March 23, 2020

Hello FCC Family, 

Wow! What an interesting few weeks it has been! We are beyond grateful for your support over the past few weeks and your willingness to be flexible as we all adjust to this new “normal.”

We hope you were able to join us for our first YouTube Live stream of the sermon on Sunday. If you missed it, you can still view the message by going to Youtube.com and searching for First Christian Church Salem, Ohio. The message is titled “Cancelling Fear.”

Yesterday, Governor DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton issued a health order that is asking all Ohioans to stay home, to help flatten the curve. We are going to do our part by closing our building at 5pm Monday, March 23^rd. We understand that you may still need the assistance of the church and there will be ways you can still reach us. 

1. Britney will be working from home and can still be reached via email (fccsalem@yahoo.com) and the church phone (330-332-4150).
2. Leonard will also be working from home as well, he can be reached via email (lamceinohio@yahoo.com) and his cell is 330-397-5088.
3. Our social media will have updates and information regarding things happening with FCC. This week we are having a little fun with a Spirit Week, so check out Facebook or Instagram for the details. 
4. Giving: If you feel called to give during this time, we are still accepting your offerings.

                         a. You can mail a check to the church

                         b. If you want to bring your offering by the church, we now have a secure mailbox that is mounted outside the main                                 office entrance. This will be picked up daily.

                         c. You can give through our online giving, by clicking on the "give" link on the website.

Finally, there's nothing like good music to keep your moral high! Check out our FCC YouTube Playlist on the First Christian Church YouTube Channel. In the meantime: trust the Lord and express your dependence on Him in prayer; keep looking out for others around you; exercise wisdom in your meeting with other people. 

We love you FCC Family!

FCC Staff, Pastors and Elders

March 18, 2020

Hey FCC Family, 

I want to give you an important update on FCC’s response to the Covid-19, or coronavirus, situation.  Our leaders have been monitoring the situation daily and have put together an action plan that impacts all of our activities at church. In keeping with the guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Ohio Department of Public Health, we will not be having an on-site worship experience or activities this Sunday and we are in discussions right now about closing through the end of March, (or for the next 2 weekends). Instead, at 9:00am on Sunday, we will be streaming weekend services online through our YouTube Channel at youtube.com and then searching, First Christian Church Salem Ohio. We will have the link to our YouTube Channel on our social media outlets as well as our website. We want to welcome you, your friends, and family to join us for our online experience.

This weekend I’m preparing a special message titled: “Cancelling Fear.”

Also, all Youth Ministries, including FCC Kids, Jr High Ministry, High School Ministry, and in-person meetings, will be postponed through March 31st.  We are working on content that we will provide via social media for your families during this time as well. We really want to partner with you parents as you navigate some hard conversations and fears that your children may be having as well. 

While we walk by faith and not by sight and put our hope in the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever, we have decided to act with an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our church family and surrounding community. We will continue to provide updates via our website and social media channels (i.e. Facebook & Instagram). If you could help us spread the word by reposting or sharing FCC content including video, or social media, we would greatly appreciate your help! 

Also, keep in mind the comforting words Jesus told His fearful disciples in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.”

As believers in Jesus, we can trust God, even in times of uncertainty.  And we can also simultaneously be bold in our love for one another and the communities and groups we are a part of. I’m so grateful for our incredible church, for our leaders, for our people who love and minister to each other… and I look forward to the new ways we will be able to love and serve our people and community in the future. 

Please join us online for our worship experiences this weekend and we’ll have more information then. We love you. We really do!  And we’re going to get through this in whatever way possible, TOGETHER.

- Pastor Leonard