watching anytime during the week. https://tbccentralia.online.church
UPDATE APRIL 2nd
As part of the state’s effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Gov. Pritzker has extended the stay-at-home order through April 30.
Supporting this effort, we have cancelled all TBCC activities through the same time period. Unfortunately this will include Easter Sunday April 12th.
Join us online this Sunday at 10:45 AM https://tbccentralia.online.church
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There is a serious and real threat to people in our community and around the world. How we respond in love to our community will reveal our faith in Jesus, as well as the value we place on human life and the vulnerable people in our community. Join me in stepping into this season not from a mindset of fear, but of love.
This is unknown territory for me as pastor, our church, and this nation. I along with the advice and support of your deacons simply desire to make the best decision we can from a place of faith with the information we have.
In light of the growing national concerns and precautions many organizations are taking as they pertain to the spread of COVID-19, we will hold our Sunday service online only. Our online service will begin at 10:45am. It will be on YouTube and Facebook live, so it will be very easy for you to join us so we can worship together. I will also email a direct link to everyone to make it as easy as possible.
Even though our venue is changing, technology allows us to do something that a year ago would have been impossible at TBCC. This is a great opportunity to gather in your home with your family and worship together as you watch online. Our services will air Sunday, March 22nd and 29th, at 10:45 am and can be replayed any time after that. So, please participate and attend from your home. Also, this will be a great opportunity to engage your friends and neighbors by sharing our online service with them.
The church is not closing its doors on being the church. The church has always been a gathering of people. With your help, it is possible to be “socially distant and spiritually connected.” As I stated in the first week of “I Love This Place,” the church is not a building. Now, we have an opportunity to live that out!
I know it will be different and, in some ways, difficult. God is not surprised by this, and He will take care of us because we are putting His values as our highest priority. God’s highest priority and highest value is people. That is our highest value as a church as well. Let’s be the church to those around us and love people in the name of Jesus. Let’s remember who is really in control when things seem chaotic and out of control.
Your staff and leadership team will also be looking for ways in the days to come to serve our community. We will seek out and pray for divine appointments from the Lord to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I hope you will do the same.
I will do my best to communicate with you regularly to keep you informed of any developments. Keep this website handy, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Let’s continue living out our faith, placing our full trust and hope in Jesus, and loving our community like never before.
Pastor Ronnie
Questions or concerns?
If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, I’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to me. Please email hello@TBCCentralia.com with any questions or comments.