By LORETTA FULTON Schools, restaurants, gyms, even beauty and barber shops, were shut down, at least temporarily, by COVID-19, but one area of life never ceased–ministry. People with few resources need to eat, find clothing, and a place to sleep no matter the circumstances. So, when City Light Community Ministries suspended its Culinary Academy in the spring, a decision was
Read moreVacation Bible School is going online July 27-31 at First Baptist Church. All children are welcomed to tune in. First Baptist joined other churches in town, and across the country, this summer in moving the summertime favorite to a virtual experience. VBS was just one of many summer experiences either canceled or altered, thanks to COVID-19. VBS at First Baptist
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By LORETTA FULTON In a perfect world, kids would be gearing up for Vacation Bible School right now. As COVID-19 has reminded us, this isn’t a perfect world. Instead of making sure there’s enough cookies and juice for snack time, children’s ministers are making sure they know how to log in to the Zoom app. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic,
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By LORETTA FULTON It looked like a drive-in movie and sounded like a pep rally, but once the service began, there was no doubt that the National Day of Prayer was being observed in Abilene. Instead of on the lawn at City Hall or in a park, the service took place on the parking lot in front of the Abilene
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Today is the last of the Holy Week Luncheon Series sermons. No luncheons were held this year due to the coronavirus shutdown, but the ministers each filmed a sermon to post daily. The final sermon is from Phil Christopher, senior pastor of First Baptist Church. New Life in the Graveyard is based on John 20:11-18.
Read moreHOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Four Abilene Churches, continuing in a tradition over 35 years old in Abilene, are hosting Holy Week Luncheon Series–without the luncheon–Monday through Thursday, April 6-9. St. Paul United Methodist, Highland Church of Christ, First Baptist Church and First Central Presbyterian Church are the host churches. For the first time, the traditional luncheon series won’t be held, due
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By LORETTA FULTON COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, creating havoc, shutting down schools, churches and some businesses, and leaving everyone wondering when “social distancing” will disappear from our vocabulary. One thing it hasn’t been able to do is stifle creativity. Nowhere is that more evident than in the children’s and youth departments at local churches. Sunday School teachers
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By LORETTA FULTON Downtown Abilene was eerily quiet Sunday morning as parking lots at St. Paul United Methodist, First Central Presbyterian, and First Baptist churches were practically empty. That doesn’t mean nothing was happening inside. St. Paul and First Baptist broadcast services live as usual, although with no congregations, and First Central Presbyterian aired via Facebook. Sunday morning was challenging.
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By LORETTA FULTON They say the proof is in the pudding, but is it also in the creme brulee with fresh berries and whipped cream or herbed spaghetti squash? Or baked macaroni and cheese with shrimp or chicken? If so, students in the first session of the new Culinary Academy sponsored by First Baptist Church’s City Light Community Ministries already are
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Spirit Of Abilene 