While many are still uncertain or uncomfortable traveling this summer and are staying close to home, we will take a road trip.

Each Sunday we will follow Old Testament men and women as they travel unfamiliar roads by faith.

We continue our “Road Trip” theme through Labor Day Sunday, Sept. 6. We also continue our worship services online. They are available beginning at 10:00 each Sunday morning on Facebook, YouTube and on swiftchurch.org. They are available on those sites perpetually, so if you’re not able to view on Sunday morning, you can worship on Monday night or Wednesday afternoon, or … .
  

Contact the office if you would like to record a “time with the children,” read Scripture or sing. Each can be done safely from home.

Because of a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in Baldwin County, Swift Church has reverted to Step 1 for worship, which means that the planned Wednesday night outdoor services are canceled until further notice. Handbell choir rehearsals, which resumed recently, also are canceled until further notice.

On June 24, we held our first worship service since mid-March on the sacred grounds of Swift Church. It was humid outside with physical distancing and no singing. It was also a time of scripture, prayer, handbells, keyboard, and seeing one another. The 30-minute service (actually more like 20–25) was nicely attended and appreciated.

Thanks to the handbell choir and Lisa for practicing over the summer in order to present the outdoor worship on Wednesday, June 24. It was wonderful to see them together again, even with their masks on. The porch of the church helped to acoustically project the sounds of the bells and the members in their chairs, scattered under the trees, enjoyed the music and message under the serenity of the evening sky. Thanks to Pastor Keith, Pastor Jody Beth, Lisa Cardwell, Jenni Cain and Marvin King for putting together this opportunity for us to worship together briefly and to greet fellow worshipers.

We appreciate our July volunteers as they help lead us in worship.

ACOLYTES
July 5 — ZoeyLynn Barnwell
July 12 — Cadi Cardwell, McCoy Cooper
July 19 — Lainey Thomas
July 26 — ZoeyLynn Barnwell

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
July 5 — Cathy Rogers
July 12 — Pate Cardwell
July 19 — to be determined
July 26 — Lynn Aspray

ELDER OF THE MONTH
Greg McNair

The Wednesday night handbell choir has begun rehearsing weekly and following cleaning precautions as well as social distancing (spacing 6 feet between ringers which means we cannot use our usual table setup). Our cleaning precautions have been set by the handbell industry. Although this takes extra time after rehearsals, our members are committed in doing this because they love being back ringing bells.

We are preparing hymn medleys for participation in our Wednesday night outdoor services. We have a men’s handbell quartet that is preparing an arrangement of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” to be played in a few weeks. Looking forward to hearing this.

Due to the research data presented by ENTs and epidemiologists on the spread of the COVID-19 virus even up to 26–30 feet (per a Choral America webinar as well as other ongoing research studies), we will not be singing during our worship services, even outdoor services, for a long time. This involves choral as well as congregational singing. There are no masks currently that are droplet-proof. There continue to be churches who are not following safe distancing, masks, and cleanliness precautions (and some who are following safe precautions) who are still experiencing the transmission of the virus among multiple church members.

Our priority at Swift Church is the health of our members. Although worship looks different now and will be for months or perhaps even years ahead, we desire to worship while providing the best protection to our members’ health. Please be patient and know that God is present in this current environment and desires a relationship with His people in all circumstances. We can bless each other with various methods of communication: in person with physical distancing, phone calls, texts, cards, emails … praying for each other, our concerns and celebrations. I noticed during handbell ringers’ interactions before and after our June 24 services that we could still be engaged in our sharing of our lives.

We still serve a loving God and a risen Savior. Rejoice!

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

As you know, unfortunately, our “Two or More” fellowship lunch and Butterfly Girls and Guys Night Out have been canceled until we can all get together again without the fear of spreading this pandemic. Hopefully, it will be safe to get back together again soon.

Hello from “Snacks with Susan and Daryl.”

We have resumed meeting at 9 a.m. on Sundays in the fellowship hall and are so glad to see you again.

Now through August, we are going to look at “Me & My Big Mouth.” It focuses on the book of James and his instruction about the one part of our body that never seems to get tired — our tongue. Join us for video and discussion.

— Susan and Daryl Pichoff

Cheryl’s class resumed meeting on June 28 at 9 a.m. We are in Ephesians, and Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus. Our class is in our usual place in room 2 in the annex, with 6 feet between us; we are wearing our masks and delighted to be meeting again.

— Cheryl Jensen

The Thursday morning Bible study continues to meet as an online study, through a tool called Zoom. It can be accessed on a computer or smart phone.

The study is led by Pastor Jody Beth Melton and Philip. Everyone is invited to join the group. Contact jodybeth7@yahoo.com — 251-213-6625.

“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
— Exodus 6:7

 Brett Cardwell | elder/children • Tracy Akins | elder/youth 

Sunday school classes for children and youth,
SWAG (Saved with Amazing Grace),
GphiG (Glori•fy•ing God), and Refuel will not meet until further notice.

Hello from “Snacks with Susan and Daryl.”

We have resumed meeting at 9 a.m. on Sundays in the fellowship hall and are so glad to see you again.

Now through August, we are going to look at “Me & My Big Mouth.” It focuses on the book of James and his instruction about the one part of our body that never seems to get tired — our tongue. Join us for video and discussion.

— Susan and Daryl Pichoff

Cheryl’s class resumed meeting on June 28 at 9 a.m. We are in Ephesians, and Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus. Our class is in our usual place in room 2 in the annex, with 6 feet between us; we are wearing our masks and delighted to be meeting again.

— Cheryl Jensen

The Thursday morning Bible study continues to meet as an online study, through a tool called Zoom. It can be accessed on a computer or smart phone.

The study is led by Pastor Jody Beth Melton and Philip. Everyone is invited to join the group. Contact jodybeth7@yahoo.com — 251-213-6625.

“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
— Exodus 6:7

 Brett Cardwell | elder/children • Tracy Akins | elder/youth 

Sunday school classes for children and youth,
SWAG (Saved with Amazing Grace),
GphiG (Glori•fy•ing God), and Refuel will not meet until further notice.

Hello from “Snacks with Susan and Daryl.”

We have resumed meeting at 9 a.m. on Sundays in the fellowship hall and are so glad to see you again.

Now through August, we are going to look at “Me & My Big Mouth.” It focuses on the book of James and his instruction about the one part of our body that never seems to get tired — our tongue. Join us for video and discussion.

— Susan and Daryl Pichoff

Cheryl’s class resumed meeting on June 28 at 9 a.m. We are in Ephesians, and Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus. Our class is in our usual place in room 2 in the annex, with 6 feet between us; we are wearing our masks and delighted to be meeting again.

— Cheryl Jensen

The Thursday morning Bible study continues to meet as an online study, through a tool called Zoom. It can be accessed on a computer or smart phone.

The study is led by Pastor Jody Beth Melton and Philip. Everyone is invited to join the group. Contact jodybeth7@yahoo.com — 251-213-6625.

“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
— Exodus 6:7

 Brett Cardwell | elder/children • Tracy Akins | elder/youth 

Sunday school classes for children and youth,
SWAG (Saved with Amazing Grace),
GphiG (Glori•fy•ing God), and Refuel will not meet until further notice.

Hello from “Snacks with Susan and Daryl.”

We have resumed meeting at 9 a.m. on Sundays in the fellowship hall and are so glad to see you again.

Now through August, we are going to look at “Me & My Big Mouth.” It focuses on the book of James and his instruction about the one part of our body that never seems to get tired — our tongue. Join us for video and discussion.

— Susan and Daryl Pichoff

Cheryl’s class resumed meeting on June 28 at 9 a.m. We are in Ephesians, and Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus. Our class is in our usual place in room 2 in the annex, with 6 feet between us; we are wearing our masks and delighted to be meeting again.

— Cheryl Jensen

The Thursday morning Bible study continues to meet as an online study, through a tool called Zoom. It can be accessed on a computer or smart phone.

The study is led by Pastor Jody Beth Melton and Philip. Everyone is invited to join the group. Contact jodybeth7@yahoo.com — 251-213-6625.

“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
— Exodus 6:7

 Brett Cardwell | elder/children • Tracy Akins | elder/youth 

Sunday school classes for children and youth,
SWAG (Saved with Amazing Grace),
GphiG (Glori•fy•ing God), and Refuel will not meet until further notice.