Instructions for Streaming Sunday's Service
As another Sunday nears we will still be unable to gather as a church. We still have the ability to study the Word and worship God. Online is not ideal, but it is a tool that we can utilize and be thankful for. Even though we are unable to gather as a church family, you are still encouraged to gather with others in your house and view the service together.
Moving the church from gathering at the building to being online has meant that the number of those streaming has risen substantially. We are thankful for all those streaming, but it has meant that we need to adjust some of the technology we use for streaming. Here are a few ways to watch the service now - church website, Facebook Live, YouTube, and a Deaf Livestream. Please choose the one that is most convenient for you.
Church Website
Facebook Live
YouTube Channel
Deaf Livestream
Problems during the service?
We also encourage you to comment on the Facebook livestream if you notice any issues.
COVID-19 Announcement
March 17, 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE:
Online Service: Due to the new instructions being passed down by our governor of gatherings over 50 people now restricted, we will for the time being move our Sunday services to being entirely online. Unlike last Sunday when some chose and were able to attend the service in the building, this Sunday the only option will be to view the service online. This is not ideal, as this is not the church body coming together to worship and encourage each other, but we are thankful for the ability we have to still gather through an online service. If you know of someone in our church family who is unable to stream the service, please let Pastor David Hinz know.
Stream live on our website: Watch Live.
March 14, 2020 COVID-19 Letter from our Pastor:
It is difficult to know where to begin as I know this letter will be one of many letters that have been posted concerning the COVID-19 virus. There has been an onslaught of information and announcements over the past week, and in many ways the situation has changed on an hourly basis which has made it difficult to know how to plan as church leadership. As leadership of the church we have been attempting to gain information from different sources (government and medical), so that we can make an informed decision.
This morning (March 14), the pastors and deacons gathered to prayerfully consider how we respond to our purpose to glorify God, our command to honor our government, our desire to love one another, and our concern for our testimony in the community. We know our God is in control and we know we are to respond in trust of God’s sovereign plan and love for others in need, but a call that says we need to trust God, is not a call to ignore the potential danger or put others in unnecessary danger.
In light of all that, the following decisions have been made regarding our church ministries until further notice:
- Morning Services: Our only service at the church building will be our normal 9:00 a.m. morning service. This service will be adjusted in many ways to minimize contact and with the focus being on online streaming as we know many in our church family will be choosing to be a part of our service through streaming the service.
- No Children’s Ministries or ABFs (adult Bible Fellowships): There will be no children’s ministries, nursery, ABFs, or evening ministries. We welcome families to stay together throughout the entire worship service, utilize one of the cry rooms, or take part of the service through on-line streaming.
- Attendance: We know each individual has to consider numerous factors as they think through all their activities right now, and as a church we respect that different decisions will be made. We are encouraging those who are in a higher risk age group or have pre-existing issues to utilize our online streaming (if unable to stream the service we will make sure you receive a recording of the service). For those who are feeling ill or have recently traveled from high risk areas, we are asking that you show love for your brothers and sisters in Christ and take part in the service through online streaming.
- Encouraging Community and Care: Even though many within our church body will be unable to gather with us, we want to be intentional in encouraging care for each other and community. We are working on online discussion forums to be able to participate during the service and share prayer requests with the church family.
- Online Giving: An aspect of our worship is also our offerings to God. To allow those who are unable to gather physically with us to still worship God through giving, we will be enabling an online giving platform in the next few days. Once that has been establish, we will pass on more information.
Church family, please pray. Pray for your church family, pray for the community that God placed us in right now to minister to and proclaim a gospel of hope to many who are in fear, and pray for our gospel partners of which many of them have been dealing with the impact of this virus for months.
Communication will be vital for the life of our church in the coming weeks, so please do not hesitate to reach out to the church office (info@firstbaptistwb.org), a pastor, or deacon if you need specific prayer, physical help, or if you know of another in our church family who could use assistance. In the coming weeks we will each have to be more creative and intentional to be faithful to love one another, encourage one another, and care for one another.
I’m encouraged that these events are not the first events that have caused Christ’s church to adjust. Far greater challenges for the church have arisen over the centuries, yet in all of that Christ’s church has continued to exalt God, edify believers, and evangelize the world.
In Prayer,
Pastor Luke Love
The Riot and the Dance: Water
POSTPONED TBD
2 exclusive screenings of the NEWLY RELEASED documentary on God's Glory in Creation
Come see The Riot and the Dance: Water on Saturday, March 28th at First Baptist Church in West Bend, WI. We'll have 2 screenings - 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. This God-glorifying nature documentary was produced in partnership with Classical Conversations.
Directed by author and filmmaker N. D. Wilson (The River Thief, Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl), The Riot and the Dance is narrated by Gordon Wilson and inspired by his biology textbook of the same name. It’s a rare and much-needed film that combines beautiful, Planet Earth-style high-definition footage with insightful theological commentary and acknowledgment that this beautiful planet is not just an accident. It’s a masterpiece.
Concessions will be available. You'll also have a chance to win some door prizes! This is a kid-friendly event.
Tickets are free, but donations will be accepted throughout the evening in support of a Missions Trip Fundraiser to Peru. Please sign-up as space is limited!
Biblical Counseling Training
Be trained to be a certified Biblical counselor, through the ministry of Biblical Counseling Center. We live in a world filled with individuals who are struggling and hurting. The heart of this counseling training is to equip our church to minister to those individuals within our church and our community. The training classes begin on January 15, meeting Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. This is a 23-week commitment, and the cost is $100. Deadline to sign-up is this Sunday, January 5. Questions can be directed to Pastor Caleb.
Wednesday Bible Study
Join Pastor Dave as he leads a time of coming together in the middle of the week to be refreshed through an in-depth study of God's Word. The Wednesday Bible Study will begin on January 15 at 6:30 and runs through May 27.
The class is called "Walking In the Footsteps of the Bible." This class is designed for both the newer as well as seasoned student of the Bible of any age (seriously, any aged learner is welcome to attend). Learn how the land, locations and customs mentioned in the Bible can have a significant impact on our understanding of Scripture.
Even if you are unable to commit to regular attendance, you are welcome to attend. Each week's content will be very different from the previous and will benefit even for those who can only make it to a few classes. Printed and/or digital handouts will be provided, so those individuals don't have to miss out. (Also, for those who want to dig in deep to this study, Pastor Dave will have a wealth of recommended resources to browse and optional assignments available which will help you to benefit even greater.)
Pastor Dave says, "This is one of my very favorite classes to teach because I have heard from many how it had transformed the way they read the Bible and affected their understanding of God's sovereign plan to highlight His grace to the world using Israel to showcasing Himself and His Gospel. Designing and teaching this class has deepened my love for God, His Word, His land and people, and I hope it will do the same for you!"
If you are considering coming to the first class, please email Pastor Dave so he can have a general idea how many to set up for and have handouts ready for. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact him.
Adult Bible Fellowship
Our new Adult Bible Fellowships begin January 6. This time has been designed to encourage the church to know, minister, and encourage each other as we study God's Word together. Please make plans to be a part of your class as we begin this new ministry together.
Age-appropriate classes are also available for children and teens, as well as a staffed nursery.
Prayer Week 2020
Sunday, January 6, begins a week of prayer as we begin another year of ministry as a church. As you look at the early church in the book of Acts, there is a repeated theme of their devotion to prayer. This is a devotion that Paul calls us to have as well (Romans 12:12). And so as we start a new year we have set aside the first week to be devoted to prayer. There will be new prayer journals in the foyer Sunday, our services Sunday will be focused on prayer, and on Saturday, January 11, everyone is encouraged to stop by the church building for a time of prayer.
Doctrine Class - Spring 2020
The final segment in our study of doctrine begins Sunday evening, January 12 at 6 p.m. This year we will be studying the doctrine of the church and end times. If you would like to be a part of this class, please contact Pastor Luke.
Christmas Services 2019
Please mark your calendar and join us for our special services and activities this December. Contact us with any questions!
December 15 – Lessons & Carols at 6 p.m.
December 22 – Christmas Weekend Worship at 9 a.m. (no Sunday School or evening activities)
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m.
December 29 – Worship Service at 9 a.m. (no Sunday School or evening activities)
Lessons & Carols Christmas Service
Please join us this Sunday night, December 15 at 6 p.m. for a special time of worship and celebration as we read Scripture and sing carols about the birth of Jesus Christ. Our choir, instrumentalists, and children’s choir have also been working on special Christmas music. This Lessons & Carols service will also be streamed live on our website: Watch Live.