Dear Altadena Baptist Family,

Updates from governmental organizations, health organizations, local schools, and large churches throughout L.A. have led us to a few difficult, but (we hope) wise, decisions, in consultation with our Deacon Board. We do not take these decisions lightly, but we want to act in the best interest of our church family and their health.

  • For the rest of March, we will not hold Sunday morning services in the sanctuary. Instead we will livestream a modified worship service via our public Facebook page. (This page [ https://www.facebook.com/altadenabaptist/ ] does not require you to have a Facebook account, so anyone can access it.)
  • We will be cancelling all in-person mid-week gatherings, events, and programming until further notice (including the upcoming Women’s Prayer Brunch and Quarterly Business Meeting).
  • Our church office will continue to stay open (but with modified hours), so that we can serve each other through this very unusual chapter in our community’s story.

A few requests:

  • Our church is known for its warmth and love. Please consider how we can maintain and grow that value, even if we are not face to face! Reach out. And then let us know what happened!
  • Your generosity continues to be vitally important. The work of Christ that we participate in has not stopped, or changed, or lessened. We anticipate economic troubles for some of our families, but if you are in a stable financial position, please continue to give. (You can mail in your tithe, or visit http://www.altadenabaptist.org/donate/ )
  • Please pray. This pandemic reaches all levels of society, and is being felt everywhere. Overwhelmed parents. People losing their work and livelihood. Worried and stressed-out students. We need to pray for each other, for the world, for those infected and their loved ones, for first responders, medical professionals, and our elected officials. And pray for the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) as we navigate this together.

We love each and every one of you…and we know that God has a plan for this congregation as we worship and pray and work together — even if we’re not in the same room — to see His kingdom come.

The preacher Charles Spurgeon noted to his fellow believers during a cholera outbreak in 1866: “You may see men more alarmed than they are already; and if they should be, mind that you avail yourselves of the opportunity of doing them good. You have the Balm of Gilead; when their wounds smart, pour it in.” Although this is a time of great stress, we have hope in God’s power to redeem this situation — and our world — for good.

With expectation for God’s great work in us,
Pastors George and Connie

P.S.: We will be communicating electronically as much as possible — via the Messenger and other e-mails — so please watch your inbox!