2020 Review & 2021 Renewal by Pastor Johnny

Well Church, what can we say? The year 2020 in many ways has not turned out like anyone could have imagined.  It started with promise, but quickly moved to a pandemic. Through the pandemic we have experienced shutdown, struggle, and a “new” normal, which I really don’t want to continue. Some of you have lost loved ones and we mourn with you. Some of you were and are currently sick with Covid19, or the flu, or other illnesses and we pray to God for healing on your behalf. 2020 has been a year of trials and temptations like we have not seen in our lifetime. 2020 has driven many of us to our knees in prayer! Why does it take a pandemic for us to trust, pray, or repent?

In 2020, we have been challenged to have faith over fear, by allowing God to take control of our circumstances and believe He was big enough to handle them. We were challenged to engage in prayer over living a life of panic. Prayer along with the Word of God are offensive weapons wielded by the Saints against the enemy. The enemy wants to destroy life, but prayer gives us a lifeline to the Father, and He hears our cries and acts on our behalf. He is always faithful and finally we have been challenged to have joy over despair. Joy is not focused on our circumstances, but it is found in Christ, the Way-maker and Miracle worker in our lives. Joy conquers despair when we decide to allow God to empower us with His Spirit.

My prayer for us in 2021 is that it will be a year of Renewal, not just a new normal but a supernatural normal. The Apostle Paul says it this way, “Therefore, we do not give up. Even though our outer person (physical body) is dying, our inner person ( spiritual life) is being renewed day by day.”  (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Church, do not miss out on what God has in store for you in 2021, by looking back at 2020. Look forward, by seeking God, and being renewed by Him daily. Make that your life’s desire. A lost world is dying to hear the message of hope in Christ. We have that message; allow that message to renew your desire for evangelism, discipleship, and discernment of the truth. May God richly bless and renew you as you live for Him in 2021!

Pastor Johnny, Lead Pastor

Fall Funfest – October 31

Outdoor Carnival Tent Event aka Fall Funfest 4:30-6:30 p.m. October 31 in the Church parking lot. Our big needs: Candy (Thanks to those who’ve already given), Portable canopy shades that we could borrow, goodie bag stuffers, volunteers to make popcorn & cotton candy on Saturday morning (Oct. 31) Event volunteers: technically savvy folks to assist with our photo ops station: station volunteers, foot traffic and parking volunteers. Please contact Beth 228-3880 if you are able to assist in one or more of these areas of need. Thank you!

Church-wide Ministry Fair

Sunday, October 4^th after Worship Service

 Ministry Team Responsibilities

Rotating Ministry Teams

Building & Grounds Ministry

• Assure that the church facilities are maintained in good functional condition.
• Assure that necessary repairs are completed in a timely manner.

Personnel Ministry

• Assure needs of church staff are addressed.
• Review and adjust job descriptions as needed.
• Keep up to date regarding salaries and benefits for church employees.
• Recommend Personnel raise package each year.
• Review, update and administer the Personnel Policies of the church.
• Assist in the hiring of new church employees.

Stewardship Ministry

• See that the financial desires as voted on by the church body are carried out.
• Review monthly financial reports.
• Review monthly bank records.
• Prepare a proposed yearly budget in a timely manner.
• Responsible for procedures of money handling including counting committee and check signing.
• Encourage stewardship education.

Non-Rotating Ministry Teams

Communications Ministry

• Assure that the church audio/visual capabilities are maintained in good functional condition.
• Coordinate with the Church Office concerning all forms of church communication (e.g., Facebook, eNews, church website, blogs, etc.).

Discipleship Ministry

• Plan and facilitate Discipleship training opportunities (e.g., Bible Study, Hope Groups) to encourage others to live by the Word of our Lord Jesus.
• Ensure all members know their Spirit Gifts to better serve the church and community as disciples.

Fellowship Ministry

• Involve as many people as possible in fellowship activity.
• Plan and facilitate church-wide fellowship events.
• The Hospitality sub team will be responsible for the food preparation for all church-wide events.

Men’s Ministry

• Involve as many men as possible in Men’s Ministry.
• Plan and facilitate church-wide Men’s Ministry events.

Missions Ministry

• Involve as many people as possible in mission activity.
• Plan and facilitate mission trips and local mission projects.
• Promote local, BCNM, and SBC mission offerings.

Safety Ministry

• Implement the safety and security procedures as detailed in the Safety Manual of First Baptist – Moriarty.
• Keep up to date regarding measures to ensure the  safety and security of our congregation.

Seniors Alive Ministry

• Plan and facilitate worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism opportunities to our church’s seniors (ages 55 years old and older) to the Glory of God.

Women’s Ministry

• Involve as many women as possible in Women’s Ministry.
• Plan and facilitate church-wide Women’s Ministry events.

• Staff-led Ministry Teams

Staff-led Ministry Teams

Children’s Ministry

• Minister to children and their families.
• Contact Beth Aultman our Children’s Ministry Director for additional information.

Student Ministry

• Minister to students and their families.
• Contact Sid Ware our Student Ministry Director for additional information.

Worship Ministry

• Use talents, skills, and giftedness to lead the church in Worship.

Come and find a place to serve our God, our church, and our community!

Mission New Mexico 2020

Romans 10: 14-15a

     How are they to call on Him whom they have not believed?

     How are they to believe in Him or whom they have not heard?

     How are they to hear without someone to proclaim the good news to them?

     How are they to proclaim the Good News unless they are sent to do so?

William Barclay restates this scripture passage. He changes the question, “how can” to a statement, “you cannot.”

     You cannot call on God unless you believe.

     You cannot believe in Him unless you hear about Him.

     You cannot hear about Him unless there is someone to proclaim the Good News.

    There can be no one to proclaim the Good News unless God commissions someone to go.

OK, so where do I fit into this picture? I am not the one commissioned to go——am I?

Well, yes, you are. We all are. Every member of God’s family has been commissioned by Jesus to, “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” Matthew 28:18-20

Now that we have that settled, what does that have to do with the Mission New Mexico offering?

Let me tell you what the allocations are for Mission New Mexico.

• Church Planting
• Enabling Christian Challenge missionaries (for those of us wondering what that is you may remember BSU, Baptist Student Union. Same thing, new name.) to serve on overseas mission fields for two months during the summer.
• Enabling Christian Challenge students to assist with local VBS, camps, or workplace evangelism in Denver. (I personally had a Christian Challenge Team serving with me at Inlow years ago in the kitchen and they were the greatest.)
• Hunger Funds  As I read the Mission New Mexico annual report from 2019 I read, “As the bags of food were being delivered to the class rooms one little girl stopped the delivery person and said, ‘My name is Linda, do you have a bag with my name on it?’ ‘Yes, I do’, the delivery person replied,’” That delivery person was Mollie Pittman. I wrote about this encounter in the quarterly report submitted to NMBC. The annual report did not print Linda’s response which was, “Oh good, because we don’t have any food at home.”
• Inlow and Sivells Baptist Camp support
• Minister and Family Retreat

Do you see these activities as ways of, “Going and making disciples of all nations?” I do.

I read in the Baptist New Mexican about Mountain View Church which has 27 members and last year gave $4,300 to Mission New Mexico. I thought, “Wow, that is a lot for a church with 27 members. And it is, it is $160.75 per person. I have decided this year to not set a dollar goal for this offering. Meeting or not meeting a goal can lead to pride or to disappointment. Neither of which bring God glory. During this uncertain, bewildering, time in our lives may you give as God alone directs and give glory to Him.

Thank you, may you be blessed,

your Mission Team

SENIORS ALIVE Ministry

Mission statement: To provide worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism to our church’s seniors to the Glory of God.

Elders, Grandparents, Senior Saints, Regardless of what others call us, we, the older members of the People Church possess a treasure of experience, knowledge and wisdom gathered during our life’s journey. What are we doing with this treasure? If we do not share it, our treasure is gathered for naught. It disappears when we pass on. Consider how we can share our experiences, knowledge, and wisdom with our church family and our community.

Proverbs 23:26: “My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways”

We like to do activities together as a group to help and inspire and just get to know each other better and have fun while we serve the Lord together. Key word together.

How these five areas: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and missions have been accomplished in the past:

Hymn sings, Bible studies, speakers, going on trips together, camping, meals together, Reaching out to unbelievers and new believers, encouraging Care group attendance, helping those in need, Blessing bags with Bibles to homeless, singing at Senior center and in the park.

Calendar of events 2020

January: Inductive Bible study. February:  Valentine Party. May: Camp meeting Ute Lake, cancelled. July: Senior High School gifts given. August: Senior Banquet. October: Get pumpkins for Oct 31 event. November: Blessing bags to Coronado Park. December: Christmas Party & Foster parent ministry.

If you would like to be a part of the Seniors Alive group, and are 55 years old or more, please give your name and email or phone to the church office. If you are a member of FBC Moriarty, and at least 55 Please consider being a part of the Seniors Alive Committee that plans events for the year and volunteer by contacting the church office (505) 832-6385.

Why Did Jesus Pray?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did Jesus have to pray; He was God?” In the book A Praying Life, Paul Miller describes three reasons why Jesus needed to pray.

First, it was “his identity”. Jesus was God, and He was also the Son of God. During prayer Jesus revealed His need to draw closer to His Father. As parents, our kids need our direction and comfort. Jesus needed His heavenly Father’s comforting hand. As children of God we must learn to pray because we need God’s hand of direction and wisdom in our own lives. (John 10:30)

Second, it was “his example of love”. We love in personal relationships, one on one. I can show love to all my kids but that love is intensified as I spend one on one time with them. Repeatedly, Jesus reflected this loving personal relationship by intentionally getting alone to pray specifically to His Father. (John 15:13)

Finally, Miller writes, it was “his humanity” that drove Jesus to seek His Father’s will above his own. Jesus willingly set aside some portion of His deity and clothed himself in skin for our sake. Because he was human he needed to pray for strength and guidance. In His prayer time He set the perfect example for our lives. (Luke 22:42)

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Reopening for In-Person Bible Study Groups – Sunday, June 21st

Current Status & Path Forward

The CoronaVirus Response Team (CRT) has monitored the situation, including additional governmental guidance, and has developed the following phased Regathering Plan. Our goal as the CRT, the Church Ministry Council and the Church will continue to be to use wisdom and prudence to determine the exact dates of the various phases. Note that the entire building has been deep cleaned.

Phase One – Regathering Plan: Sunday Morning Worship Service Only

The start date for Phase One was Sunday, May 24, 2020.

Phase Two – Regathering Plan: Adding Bible Study Care Groups

The start date for Phase Two is Sunday, June 21, 2020.

• The Worship Service will be held on Sunday Mornings in the building with many of the same provisions as Phase One:
  • Seating will be by family units with 6-foot separation between units. (Note that the available seating is approximately 25% of our maximum seating capacity but allows for our average worship attendance.) Note that overflow Worship Service seating will be provided in the Children’s Chapel, if needed.
  • Parents will be expected to maintain the “distancing” of their children while they are not in childcare.
  • Hand sanitizer stations and masks will be available as you enter the building.
  • Your tithes and offerings can be placed in the Offering Box at the entrance into the auditorium. (Alternatively your tithes and offerings may be mailed to the church, dropped off at the church Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or made online at the church’s website www.thepeoplechurch.org.)

• Beth Aultman, the Children’s Ministry Director and Sid Ware, the Student Ministry Director stated that their areas of ministry will be ready to teach and care for children/students on the first Sunday of Phase Two.

• Adult Bible Study Groups may meet at the church during the regular Bible Study time, being mindful of the prescribed safety precautions, or they may continue to meet remotely via Zoom. The decision will be left to the Group Leader and their class members.

• Morning Worship Services will continue to be broadcasted for the foreseeable future via Facebook.

• All attendees are expected to:
  • Come in person only if you are healthy (not exhibiting symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, runny nose, headache), and you are personally comfortable with the regathering.
  • Vulnerable individuals should be deliberate in their decisions to attend in person.
  • Follow the recommended “distancing” guidance – no hugs, handshakes, avoid touching your face, etc.
  • Wear masks if you wish but they are not required.
  • Sing or not sing as you desire.

Phase Three – Regathering Plan: Return to non-distancing Normal

Phase Three will start as soon as practical after the start of Phase Two.

• Details to be determined

Reopening for In-Person Worship Service – Sunday, May 24th

Current Status & Path Forward

The CoronaVirus Response Team (CRT) has monitored the situation, including additional governmental guidance, and has developed the following phased Reopening Plan. Our goal as the CRT, the Church Ministry Council and the Church will continue to be to use wisdom and prudence to determine the exact dates of the various phases. Note that the Children’s wing and the adult classrooms have been deep cleaned; the rest of the building including the auditorium will be deep cleaned before we reopen.

Phase One – Reopening Plan: Sunday Morning Worship Service Only

The start date for Phase One is Sunday, May 24, 2020.

• Initially, only the Worship Service will be held on Sunday Mornings in the building with the following provisions:
  • Seating will be by family units with 6-foot separation between units. (Note that the available seating is approximately 25% of our maximum seating capacity but allows for our average worship attendance.)
  • Parents will be expected to maintain the “distancing” of their children at all times. No childcare will be provided during this phase. Note that additional Worship Service seating will be provided in the Children’s Chapel for families with small children, if they so desire.
  • Hand sanitizer stations and masks will be available as you enter the building.
  • Your tithes and offerings can be placed in the Offering Box at the entrance into the auditorium. (Alternatively your tithes and offerings may be mailed to the church, dropped off at the church Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or made online at the church’s website thepeoplechurch.org.)

• All attendees are expected to:
  • Come in person only if you are healthy (not exhibiting symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, runny nose, headache), and you are personally comfortable with the regathering.
  • Vulnerable individuals should be deliberate in their decisions to attend in person.
  • Follow the recommended “distancing” guidance – no hugs, handshakes, avoid touching your face, etc.
  • Wear masks if you wish but they are not required.
  • Sing or not sing as you desire.

• Bible Study Groups are encouraged to meet remotely via Zoom or in homes or the church, maintaining the suggested separation. Classes may choose to meet in the Children’s Chapel, but this should be scheduled with the church office to eliminate “double-booking” on any given day and time. Meeting at the church during the regular Bible Study time is discouraged at this time.
• Morning Worship Services will continue to be broadcasted for the foreseeable future via Facebook.

Phase Two – Reopening Plan: Adding Bible Study Care Groups

Phase Two will start as soon as practical after the start of Phase One.

• Details to be determined

Phase Three – Reopening Plan: Return to non-distancing Normal

Phase Three will start as soon as practical after the start of Phase Two.

• Details to be determined

Coronavirus Response Team (CRT) Update – May 12, 2020

Current Status & Path Forward

The CRT has monitored the situation, including additional governmental guidance, and has developed the following phased Reopening Plan. Our goal as the CRT, the CMC and the Church will continue to be to use wisdom and prudence to determine the exact dates of the various phases. Note that the Children’s wing and the adult classrooms have been deep cleaned; the rest of the building including the auditorium will be deep cleaned before we reopen.

Phase One – Reopening Plan: Sunday Morning Worship Service Only

The start date for Phase One is a Sunday soon.

• Initially, only the Worship Service will be held on Sunday Mornings in the building with the following provisions:
  • Seating will be by family units with 6-foot separation between units. (Note that the available seating is less than 50% of our normal seating capacity, but allows for our average worship attendance.)
  • Parents will be expected to maintain the “distancing” of their children at all times. No childcare will be provided during this phase. Note that additional Worship Service seating will be provided in the Children’s Chapel for families with small children, if they so desire.
  • Hand sanitizer stations and masks will be available as you enter the building.
  • Your tithes and offerings can be placed in the Offering Box at the entrance into the auditorium. (Alternatively your tithes and offerings may be mailed to the church, dropped off at the church Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or made online at the church’s website thepeoplechurch.org.)
• All attendees are expected to:
  • Come in person only if you are healthy (not exhibiting symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, runny nose, headache), and you are personally comfortable with the regathering.
  • Vulnerable individuals should be deliberate in their decisions to attend in person.
  • Follow the recommended “distancing” guidance – no hugs, handshakes, avoid touching your face, etc.
  • Wear masks if you wish but they are not required.
• Bible Study Groups are encouraged to meet remotely via Zoom or in homes or the church, maintaining the suggested separation. Classes may choose to meet in the Children’s Chapel, but this should be scheduled with the church office to eliminate “double-booking” on any given day and time. Meeting at the church during the regular Bible Study time is discouraged at this time.
• Morning Worship Services will continue to be broadcasted for the foreseeable future via Facebook.

Phase Two – Reopening Plan: Adding Bible Study Care Groups

The anticipated start date for Phase Two is the Sunday 4 weeks after the start of Phase One.

• Details to be determined

Phase Three – Reopening Plan: Return to non-distancing Normal

The anticipated start date for Phase Three is the Sunday 4 weeks after the start of Phase Two.

• Details to be determined

An Update from Our Pastor

Church family,

I want to start by saying what an awesome privilege it is to be your pastor. I want to encourage you with the words of the Apostle Paul, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

This passage encourages us to press on in the faith and in life! We do not press on just because we have the will power to, but because Christ Jesus has taken hold of us! God has an amazing plan for your life and this church, and I look forward to the day when we will worship together again soon. But until that day, press on to the upward Call of Christ! It will be easy to dwell on our past struggles & mistakes, but give those to God and allow Him to take you forward to new paths of serving Him in the coming days. Remember, the prize is a simple phrase, “well done good and faithful servant!” Pray hard and walk by faith today!

Our Current Plan is as follows:

Worship Service Plan (Sunday, May 3, 2020)

• We will not have an “in person” Worship Service on Sunday, May 3, 2020.
• We will continue to broadcast our worship service beginning at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday morning, on the church’s Facebook page The People Church | First Baptist Moriarty. We want to encourage all our members and guests to worship through this broadcast.
• The recorded audio broadcast of the worship service is available on our website on Monday following the service.
• The Pastor’s message will be broadcasted at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon on the local radio station – KXNM – 88.7 FM.

Future Worship Services

• The CRT will monitor the situation, including any additional governmental guidance and will provide updates on a weekly basis. Our goal as the CRT, the CMC and the Church will be to use wisdom and prudence to determine when indeed we meet again.

Reopening Plan

• The Children’s wing and the adult classrooms have been deep cleaned; the rest will be deep cleaned before we reopen.
• Initially, only the Worship Service will be held on Sunday Mornings in the building with the following restrictions:
  1. Seating will be by family units with 6-foot separation between units.
  2. Possibly add additional seating in Children’s Chapel.

Bible Study Groups are encouraged to meet in homes or at the church, maintaining the suggested separation. Classes may choose to meet in the Children’s Chapel, but this should be scheduled with the church office to eliminate “double-booking” on any given day and time. Meeting at the church during the regular Bible Study time is discouraged at this time.

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny