Election Prayer Night
Rinehart Christian Church will be offering their Corn Maze event again this year the first four Saturdays of October (3, 10, 17, & 24) from 11 AM-4 PM. This is an event for the whole family to enjoy together with activities including the maze, hayrides, a corn pit, lawn games, pumpkin painting, duck races, and fire pits. Admission to this event is completely free, with a hot dog lunch included from 11 AM- 1 PM.
We have a heart for families, and that is what drives this event. We want to provide an opportunity for families in our community to enjoy time together. We believe serving families is one of the best ways we can serve God.
To make this event as safe as possible, we have moved every event outside this year.
Rinehart Christian Church is located at 9443 S 900 Rd in Richards, MO.
Here are directions from Fort Scott: Take 69 Hwy. north to the Hammond exit. Then go east two miles on Soldier Rd. The road turns to the north; follow the blacktop (245th St.) to the stop sign (Valley Road); then go east. This becomes Hwy. D in Missouri. Continue on Hwy. D through Stotesbury to 900 Rd. Go South 0.5 miles to the church.
The Community is invited to the Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse monthly gathering at 6:30 p.m., Thursday September 3rd in the conference room of Rodeway Inn, 101 State Street.
This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for women, men and youth to worship, pray, fellowship and grow in unity. We desire to propel the Kingdom forward through the elevation of the knowledge of God. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.
The believers’ identity and authority in Christ will be our focus this week.
Our Lighthouse desires the body of Christ to come together to meet some needs in Bourbon County. We have been assisting the Fort Scott Youth Home with paint, cleaning, and repairs. We have planted a group garden. Other projects are in the planning stages. We plan to meet the needs of those that cannot speak for themselves. Another need for our area is to do more to protect the unborn. Committees are being formed. For more information contact Amanda Gilmore at (620) 215-0418 or Bob Reazin at (620) 363-0257.
The new multi-purpose room addition of the First Southern Baptist Church of Fort Scott has the shell completed.
The 125 member church is located at 1818 S. Main (Hwy. 69).
The 95-foot by 75-foot Family Life Center will have an occupancy of 299 people when fully usable.
“We went big after looking at nearby churches,” Vera Norris, a church member said.
In addition to a multi-purpose room, the building will house classrooms and restrooms.
“It will be for community events such as a possible homeschool group, seminars,” Brian Williams, a church board member said. “Our AWANA kids will be able to play games in here and we’ll have youth activities.”
“Awana is a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for ages 2-18, according to its’ websitehttps://www.awana.org/about/ Awana gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.”
“The building is a work in progress,” Pastor James Collins said.
“We are working on fundraising so we can compete our classrooms and restrooms (that will be housed in the building), Williams said.
Arck Construction, Pittsburg began construction in May 2019, the steel beams were erected and the outside shell was completed by September 2019, Williams said.
“The air conditioning and heating are working now,” Williams said. “We recently held a church rummage sale in the facility.”
The old church kitchen is being reconfigured and will serve the Family LIfe Center activities.
First Southern Baptist Church turned parking lots into pews last Sunday with “Drive-In” Church.
People were able to maintain social distancing by staying in their cars and listening to the service on 88.7 FM.
“Drive-In” Church will be held again this Sunday at First Southern starting at 11 am.
The church is located at 1818 South Main. Pastor James Collins will be preaching a Resurrection message from the Sixteenth Chapter of Mark.
Due to forecasted weather and the advice from our county officials, the Easter Drive-In Experience is now changing to the Easter at Home Experience. The service will be broadcasted on 103.9 FM and live via all our usual online channels (Church Online, Facebook, & Youtube). The service will begin at 10 am, please stay at home and we encourage you to find something your family can use for communion elements. We look forward to worshipping with you, the community, multiple churches – all with one purpose.
We are saddened to have to make this change, but we want to provide a great Easter Celebration and maintain everyone’s safety. Our disappointments are swallowed up by our excitement to celebrate the resurrection with you and the other churches! We are glad to still be able to do this Sunday service with them all.
.
.
What: Easter ONLINE Experience – Multiple Churches, One Purpose.
Where: Wherever YOU are…your couch, kitchen, big screen TV, or on a walk.
How: Live Stream on Facebook via Community Christian, Faith Church, Fort Scott Nazarene, & Parkway Pages.
When: April 12 (Easter Sunday) at 10 am.
Why: Cause the resurrection changes everything.
He is RISEN! (He is RISEN indeed!!)
-Submitted by Clayton Whitson, Faith Church.
Several area pastors get together periodically during the year to fellowship. A few weeks ago they discussed creating a community Easter service with social distancing, because of the pandemic.
The outcome: Easter Drive-in Experience on Sunday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at the west parking lot of the old Mercy Hospital building.
“It’s a family event open to anyone,” Clayton Whitson, communication pastor at Faith Church said.
“You don’t have to be members of these churches,” Pastor Virgil Peck, of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene said.
The churches involved in the planning are Community Christian Church, Faith Church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, and Parkway Church of God.
With the permission of local and county officials, these four churches will host an Easter celebration while still adhering to social distancing requirements.
Attendees can drive their families to the Community Health Center also known as the old Mercy Hospital entrance off Highway 69. Please don’t come off of the Horton Street side, because of logistics, Peck said. The parking lots of the Professional Building to the north of the CHC will also be utilized for attendees cars.
Speakers will be set up on a semi-trailer at the convergence of the three parking lots, Peck said.
Parking attendants will direct each car to a parking space.
Everyone will remain in their vehicle and can access the broadcast audio on local radio channel 103.9 FM, KOMB Radio.
The service will feature live music, communion, and a collaborative message from all four pastors: Peck from the Nazarene Church, Eric Goings from Parkway Church of God, Dusty Drake from Community Christian, and Matthew Hunt from Faith Church.
Parking lots open at 9:30 a.m.
“We are encouraging people to come early, because the logistics,” Peck said.
If people are unable to attend, they can tune into the radio at 103.9.
“We are also trying to work out a live video stream of the event,” Peck said.
“We said, ‘If God is in it, it will happen and it seems to be coming together,” Peck said.
They are partnering together for this event because:
“Jesus’ resurrection changes everything,” Whitson said.
Governor Kelly announces revised mass gatherings guidance to include religious services
As part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, today Governor Laura Kelly rescinded Executive Order #20-14 and replaced it with Executive Order #20-18, which primarily brings our religious institutions and religious and non-religious funerals in line with the previous order that limited public gatherings to 10 or fewer people.
Although religious institutions and funerals previously were exempt from this 10-person limit, they now will need to comply with this rule, effective at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday.
“As Holy Week gets underway – and with Kansas rapidly approaching its projected ‘peak’ infection rate in the coming weeks – the risk for a spike in COVID-19 cases through church gatherings is especially dangerous,” Kelly said. “This was a difficult decision, and not one I was hoping to have to make.
“But I’ve said repeatedly during this crisis that we will adjust to circumstances as they develop to make sure we do everything we can to protect Kansans.”
E.O. #20-18 does not ban religious gatherings or funerals. Instead, both conducting and attending religious services and funerals remain designated “essential functions” and cannot be prohibited by local orders. However, gatherings must be limited to 10 individuals at a time and clergy, staff and attendees must adhere to appropriate safety protocols as outlined in the statewide stay-home order – including social distancing, hygiene and other efforts.
“I encourage all faith leaders to embrace alternative forms of worship that do not involve in-person congregation,” the Governor said. “Churches are livestreaming services and bringing their parishioners together over Facebook Live for Bible Study. They also are looking for alternative ways to observe their rituals.”
On April 3, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued new guidance to support churches in their transition to this method of worship, which can be viewed at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Church_Sevices_Guidance.pdf.
The Governor said that in speaking with several faith leaders across Kansas, she was encouraged and deeply grateful that many religious institutions across the state have already recognized the danger of congregating in person and have proactively taken steps to celebrate in an alternative way. See statements from several below:
Reverend C.L. Bachus of Kansas City Kansas’ Mt. Zion Baptist Church: “I am calling the Christian community to follow Governor Kelly’s executive order as it relates to social distancing and limited gatherings. We’ve had some difficult experiences in the religious community that makes this action necessary. I encourage you all to obey the mandate. It’s time we use good common sense as well as exercise our faith during this difficult time. We are all in this together.”
Catholic Monsigner Stuart Svetland of Donnelley College in Kansas City, Kansas: “Everyone recognizes the religious liberty and first amendment rights, but with rights also comes the duty to serve the common good. Right now, it is necessary for religious institutions to serve the common good and our common health by following this reasonable request from the Governor.”
Dr. T. La Mont Holder, President of Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas: “In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is imperative that pastors and churches comply fully with the state and local gathering restrictions of (10 or less) that have been implemented by our Governor, Laura Kelly, and the healthcare experts who are working with her daily to provide the best policies and practices for reducing the spread here in Kansas.
This is no time for spiritual extremism. It is the responsibility of each pastor and church to act responsibly and lead by example. To continue to place the health and welfare of our church members, and the community at large in danger is biblically and morally irresponsible and reckless.
In these difficult times we must endeavor to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. To defy the meeting restrictions is negligent, selfish and reprehensible. As a member of the clergy, I understand that as a community of faith the church is our safe place. However we must not turn our safe places into sanctuaries of predation.
I implore EVERY pastor, church leader and parishioner across the state of Kansas to rethink your actions during this vulnerable time in our nation and particularly in Kansas. We are in a state of emergency and our actions in these critical moments will determine how soon we get beyond this healthcare emergency.
Join me, the Governor, and our trusted healthcare experts in combatting this unprecedented health crisis in our country. Let’s unite to fight this outbreak and in the end we will conquer COVID-19. #KansasStrong!”
Rev. Shriley D. Heermance, Pastor at Historic St. Mark’s A.M.E Church: “Today we were informed of the Honorable Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order to remove the exemption that allowed for members of the Faith Community to gather for worship, per the established distancing order. The Historic St. Mark’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (Topeka, Kansas) stand in support of this difficult decision. Sharing with others of the Faith Community, who believe that through this crisis, we are safer at home. We are grateful to have opportunity to continue in Worship, study, and official meetings through the social media and teleconferencing. Our hearts are filled with sorrow over the 11,000-plus lives lost to the COVID-19 virus. We are thankful for all those who serve through this crisis on the front line and will remain prayerful until at last our God has healed our State, our Nation, and our World.”
Members of Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton, will be feeding families in need as a drive-by.
The first meal offering was last night.
“We served 159 people last night,” Gayle Sackett, a member of Community Christian Church said.
Names will be taken of anyone eating a meal, she said.
The church members believe there is a need for families currently, with many people losing jobs, she said.
“There is a greater need, right now,” Sackett said.
“It’s the same principle as the Feeding Families In His Name,” she said.
Feeding Families In His Name, a ministry of the First Methodist Church has been offering a free meal on Wednesday evenings for nine years, Jean Tucker, coordinator, said.
“When Gayle Sackett called me, the group wanted to go under Feeding Families umbrella,” Tucker said. “I am so excited they are doing this.”
FFIHN is a 501 3c organization that receives food commodities from the Department of Agriculture and goes through the Department of Children and Families.
“CCC is using our commodities, they will augment that with other donations,” Tucker said.
First Methodist Church is located at Third and National Avenue.
Access to the free Wednesday evening meal is behind the church in the alley between Main and National Avenue. That meal is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
There, individuals and families will be served to-go boxes.
Tucker wanted to thank the volunteers that help.
“We have a very dedicated group of volunteers,” she said. “Just a few come to cook.”
The need for meals is increasing, as evidenced by the number of people who have received free meals in March at the Methodist Church.
“Two weeks ago it was 180 people, last week 210, this week we are planning for 230,” Tucker said.
The group also engages in meeting community needs such as protecting the unborn and orphans.
