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First Thoughts Blog

Category Archives: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

We’re Rolling! Gathered Worship: Safe and Soaring!

Posted on: May 21, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor

Last Sunday, we gathered for worship and worked through the newness of masks and social distancing. The joy was palpable from singing and praying in the same room. It was great to be back.

So join us! No need to sign up. Just come for 9 am Contemporary and 11 am Classic Reformed.

As of now, there is no gathered Sunday school or nursery, but we will let you know as soon as this is figured out. For the foreseeable future, we will continue to follow guidelines regarding wearing masks, using the North Blvd entrance, and sitting in designated distancing areas by household groups.

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Two Wonderful and Weird Services

Posted on: May 15, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor

Wonderful because we can be together in our Sanctuary.

Weird because we have to wear masks and continue with those annoying social distancing practices.

Service times have changed to 9 am and 11 am.

For those worshiping in the Sanctuary, plan to arrive early and use the North Boulevard entrance. We're asking everyone to please wear a mask.

Both services will continue to be livestreamed.

There will be no Sunday school or nursery provided.

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Serving the Underserved

Posted on: April 27, 2020
by: Nancy Zito, Founder and Principal of Gardere Community Christian School
A heartfelt thank you from Nancy Zito, Founder and Principal of Gardere Community Christian School, to First Presbyterian members who have donated food to the school's underserved students and their families.
 
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5: 3-5).
 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Children's Anxiety During Corona

Posted on: April 24, 2020
by: Cheryl Brodnax

Counselor Cheryl Brodnax has some tips on how to help your kids combat anxiety during these stay-at-home times?

1) Be mindful of what you discuss in front of your children
2) Give your kids opportunity to talk
3) Structure is a good thing
4) Help them feel connected to friends
5) Give your children grace

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

How to Get Ready for Virtual Communion

Posted on: April 7, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor

Gerrit explains how to prepare for participating in Thursday’s 7 pm Service of Shadows. Four candles, a piece of bread and a cup of wine or juice, and you’re set to interact with the passion of Jesus and connect to him, together with our whole church, through the Lord’s Supper.

 

Links to watch the Service of Shadows are below. The video will be available at 7 pm Thursday, April 9.

Facebook

YouTube

 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Focusing Prayer Through Fasting

Posted on: April 6, 2020
by: Jim Solomon, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Prayer

Our beloved pastoral care minister Jim Solomon invites us to the challenge of Tuesday lunch-fasts and how such practice can ignite your prayer life. Jim also asks that you check out the guidelines and insights on fasting that are included on our denomination’s website (epc.org) especially if you will fast not only on Tuesdays at lunch time but also the entire day on Good Friday, April 10. 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

What Is This I'm Feeling?

Posted on: March 30, 2020
by: Sherry Kadair, MA, LPC, NCC

What Is This I’m Feeling?

FPC deacon and BRCCC therapist Sherry Kadair puts words to some of the strange feelings we’ve all been having. You’re not crazy! We’re having ordinary reactions to extraordinary circumstances.

Tuesday Lunch Fasts

Following Gov. Edwards' call last week for a statewide day of prayer and fasting, Senate Chaplain Rodney Wood invites all Louisianans, and pastor Jim Solomon invites all First Presbyterians who can, to make fasting from lunch a Tuesday routine.  We can use this bit of deprivation to focus our prayers and ask for God’s mercy, grace and revelation upon our nation.

Email Jim Solomon

 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Toxic Breath

Posted on: March 26, 2020
by: Katie Forsthoff

Are you breathing the toxic breath of stress these days? Tension and fatigue are in the air. But what if we could draw breaths that bring peace. Katie Forsthoff introduces the ancient spiritual technique of breath prayer. 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Combating Plague Mind

Posted on: March 23, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor
Do you have plague mind? You don’t need a doctor’s order to get tested. Just answer the questions below. Then watch Gerrit and Chris’ video on the battle for your mind.
 
If you check more than 3 boxes, this one if for you.
 
Check all that apply:
 
____ I watch too much news. 
____ I’m sick of the people I live with. 
____ I don’t really feel like doing anything. 
____ Yet, I’m bored! 
____ I watch too much television. 
____ I don’t concentrate very well. 
____ I feel poor! 
____ I have floating anxiety. 
____ I don’t sleep very well. 
____ I’ve gotten suspicious of other people.
 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

What's a Guy to Do?

Posted on: March 20, 2020
by: Darin Travis, Associate Pastor for Discipleship
What's a Guy to Do?
Men's Pastor Darin Travis has some tips for guys in isolation.
 

 
Live Stream
 
Let's worship as one church. Live stream with us Sunday morning at 10.30 am (becomes live 5 minutes before start of worship).
 
Email prayer@fpcbr.org if you have trouble with the live stream Sunday morning. We've included the order of worship for you to follow along.
 
 
 
Don't Forget
 
Download the church APP. The app has all the same information as the website, including connecting to the Sunday live stream, an option to give online and accessing all archived sermons.
 
 
Contact Us
 
If you would like a friendly voice, prayer, comfort, have live stream questions, or if you have a practical need for groceries or a pharmacy run, contact the church office (225.387.0617 or prayer@fpcbr.org) and we will get you connected. 
 

Email Us

 

 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Corona Christians!

Posted on: March 19, 2020
by: Chris Phillips, Director of Worship
Corona Christians!
Today’s Staying Connected Video from Gerrit and Chris.
 

 
 
Live Stream
The button below brings you directly to the FPC live stream page. Live stream becomes active at 10.25 am this Sunday; 5 minutes before worship begins.
 
Email prayer@fpcbr.org if you have trouble on Sunday morning.
 
 
Don't Forget
Don't forget to download the church APP. The app has all the same information as the website, including connecting to the Sunday live stream, an option to give online and accessing all archived sermons.
 
 
Contact Us
If you would like a friendly voice, prayer, comfort, have live stream questions, or if you have a practical need for groceries or a pharmacy run, contact the church office at 225.387.0617 or click the link below to email us.
 
 
 

 

Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Home Worship

Posted on: March 18, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor
Dearly Loved Congregation,
 
Here’s a new video encouragement for home worshipers that I made with Chris Phillips.
 
Also, big news. For the next two Sundays, at 10.30 am we will have online worship only, no live attendees!
 
Why? Well, not only to comply with health guidelines, but in order to change the format of the live stream so it appeals to more home viewers. The video will be more “up close and personal,” as Chris and I lead you through worship.
 
Also, send us your selfies from where you’re watching worship and any prayer requests to prayer@fpcbr.org. We’ll get the selfies on our Facebook page and show them next week too!
 
News on Palm Sunday to follow in about ten days.
 
Keep praying for each other, our city, our medical professionals, our nation and world. 
 
Jesus reigns,
Gerrit
 

 
 
 
 
Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

Staying Connected In Isolation

Posted on: March 17, 2020
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor
Dearly Loved Congregation,
 
It’s so hard to be apart! Seldom have we realized how precious it is to be together.
 
Technology gives us a chance to be connected, albeit without touch or eye contact.
 
So for the next few days, expect a brief video encouragement from me and other pastors and staff.  
 
 
 
News:
 
Our 10.30 am Sunday gatherings are limited to 50. You can sign up to be part of our "Live Fifty" below. We’ll have a waiting list in case some have to drop out: so if you sign up but can’t make it, you can let us know. Others can worship from home via the FPC live stream.
 
This week’s message will be Corona Christians. 
 
If you would like a friendly voice, a prayer, some comfort, or if you have a practical need for groceries or a pharmacy run, contact the church office (225.387.0617 or prayer@fpcbr.org) and we will get you connected.  
 
If you’d like to talk with a professional counselor by phone, you can contact our Baton Rouge Christian Counseling Center and they will have a counselor call you. (225.387-2287) or email BRCCC@brchristiancounseling.com.
 
Keep praying for each other. Keep checking on each other. Keep looking to Jesus!
 
So thankful to be your pastor,
Gerrit
 
 
Posted in: Updates Regarding Coronavirus and FPC

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