July Bridgeblast Information

From Pastor Gary:

WORSHIP INSIDE/OUT CONTINUES. Actually, it is “Outside/In” since our 9:00 worship is outside and 10:45 worship is inside, as well as online live streaming. Whichever way it is for you we have a lot of options as we navigate the CCT (Crazy Covid Time). Thanks for your flexibility to a changing schedule and circumstances. But the most important thing is that we “worship the Lord in Spirit and truth” and we continue to do that. We will continue this schedule until something changes, and it probably will. Thanks for your faithfulness in giving throughout this whole time. We are continuing to stay current on all bills, mission giving, and to the food bank.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL MINISTRY. Through this whole time, we are staying engaged as best we can in ministry. Paul Cochran tells me that 23 of our Bridge Groups are continuing to meet in a variety of ways. Thanks for your faithfulness to stay in touch. I am hearing of a lot of people making phone calls etc. to stay connected. So good. Keep it up. Our Student Ministry is going strong with Madelyn Tatum taking the lead this summer as our intern. In addition to the online meetings they are finding ways to safely meet in person for fellowship and study. Paul Cochran Jr. is a ministry intern this summer and working with young adults among other ministry endeavors. As I was leaving the office the other night, they were setting up to watch a movie outside. So great to see and hear of the good ministry among our students and young adults. BridgeKidz Ministry is going great. Online Bible studies are available as well as activity packs are available at our worship services as kidz stay with parents at both worship venues. Tammy Baylor and Tanya Herndon are doing a great job getting ready for “VBS in a Box” this summer. Everything needed to have a VBS experience at home or wherever is available. Check it out online.
MOVING FORWARD. During all the change of schedule and travel restrictions our Transition Team and our Student Pastor Search Team have been working hard in their respective areas. Progress is being made through both groups. You will be hearing more from them as the summer progresses. Please keep them in your prayers. We have a great group of servants on both teams. Keep them in your prayers.
GUEST SPEAKERS. I will be taking a few weeks of vacation in July and we have two great speakers lined up for Sunday mornings. On July 12 Steve Bradshaw, the Director of Evangelism from the SBCV, will be speaking. Then on July 19, Tom Melvin will be back to share with us. Thanks for your prayers as always.

From the Children’s Ministry:

VBS registration is now Through July 5. Here’s what’s in your vbs kit.:
Letter for parents with instructions and all the links for online content, each days small group and craft activities and some fun and cool VBS “swag”.

VBS kit available for pickup June 30 -July 2 3pm – 6pm. Please contact church office if these days or times don’t work for you.

If you haven’t registered yet or know someone who would like to register click or share the link below through July 5 to register. Kids 3 years through 12 years will receive their own VBS kit and snacks bag.

VBS Registration click here

From Paul Sr.:

God continues to work in all our lives during this season of change. It’s hard to know what is just around the corner but we continue to work hard to find the best ways to minister. Stay strong in your relationship with Jesus and find ways to stay engaged with each other. We will make it through these days and come out stronger on the other side. Our faith in Jesus is the key!

I have been working hard to collect information from our Bridge Group Leaders and we are updating the Bridge Groups page. This should be complete by July 1st for you to look over. You should be able to get there from our church website http://www.ironbridge.org Some groups are taking a break for the summer, others are changing their meeting time or location. If you see a group that interests you then contact that leader or feel free to contact me at paulc@ironbridge.org and I will be glad to help.

I am excited to offer something new this summer. I will be putting together a couple outdoor events involving music and some fun so the church can come and enjoy each other. Mark the evening of July 17th as a night to attend. You may want to invite a friend. We will make sure to do these events in a safe way so you can feel comfortable attending. Keep an eye out in the months of July and August for these events.

Take Care,
Paul

From Madelyn Tatum:

Happy July! We are so excited for all that we have coming up for the youth this month. Throughout June, we have enjoyed spending time both online and in person with our students. We used many online platforms for weekly events such as our Instagram Live Bible lessons, Zoom Ladies’ Bible study, and Zoom Game Night and Prayer. Recently, we have begun meeting at the church (socially distant, but spiritually close) through our Summer Kickoff Parking Lot Party and Wednesday night Fuzed gatherings. For the month of July, we are excited to announce some of the events we will be hosting! We will continue Instagram live Bible lessons on the Parables of Jesus (Sunday mornings), Zoom Ladies’ Bible studies, and Fuzed Wednesday nights. During this time, we will have adult speakers who are leaders in the youth group share with the students about their testimonies or what God has been teaching them recently. On top of these weekly events, we will also be hosting the following activities:

July 1: Movie Night after Fuzed (bring a lawn chair!)

July 8: Photo Scavenger Hunt during Fuzed

July 18: Lake day and Cookout at the Loftis’ house

July 26: Sunday Night Dodgeball Tournament

We hope you can join us in July for a time of fellowship, studying God’s Word, and growing closer with one another as a youth group. Contact Madelyn Tatum for more information or check out our Instagram page at Ironbridge.Youth!

From Paul Jr.:

The young adults are back! Whether you just graduated high school or you’re a few years into the workforce, we would love for you to come hang out with us. Throughout the summer, we’ll be meeting outside on Sunday mornings during the second service to spend time with each other and study the book of Acts. In addition, we’ll be getting together on Wednesday nights for “Fellowship Nights,” where we just watch movies or play games. Just last Wednesday, we had more than fifteen young adults gathered for an outdoor movie night! If you’re interested in getting involved, you can find our group on Facebook as “IBC Young Adults” or contact cochranpf@vcu.edu for more information.

Procedure for the use of the Church Building

It is so nice to have the church family back in the church worshipping again on Sundays at 10:45am.

We are eager to see some of our small groups returning as well; and some have expressed that desire to resume meeting in the church building. With Covid-19, phase 2 still active, we do need to follow some needed procedures when we meet.

1. Please call the church office (796-6868) to notify Melodie Lael or Sherry Hoover of your intentions to meet in the building – when, where, how many in attendance… so that the meeting room will be disinfected and sanitized appropriately. The attendance number is important as social distancing is in effect. The room size may not be adequate; thereby requiring re-assignment of the meeting room.

2. The face mask – should I? This is preferred, but not mandatory. Please be respectful of those around you. If you don’t feel comfortable in meeting in the building right yet,

then follow your heart and worship through the online service, zoom, etc.

3. Be helpful and provide hand sanitizer and masks in your meeting room if possible. The church has masks you may have.

4. Please note that we will continue the live streaming of the 10:45am Sunday Worship Service, and Pastor Gary is continuing the Daily Walk Devotionals. Visit the Ironbridge.org website and choose live streaming.

5. For those who desire to be on campus, we will continue providing the 9am Drive-in Service and the 10:45am in-person Auditorium Service.

6. Children’s Ministry activities will be virtual. The nursery and children’s ministry areas in the building are closed, therefore, children are to be kept with you in the service. Questions? Call Tammy Baylor, Children’s Ministry Director or email her: Tammy@ironbridge.org and find out more information on what is being offered online. VBS sign-ups are currently on the website, so sign up your child today and pick up their VBS kit: https://www.ironbridge.org/event/vbs2020/

The church office is open daily, 9am – 5pm (closes some days earlier) for attention to emails, phone calls, and daily office work. Be sure to stay connected via our monthly BridgeBlast and other texts and publications we are putting out.

Socially distanced, but Spiritually close.

July Bridgeblast