Blogs from our Pastor and Staff

Posted May 14, 2020
 
    This Sunday, May 17, in Dobbs Hall, we will have one Adult Sunday School Class to be taught by Jerry Cook.  Children 6th grade and under will join their parent in the Adult Class while youth meet upstairs.

    Please follow all the health and safety protocols already in place. 

Sanitizer is placed at the doors for your use.  Looking forward to seeing you for Sunday School at 9:45am and 11:00am Worship Service.

    Together we’ll get through this.
 
 

Posted May 2, 2020

Baylor Church Family,

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!”
Psalm 122:1 KJV

In compliance with social distancing guidelines, proper sanitation and in the friendliest, most loving way we can, we will join together to worship at Baylor Sunday Morning at 11:00 a.m.

  * We will all enter from the main doors on Preston Street and be seated by an usher.

  * Only Choir members will enter through the Fellowship Hall doors.

  * Hand sanitizer will be placed at entrances – feel free to use it.

  * We will be directed to pews so we will not be passing by families that are already seated, then the exit will be controlled similarly and everyone will exit through the same doors.

 

    ***** If you leave the sanctuary, you will not be allowed to return to your seat *****

 

I know everyone wants to greet one another, shake hands, and hug again. 

I am looking forward to that time as well.  However, we will continue to practice proper social distancing.

Although not mandatory, feel free to wear a mask.  I am confident many will.  If you have any illness at all or are not comfortable meeting together yet, please stay home until your situation changes or improves.

We understand these protocols are temporary but will enable us to have a greater reward through simple short term sacrifice.  Also, please know the pews and most surfaces have been sanitized.

Note, we will resume Sunday School classes once similar protocols are put in place.  My hope is this will pass over soon and we’re able to enjoy our times of sweet fellowship, study and worship.

I am looking forward to this blessing!

Galatians 6:9
Bill Smith

 
Posted 5/3/2020
 
Baylor Church Family,
 
“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1 KJV
 
In compliance with social distancing guidelines, proper sanitation and in the friendliest, most loving way we can, we will join together to worship at Baylor Sunday Morning at 11:00 a.m.
 
* We will all enter from the main doors on Preston Street and be seated by an usher.
* Only Choir members will enter through the Fellowship Hall doors.
* Hand sanitizer will be placed at entrances – feel free to use it.
* We will be directed to pews so we will not be passing by families that are already seated, then the exit will be controlled similarly and everyone will exit through the same doors.
 
***** If you leave the sanctuary, you will not be allowed to return to your seat *****
 
I know everyone wants to greet one another, shake hands, and hug again. I am looking forward to that time as well. However, we will continue to practice proper social distancing.
 
Although not mandatory, feel free to wear a mask. I am confident many will. If you have any illness at all or are not comfortable meeting together yet, please stay home until your situation changes or improves.
 
We understand these protocols are temporary but will enable us to have a greater reward through simple short term sacrifice. Also, please know the pews and most surfaces have been sanitized.
 
Note, we will resume Sunday School classes once similar protocols are put in place. My hope is this will pass over soon and we’re able to enjoy our times of sweet fellowship, study and worship.
 
I am looking forward to this blessing!
Galatians 6:9.
Bill Smith
simul justus et peccator
 
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Posted 4/5/2020
 
by Chet Hensley
 
Exodus 12:41–42 (ESV): “It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt”
 
How many remember the 1973 song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” performed by Tony Orlando and Dawn? The origination of the song comes from the story of a man returning home to his girl following his release from prison. He told his girl to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree if she was still available and wanted him to come home. She did and he returned home.
 
Colorful ribbons have been used for years to help people identify and cope with stressful, if not difficult, situations. Even recently, to show support for healthcare workers, the news media has encouraged people to tie a white ribbon around a tree. Whether it’s a pink ribbon in support of families affected by cancer or a blue one in support of police officers, the placement of a colorful standard, ribbon, or flag helps identify the cause for which people rally around.
 
So, I believe, as we approach the Easter season, we who believe in the resurrection story should show our faith and identity in Jesus Christ for the month of April. I’m reminded of the Lord’s words in Exodus 12:2, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.” Then God indicated a blood sacrifice, a blood covering, would be necessary to escape the impending danger to the people of Israel and Egypt. After killing a perfect lamb, the people were told in Exodus 12:7, “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.” Then they were told to self-quarantine for a night as the Lord went through the land destroying all first-born males without the blood stained protected identity over their homes. Exodus 12:13 says, “The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:23 continues, “For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.” The people saved from the Destroyer identified with the blood sacrifice covering their doorposts.
 
Today we trust in the blood of Jesus, not on our doorposts but on our lives. “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin” (Ephesians 1:7). And, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Yes, we will still struggle with disease, sickness, pain, hurt, struggle, loss,and fear. However, we who believe have tremendous hope in the Lord to rescue us. To have this hope, your identity must be found in the blood sacrifice of Jesus.
 
So I’m asking you to put your faith and identity in Jesus Christ on display during Easter by simply tying a RED ribbon to a tree, a door handle, a car antenna, or somewhere else visible at YOUR home. When people ask, “what’s with the red ribbon?” tell them the story of Passover, rescue, and salvation found in the blood of Jesus. I believe God is in control and will deliver once again. “It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out” (Ex. 12:41).
 
Stay Home – Stay Safe
Chet
 
-=-=-=-=-
 
by David Howard
 
What a difficult time to try to conduct corporate worship, Palm Sunday and Easter. This Sunday is April 5 (Palm Sunday) and we were all set to see Bill Smith act out and sing Watch the Lamb. This will be the week that we usually consider as Holy Week. In this final week of Jesus’ earthy ministry, He entered riding upon a colt and the people came out to greet Him singing Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord. Events continued that lead to His arrest, trial and crucifixion. This of course led to the following week that began early on Sunday morning with His glorious resurrection.
Play the link below and view a beautiful portrayal of “Watch the Lamb”.
I will try to send future stories and songs that you can watch and even sing along with. Stay safe and pray for your church, city, state, country and world.
Love you in Jesus.
Bro. David
 
 
 
 
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Posted  3/21/2020 – 9:30pm
 
We will not have services on Sunday or Wednesday Night.  We will post videos and links here for sermons, lessons, and important announcements.
Thank you for your patience as we work to get better at this.
 
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Posted 3/18/2020
 
We are living in unprecedented times.
Luke 21:13, “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.”
 
The current situation and official word from community authorities requires us to stop gathering in large groups. I wanted to let everyone know how we will handle Baylor’s Sunday Morning, Evening, and Wednesday Night Bible Studies (DCG’s) during this time.

Tonight’s schedule, March 18, 2020, has been cancelled. We must now figure out what our new normal is going to look like for the next few weeks. The deacons and I will begin meeting every week to determine what the following week is going to entail. So, stay tuned to the church emails, phone calls, social media, and text messages for those communications.
 
My hope is that by making sacrifices in the short term we will be able to continue in our normal activities in the long. For now, here is the plan for All Activities should we not be permitted to meet.

Until otherwise informed, sermons and other lessons will be prerecorded and a link will be sent out each week for viewing. I encourage you to take this time to slow down and focus on what the Lord is teaching you and your family. The temptation to fill all our time with entertainment or other work seems higher now than ever but remember to take the time to invest in your relationship with the Lord.

Two continued opportunities for ministry remain during this time of concern. First, your unwavering faithfulness through giving will help the church continue her help in our Ennis community. You can mail your tithes and offerings to the church office at P.O. Box 1304, Ennis, Texas 75120. Second, we have a great opportunity to invest in our community through our
Baylor food pantry. Consider dropping off a can-good, and other non-perishables, daily between the hours of 8 am – 12 pm. I expect this time of sacrifice to radically transform how we look at ministry in the future.

As always, I’m available if you need anything. Let me know how I can help. You can also expect further communication from your family deacon. Until I can see you again in person, may God bless you and your family. My contact information follows:

Office: 972-875-2521
Address: P.O. Box 1304
Ennis, Tx 75120

I love being your pastor,
Chet
 
 
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Posted 3/18/2020
 
Members of Baylor,
Leadership met this afternoon and determined that a short term sacrifice
is necessary in response to global concerns. Please read the attached
document for our Pastor and deacon conclusions. Call if you have any
questions.
 
Vicki
 
10 N. Preston, Ennis, Tx 75119 – 972.875.2521(voice) – 972.875.7001(fax)