Dan River's Mainstream

From the Board of Deacons
Due to the current situation regarding the Coronavirus all meetings have been canceled until further notice. Sunday services will be broadcast on the Church's Facebook page on Sunday as well as the Sunday School lesson on Wednesday at 1:00PM.

Extended Sessions
Due to the current situation regarding Coronavirus, there will be no Nursery or Children's Church at Dan River Baptist Church (effective Sunday March 22nd) until such time it is safe to resume.

In Response to Coronavirus Concerns

Concerns over the presence of the Coronavirus in our nation have been a cause of great concern for many. Recently our church received from the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) a list of suggested strategies that have been proposed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for all civic organizations and churches.
Our church’s leadership recently met to discuss appropriate measures we should take as a congregation. It was decided that some simple preventative measures should be taken now, and more extreme measures should be considered should the coronavirus appear in Halifax County. The recommendations we are currently making are these:

* We encourage all attendees to practice good hygiene. This includes:
- Cover your cough
- Wash hands frequently
- If hand washing isn’t possible we encourage the use of hand                                   sanitizer
- Avoid touching your face

* You are encouraged to avoid close personal contact
- Avoid handshakes and hugs
- Greet one another with a big smile, elbow bumps, waves, bowing,                       or some other non-contact greeting

* Our Greeters/Ushers will be stationed at each entrance to open doors for you and provide you with hand sanitizer if you desire it.

* Please consider staying home if:
- You run a fever or show signs of any respiratory infection
- You feel you have been exposed to someone who has developed     the coronavirus, flu, or any other communicable condition
- You are concerned for your personal wellbeing and do not wish to                        expose yourself to crowds
(Remember, you can always join us in worship via Facebook,
or by requesting a DVD copy of our worship services.)

     Should the spread of the virus intensify other measures may be necessary down the road, however it is our prayer that no one in our church or community ever experiences the tragedy of this disease.
Please join us as we pray for a quick passage of this disease, and as we practice these measures to ensure the safety of our entire congregation.

Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to the:

• Glen Phillip Anderson family (Dianne Floyd’s uncle)
• Gary Davis Whitt family (Carolyn Shortt’s brother-in-law)

Thank You
Jack and I appreciate everything our church family has done for us during my hospitalization and recovery.
Thank you for your prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and food, as well as the gift cards for food now that my diet has been expanded.
Although I have not seen much improvement in my voice, surgery and recovery went well and I am grateful for that.  God is good..and so are our Christian friends.
Love and Thanks!
Carolyn Wiles

Maundy Thursday
What is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday of Holy Week all about?  The word “Maundy” is a shortened version of the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his friends a new commandment.  He told the disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34, NRSV).
As Christians gather to eat and share Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, we should make a special effort to exhibit our love and respect for one another.  Let us seek out people whom we don’t naturally have affection for and express our wish that the living Christ may dwell in them and bless them.

Dispelling the darkness
On Good Friday, many churches hold a Tenebrae worship service. Tenebrae (Latin for “darkness” or “shadows”) is an ancient Christian tradition that re-creates the emotions of Jesus’ Passion and death. The sanctuary gradually grows darker. A strepitus (Latin for “loud noise”) may signify the closing of Jesus’ tomb. As the service concludes, a Christ candle stands alone on the altar, reminding worshipers that victory is coming on Easter morning.
When Scottish missionary Peter Milne died in 1924, the thankful people he’d served in the South Pacific inscribed this message on his headstone: “When he came, there was no light; when he died, there was no darkness.”
Death’s darkness couldn’t conquer Jesus, the light of the world, so it does not conquer us. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5, ESV).

Church Offices Closed
The Church Offices will be closed Monday, April 13.  The office will reopen Tuesday, April 14, at 9:00 AM.

Mission Action
The April church-wide mission action is to check with neighbors to see if there is anything you can do to help them through the pandemic.

5 Things to Pray for During This Pandemic
· Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not
· Give our leaders extra wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and economic uncertainty
· Strengthen your global church.  Reveal to us how we can partner together to reach the needs of those around us
· Calm our fears.  Fill us with Your hope, joy, and peace as we continue to trust in You
· Use this pandemic to pave the way for spiritual renewal.  We want Your glory, power, and healing to be on display

Golf Outing Canceled
The golf outing, scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, has been canceled.

Annie Armstrong Offering - Our Goal:  $1,750
Fast Facts
· Primary ministry initiatives of NAMB:  Send Network (church planting) and Send Relief (compassion ministries)
· Amount of NAMB budget provided by Cooperative Program:  38%
· Amount of NAMB budget provided by Annie Armstrong Easter Offering:  49%
· Year offering started: In 1895 by WMU®
· Amount given in 1895: $5,000 +
· Year offering named after Annie Armstrong: 1934
· Total offering gifts to date: Over $1 billion

Cancellations and Other Changes
From the Board of Deacons
Due to the current situation regarding the Coronavirus, Sunday School and worship at Dan River Baptist Church has been suspended until such a time as it is safe to resume.  The worship service will be a live broadcast at the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page Sundays at 11:00 AM.  Please join us there.
All Wednesday night programs are suspended until further notice as well.

Online Wednesday Bible Study
As we take precautions to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, we understand the disruption this disease causes in the normal routines of life.  Among those disruptions is the lack of opportunity to participate in such Bible study activities as Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible study.  For that reason, we are going to provide an online Wednesday Bible Study.  The study will be posted on our Facebook page every Wednesday at 1:00 PM and will feature a study of God’s Word using our current Sunday School literature as a guide.  The study will be taught oy our pastor and can be viewed at 1:00 PM each Wednesday, or at your convenience anytime thereafter.
We know this is not the same as gathering together with others to study the Word of God, but we hope this temporary substitute will be a comfort to you as we struggle through these trying times.

Quarterly Business Meeting
There will be no Fellowship Supper Wednesday, April 8.  Since there is no urgent business to hear, there will not be a second quarter business meeting in April.

Updates
To receive updates on church activities, cancellations, etc., you may use the church’s website, www.danriverbaptistchurch.org or the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page.  You may also call the Church Office with any questions about services and activities.
Emails will be sent to the church family as changes are made as well.
Dan River W.E.E. School 2020 - 2021 REGISTRATION
Registration will remain open until classes are filled.  There are classes for 2s, 3s, and Pre-K.  Half and Full-day Programs are offered.

Job Opportunity
Registration is underway for next year at W.E.E. School, and there may be some job openings.  If God has called you to work with children, and you are a loving, patient team-player, W.E.E. may have a job for you.  Opportunities are available for full and part-time.  Our days begin at 7:15, with varying shifts, and end at 5:30 M – F.  Please contact Karen Smith at 572-3547 if you have questions, or you may pick up an application from the church office.

Virtual Walk MS:  Richmond 2020 - National MS Society
This year's MS Walk is May 2.  Walk MS events are moving to a virtual experience.  MS doesn't stop during this crisis, and neither will we.  People with MS need us now more than ever.  Please continue to contribute, however you can.
Karen is still fundraising.  This year she and Paul will walk from their home, Aaron, from his, and friends will walk from their homes in Evan's memory.  If you would like to help fund the much-needed cure for Multiple Sclerosis, see Karen to make a donation.  Checks should be written to the National MS Society with Karen Smith in the memo space.  Every gift, large or small, counts because every dollar puts us one step closer to that cure!

CALENDAR OF MINISTRIES

Wednesday, April 8
7:00 PM  Bible Study (View on the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page)

Thursday, April 9
Maundy Thursday
7:00 PM  God’s Girls Teen Bible Study (Fellowship Hall)

Friday, April 10
Good Friday

Sunday, April 12
Easter
11:00 AM  Morning Worship Service (View on the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page)

Monday, April 13
Easter Monday (Church Offices Closed)

Wednesday, April 15
Tax Day
1:00 PM  Adult Bible Study (View on the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page)

Thursday, April 16
7:00 PM  God’s Girls Teen Bible Study (Zoom)

Sunday, April 19
11:00 AM  Morning Worship Service (View on the Dan River Baptist Church Facebook page)