Wednesday, 4/1/2020 Update:

Thank you to all who have joined us for Worship and Sunday School online. What a blessing it has been to connect with our church family online during this time. As you know the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is fluid. We are continuing to monitor and as previously communicated, we will keep you updated. The president has extended the social distancing guidelines until April 30. Today, the governor issued an Executive Order for Mississippians to stay home starting Friday at 5pm through April 20 to help to slow the spread of COVID-19.   As a result of these updates, the following changes have been made regarding our April events:

  • Sunday Services will continue to be delivered via Facebook and YouTube. (including Easter)
  • Sunday School on Wednesday will continue to be delivered via Facebook and YouTube.
  • Tithes and offering continues via truevine.org/give.
  • Ministry Meetings will continue to be conducted via tele/video conference. No face to face meetings.
  • Spring Revival has been cancelled.
  • Worship on Wednesday (WOW) has been cancelled.

Please continue to do the following:

  • Follow all guidelines established by the CDC and MS Department of Health.
  • Check on your church family. Don’t let a day go by without reaching out to another member to encourage        them and find ways to help them during this time.
  • Contact your deacon team if needed. If you need any help during this time, contact them who are able to pray with you and provide spiritual guidance through technological means.
  • Continue your giving to the church. Thank you for the ways that you have faithfully continued your giving via our online or in person. Your continued faithfulness helps us to maintain our day to day operations and obligations during this season of limited gatherings. 
  • Stay engaged with our church ministry. Whether it be through the online Sunday services, weekly virtual fellowships, social media, phone calls, etc., do what you can to stay engaged with our church family.
We are certainly praying to this end—that lives will be saved, health will be restored, and our community can return to normalcy. 
 
God promises to be our “refuge and strength” (Psalms 46:1). That means he is both our protector around us, and our comforter within us. He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Our recovery may be long but we will get through this. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.
 
Be blessed, keep praying, and stay safe!
 
Pastor James
 

Monday, 3/16/2020 Update:

As previously communicated, we are monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation very closely and will communicate updates as the situation changes. Given the latest updates from the CDC and the MS Department of Health, the following changes have been made regarding Sunday Services.

  • No live/in-person Sunday School or Worship service for the next two Sundays (March 22nd and March 29th). We   will deliver the Word/Sermon via video on truevine.org and Facebook.
  • Transition to online giving at truevine.org/give. Use this link to pay your tithes and offering.
  • Pastoral Anniversary is postponed to a later date.
  • All Cancellations communicated on Friday, 3/13 are still in effect.
Reminder to all that God is our refuge and strength. Let’s continue to pray for our community and nation during this time.
 
Thanks and God Bless,
 
Pastor James
 

Friday, 3/13/2020 Update:

Dear True Vine Church Family, As we continue to see the news regarding the coronavirus, we want to give you an update in regard to ongoing measures that True Vine is taking. We are monitoring the information issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi Department of Health. Please be assured that the safety and well-being of every person who comes on our campus are high priorities. As a result, the following changes are effective immediately and will be in place until March 31.

  • Sunday School – Sunday School will begin at 8:30am. It will be a Sunday School Review Only in the new          Sanctuary.
  • Worship Service – Normal schedule at 9:30am.
  • Cleaning – Increased frequency of cleanings in high touch areas.
  • Hand Sanitizer – The Medical Ministry will be positioned at the main entrances of the church with hand sanitizer      and coronavirus information.
  • Ministries – no face to face ministry meetings. Transition to electronic communication.
  • Food Pantry – Transitioning to drive-thru pantry. No entry into the fellowship hall.
  • Programs – No printed programs.
  • Cancellations (these events will not take place)
    • Breakfast at McClain Lodge on 3/14
    • Travel to Burning Bush in Grenada for revival
    • Bible Study (Noon and 6:30)
    • Face to face ministry meetings (transition to electronic communication)
    • Children’s Church
    • Anniversary Service Dinner

We are closely following the recommendations of the Mississippi Department of Health to help prevent the spread of the virus.

  • If you have traveled to a European country (see CDC link below), mainland China or South Korea or been in close contact with some who has, if you have been on a cruise ship, or if you have flown in the past 14 days, we are asking you to self-quarantine and remain home during church services. The service will be posted on Facebook and on truevine.org.
  • To prevent illness to the most vulnerable – older adults and those with chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, are encouraged to not attend church services.
  • If you feel sick, have fever or exhibiting flu-like symptoms, please stay home and watch the recorded service online.
Helpful links with detailed information on preparedness and prevention:
Please help spread the word, especially to our seniors. Let’s pray for God’s protection around our entire True Vine family, Rankin county community, and the entire nation as a whole. We will continue to monitor this situation. We will be in constant communication as things change.
 
As a faith organization, we are called to always maintain a posture and presence of faith. We are to let our light shine in the darkest of hours. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. We will follow the recommendations of our community professionals. But we must never lose trust in our Almighty God. King David said, “Except the Lord watch the city they wake in vain” (Psalms 127:1).   I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue our series, ‘Discovering Your Spiritual Inheritance’.
 
Thank you,
 
Pastor James