Shasta is Purple; New Outdoor Gathering Time

On Wednesday, the state announced that Shasta County has moved (once again) into a PURPLE, "Widespread" designation for COVID-19. This new designation comes with certain restrictions for places of worship, including a restriction from all indoor gatherings. I know this change can come with frustration, anger, and dismissal, or real concern and anxiety. Regardless of your perspective and understanding, I can say with certainty at every angle that the limits of the human will have been stretched beyond their capacity. I am tired. You are tired. When we are pushed to our breaking point, the triggered response is either to fight or to flee—in any case, to be done with the drama. But I continue to hold to the conviction that the third way, the middle way, of the church is to be faithful. Peter's words at the end of our passage for this Sunday ring especially true for us:

"Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good."
~1 Peter 4:19

Here's where we are at right now. Weather permitting, we will continue to meet as safely and as honorably as we can in order to love our community, to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, and carry the name of Jesus everywhere we go. This Sunday, we will be meeting ON CAMPUS AT 11AM out on the quad. It's supposed to be a bit chilly (thus the hour later), so dress warm! In the meantime, we will continue to work out the best way to serve the church and gather together wisely and feasibly. Looking forward to spending some time with you, to pray with you, to worship with you, and to testify how God has worked powerfully throughout this season. Even when we want to fight or flee, the Creator remains faithful; his will is unbreakable.

Grace and Peace, always,

Jacob Parodi
Lead Pastor, First Baptist Church

P.S. It's not too late to sign up for CULTIVATE! We are starting up this week, but you have plenty of time to keep up! Our first course, Biblical Theology, shows how the Bible is one unified story that point to Jesus—it's not just a bunch of metaphysical fortune cookies strung together. Learn more and sign up today: fbccottonwood.org/cultivate.