We made a big announcement this past Sunday . . .
WE’RE MOVING TO THE YMCA!
It is hard to believe we have been gathering at Ramble Creek for 16 months! Many thanks to Buck & Jenny Yates & the crew at Ramble Creek for their generosity towards us!
Next Sunday, October 3, we will begin gathering at the YMCA!
We have been looking for a location in town to gather for some time. After researching a number of different options, the YMCA seems to be a very good fit for us during this season. It has plenty room in the gym for us to gather each week to worship, but it also has wonderful facilities for our (ever-growing) children’s ministry.
So, mark your calendars & drive to the right location next Sunday!
Athens-McMinn Family YMCA
205 Knoxville Ave.
Athens, TN 37303
WE’RE DISCONTINUING THE LIVE-STREAM.
Sixteen months ago, we started live-streaming our Sunday service each week. We knew this was no replacement for gathering in-person; however, we wanted to continue to worship “together” while doing our part to “flatten the curve.”
We have continued to live-stream since March 22, 2020.
However, with the move to the YMCA, we have decided to discontinue the live-stream for the following reasons:
First, we do not have the personnel to continue live-streaming. During the first year of the pandemic, Gil Balch worked 20-25 hours a week for us & his primary responsibility was facilitating the live-stream. However, he no longer works for the church & adding this responsibility to his plate is no longer feasible.
Second, we will have substantially more setup in moving to the YMCA. We will be setting up chairs each week, along with a video screen, projector, & other items—in addition to the normal setup for sound, children’s ministry, & greeting. (While we are talking about setup, if you are interested in helping out & joining the setup team, contact Tim Smith!)
Third, we never intended live-stream to be a permanent option for our church. The New Testament repeatedly highlights the importance of the local church gathering for worship. There are things that do not happen when we are apart, even when we are gathering “virtually.” Our gatherings give tangible expression to the nature of the church as a body (1 Cor. 12) & as a temple (1 Cor. 3:16). In fact, the word for church in the New Testament is ekklesia & describes an actual gathering (Mt. 16:18).
As Jeff Purswell sums up well, when the church gathers:
“Through his word and the work of his Spirit God presences himself in a unique way among his gathered people (cf. 1 Cor 14:24-25). Christ himself ministers among us as each member, indwelt and gifted by the Spirit, serves and encourages and stirs up one another to love and good works (1 Cor 12:4-13). Through the preaching of God’s Word by an appointed shepherd who faithfully expounds Scripture, God himself speaks again, addressing his people, binding them together in community, and building them together as his dwelling place.” Jeff Purswell
Fourth, we realize some people are not comfortable attending the service each week or are otherwise unable. We are very sorry we can no longer offer live-stream. However, we will commit to posting the sermon each Sunday afternoon on our SERMON PAGE and CHURCH PODCAST for those who are unable to attend the service.