Worship Services and Other In-Person Church Activities Cancelled Until Further Notice
Our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ is to love our neighbors. There is something that seems off when we isolate ourselves in order to do that, but in these strange circumstances the most loving and just thing that we can do is to try to prevent the spread of this disease – especially to the most vulnerable among us – by following the guidelines set forth by our medical professionals. These currently include not gathering in groups of 10 or more and practicing social distancing. Therefore, all in-person, church-sponsored events – including worship, Sunday School, and Wednesday Night Life – are cancelled until further notice. The church office, Nearly New Store, and the Blakemore Children’s Center are all closed as well. All this is in an effort to be the most loving that we can be by protecting the public health. We do not know when we will be able to reopen and resume our regular activities. Schools are canceled for the rest of the school year, and we will be closed until at least the end of May. In-person worship services are cancelled through at least the end of June.
On Sunday mornings, we are gathering online at 9:30 through a platform called Zoom, which enables multiple users to join together with video and audio, to visit with each other and study and discuss the Bible. You can download the Zoom software to use on your computer or smart phone or even just call in with any phone and participate with only the audio. To join the meeting, you can click on this link, use the meeting ID 520 956 1228 in Zoom, or call 312-626-6799 and input the meeting ID. If you need a password, it is 3601.
This Sunday, May 31, will be Rev. John Hill’s last Sunday to preach for Blakemore. He is being appointed to Crievewood UMC in July and has the month of June off to help with the transition. We will celebrate Pentecost Sunday together (wear red on the Zoom call), hear the story of the birth of the early church, and imagine what God will birth through Blakemore through this time of transition. We’ll spend the first 15 minutes gathering and catching up with one another. Then we will move into our service, which will include a children’s message at the very beginning, liturgy, two hymns, a sermon from Rev. John Hill, a short breakout time for small group discussion, and prayer. We will conclude the service by celebrating Holy Communion virtually, so be sure to provide your own elements at home – grape juice and bread/crackers are preferred (but do what you need to do). After the service, we will allow more time for folks to fellowship.
As a reminder, if you are looking for a worship service to watch online, the Tennessee Conference has compiled a list of options here. If you want to listen to a past Blakemore sermon or view a past Zoom session, you can do that here. As always, you can keep up with your giving by mailing a check to the office, by texting a dollar amount to 844-905-2756 (the first time you’ll receive a link to input your information), or by giving online here. Despite the physical distancing, we can still connect with one another and know and share God’s love. Reach out to others in your lives, especially those who might be feeling especially alone or isolated. Make a phone call, send a card, write an email or text message, connect on social media. We need each other during this time, and each of us has the opportunity to share God’s love with others. Stay healthy and find ways to be reminded of God’s love and to share that love with others.
Whether your week was full of meetings or deadlines or left you longing for more, reflect with us for Sunday School beginning at 9:30 a.m. Connect in debate and discussion, deepen your understanding of scripture study, or simply relax in the knowledge that you are not alone.
After worship we gather downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, light snacks, and intergenerational conversations.
Join us on Wednesday evenings during the school year as we gather downstairs in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 for a community meal prepared by church members. From 6:30 to 7:30, we have a variety of programs for people of all ages, including our Chancel Choir. Once a month or so, we’ll have an intergenerational fun event, such as a game night.
Dinner | 5:30 pm ● Programming | 6:30 pm