IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
as Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Church Family,
We are continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, including social distancing and stay-at-home orders. We will provide frequent updates to keep you informed. To receive cell phone updates, text sjbcfamily to 313131.
We want to assure you that public health and safety concerns are our community is of the highest priority. Due to extended social distancing orders from officials and the health professionals, we will continue to gather online. Our campuses and offices are closed. All ministry events have been postponed. However, our church staff is working remotely during normal business hours.
For after hour emergencies, requiring immediate attention, please call 888–888-SJBC (7522).
Be Safe!
Pastor Davis
______________________________________________________________________________
as Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Dear SJC Church Family and Friends,
The health and well-being of our church family and community is our first and foremost concern. Effective immediately, St. John Church will be utilizing live stream and on-demand formats to ensure we are in compliance with the most recent COVID-19 federal, state and local requirements.
Please note that our campuses are temporarily closed and ministry activities are postponed until further notice. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis and provide updates.
St. John family, I want to reassure you from scripture: “Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121: 2). Also, I want to remind you that we will keep you informed of updates.
Lastly, I want to invite you to reimagine our opportunity to stay connected as a church family. Let’s begin with prayer on tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00AM. The prayer call-in number is 530-881-1212, then enter 291359153#.
Ways to stay stay connected:
- Website
- Social media
- Facebook – St. John Church Unleashed
- Instagram – @sjbcfamily
- Twitter – @sjbcfamily
- Text sjbcfamily to 313131
- Church Newsletter – click here to be added to distribution
- Email publications@sjbcfamily.com
God bless,
Pastor Davis
______________________________________________________________________________
as of Friday, March 13, 2020
The St. John Church Leadership is in communication with our local health officials, governmental authorities, and observing best practices regarding public health and COVID-19. As it currently stands, we will hold our regularly scheduled worship services and will continue to monitor this situation. If there is any change from the normal scheduled gatherings and events, we will notify you as soon as possible.
Our church endeavors to consider as much relative information as possible regarding a decision on any change to our regularly scheduled gatherings and upcoming events in the days and weeks ahead. Please join us in praying for this situation and all those involved both here and around the world. While we should be and are being cautious and aware, we do not need to allow fear to rule in our hearts. God is at work in and through uncertain times.
If there are any changes, you will be the first to know, but you have to stay connected. Please visit our website, follow our social media outlets, and check your email/text messages. If you should have any questions or concerns, please feel to call us Tuesday – Friday, 8 AM – 5PM (972) 264-1483.
God Bless you and yours!
Pastor Davis
Ways to Stay Connected and Watch Service:
2. Log into your Facebook account and search for St. John Church Unleashed and click the “live” tab.
3. Opt in to receive text messages by sending sjbcfamily to 313131
5. Follow us on Facebook @sjbcfamily, Twitter @sjbcfamily.com and Instagram: sjbcfamily
Ways To Give Your Tithes & Offering:
1. Give Online: www.sjbcfamily.com
2. Givelify APP: Search for St. John Church Unleashed
SJC SEASON OF SACRIFICE & SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Join us in the St. John Church Unleashed Season of Sacrifice & Spiritual Renewal (SSSR) which will includes daily 6:00 AM Prayer Call, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Prayer Kickoff, Spiritual Renewal Sessions, Prayer Gathering – leading in to Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday! We seek spiritual renewal, insight and guidance in areas of spiritual discipline, personal development, family, church, community and more.
Click to download SJC 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Guide
Important Dates:
- Daily 6:00 AM Prayer Call Begins Wed. Mar. 18 – Ends Fri. Apr. 10 (Good Friday)
- 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting Begin Wed. Mar. 18 – End Fri. Apr. 10 (Good Friday)
- Prayer Kickoff – Wed. Mar 18, 12:00 Noon & 7:00 PM at Grand Prairie Campus
- Prayer & Spiritual Renewal Classes, Tue. Mar. 24, 7 PM SL and Wed. Mar. 25, 7 PM GP
- Prayer Gathering – Tue. Apr. 3 at 7p SL & Wed. Apr. 4 at 7p GP
4 COMPONENTS: Download SSSR 2020 Prayer Guide
1. Personal Quiet Time – Plan to set aside time to spend with God everyday and be consistent! Pray more regularly, meditate, recite devotionals, and read Scripture.
2. Church-wide Prayer Call – The 6:00 am daily (Sunday-Saturday) Prayer Call begins Wednesday, March 18.
CALL-IN NUMBER: 530-881-1212 / MEETING ID: 291-359-153#
3. Personal Sacrifice: – choose your own such that in your suffering you are constantly reminded of the power and presence of God in your life. Personal sacrifice/fast should be 21 days, not including Sunday (optional) beginning March 18 and ending April 10 (Good Friday).
4. Church-wide Sacrifice:
- Monday – Meatless Monday – No eating meat, except for the meat of the Word.
- Tuesday – Turn-off Tuesday – Unplug for at least 3 hours while awake and tap into the power of God. No TV, cell phones, computer, electronics, etc
- Wednesday – Withhold Wednesday – No non-essential spending of money. Instead spend time in prayer and in God’s Word.
- Thursday – Thirsty Thursday – No food. Water only (if medically able) from 6a-12noon. During this time develop a hunger and thirst for God’s Word.
- Friday – Family Friday – Unplug and spend time with family and friends. Pray, play board games, walk in the park, etc.
- Saturday – Saving Saturday – No non-essential spending of money. Instead spend time serving others and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Sunday – Sabbath Sunday – Day of worship. Join us for worship at one of services 7a, 9a, 11a at GP and 10a at SL
FASTING
Fasting is a spiritual discipline where the practitioner desires to hear from God. The practice of fasting is mentioned numerous times in the Bible as a reaction to various circumstances. We see from the biblical examples that fasting should be used as a means to humble ourselves before God and seek His forgiveness, comfort, help, guidance, strength and His will. Fasting allows us to draw closer to God.
The Bible also gives instructions about the attitude and approach we should have in fasting. Jesus warned about hypocritical fasting, trying to show off or make others feel sorry for us (Matthew 6:16-17). Instead we should not “appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place” (verse 18). Isaiah also contrasts selfish fasting with godly fasting marked by care and concern for others (Isaiah 58:3-10). Fasting was an act of repentance, as when the king of Nineveh ordered a fast after the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5-9). Fasting was also a reaction to intense grief, as when the bones of Saul and his sons were buried (1 Samuel 31:13). We also find people fasting when God’s deliverance was needed, as when Jehoshaphat was approached by a large invading army (2 Chronicles 20:3).
“Fasting” as it’s practiced by Christians during Lent implies abstention from certain foods, actions, or activities (technology, sporting events, etc). The Lenten fast entails a general spirit of repentance and piety that might distinguish it from other periods of the year.
The choice to observe Lent is a personal one—the whole point is to focus your heart and mind on the sacrifice made by Jesus, and if you do be prepared for a level of intimacy with God you have never known!
