“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 21:1-38 (“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Scroll down this page for a list of prayer requests.

We Are Our Brothers’ Keepers!  We are living under extreme circumstances as our “Safer At Home” measures continue.  These are things we can’t control, but we can control our attitudes toward our hardships.  During these difficult days let’s remember: (1) We are to love all people (Matthew 22:39).  We don’t want to spread harmful viruses that may unknowingly be in our own systems, just as we don’t want others to transmit them to us.  (2) We are to reach out to help others (Galatians 6:10).  Make phone calls to those who may need help or encouragement.  This is a time to show our love!

Bible Study This Evening: Restrictions on large gatherings continue, but that won’t prevent us from offering Bible classes this evening.  Be watching for another email this afternoon with information on what will be taught, and how to access each.  Children’s classes will begin at 6:15, and classes for adults go online at 7:00.

Looking For Encouragement?  We’ve developed a list of sites that every Christian should find helpful as we try to use our extra free time in positive ways.  Go to this site on GraceMine.org and see how many opportunities there are to be built up and to grow!  Check back occasionally, for we expect this list will grow.

Communion Supplies are still available for you to pick up.  Just call the church office and find the best time to come by.  We’ll have it ready and waiting for you, and you won’t even have to turn off your car.  We offer “no contact” service!  If you can’t get out, let us know and we’ll get it to you.

“Essential Services”: Wording in Johnson City’s “Safer At Home” guidelines says that institutions who help provide food and help to the needy are deemed “essential services”.  Our church provides food boxes for a few dozen families virtually every week, and the demand has grown in recent weeks.  Our thanks to Chig Gunter for overseeing our effort, and to Tom Cromie for frequently giving extra help through Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.  We also thank Kathy Torgerson and Ruth Boggs for doing the actual distribution of these boxes during the week (using safe practices).

Remember These In Prayer:

Vicki Underwood, sister of Judy Von Dollen’s son-in-law Kevin Marcum, is making very good progress in recovering from the COVID-19 virus.  She has been hospitalized in Oklahoma for the past few days.  On Tuesday Kevin’s wife Josi (Judy’s daughter and sister to Teresa Wolfe) reported that her oxygen levels were up after taking her off oxygen.  If all continues to go well, she will likely be discharged today to go home.  Vicky and her family send thanks for all of the prayers offered.

Evadna Fruewirth continues in rehab at Cornerstone Village after being hospitalized for several days.  Say a prayer that all will go well, and that she will soon be able to return home.

Medical personnel and their families are dealing with the stress of long hours and heightened risk of infection.  Say a prayer that God will protect these.

Many are experiencing great loneliness as their normal circles of friends have been disrupted.  Ask the Lord to be a special comfort for the lonely, and then reach out to the ones you know.

Virginia Crowder remains in rehab in Nashville, and “seems to be doing well”, her daughter Jan reported.  She will turn 96 on April 12, and would love to hear from her friends back home.  Keep our sister in your prayers.

The family of Lon Shuler, father of Debra Quesinberry and grandfather of Kelly Shaw and Brandon Quesinberry, continues to mourn his passing on Monday morning at the age of 92.  A private graveside service will be conducted on Thursday at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport.  You may view his obituary by clicking here.

Doug Grindstaff is dealing with a difficult infection that has given him problems for some time.  He asks for our prayers, and also for his son, Benjamin, who lost his job in Raleigh, NC and is showing signs of depression.

Mary Sue Smith has asked for our prayers as she seeks to provide comfort to a loved one who is going through a difficult terminal illness.  Mary Sue, mother of Brad Sorrow, was with us in our virtual worship service on Sunday morning.

Students in Bible classes at the Day Reporting Center in Boone’s Creek have been told not to report to the DRC until further notice.  Our prayers have been requested for these students who have come to depend on these classes and fellowship for strength.

The Better Way:  *  “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”  (Mahatma Ghandi)  *  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  (Matthew 5:38,39)