Verse of the Day

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Faith Baptist Fellowship Church service online tomorrow


“Sunday service will be online only tomorrow.
Join us online at 10:20 AM


— Posted on the “Faith Baptist Fellowship Church” Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/faithbaptistfellowshipchurch/posts/2909185695824004 [accessed 28 MAR 2020].

Friday, March 27, 2020

Reminder: Wayside Gospel Chapel services cancelled until further notice

Reminder: Wayside Gospel Chapel services have been cancelled until further notice. We are taking this one week at a time believing that the path of prudence is to follow the guidelines put out by the Governor and the President. This is especially the case where those who are more vulnerable to the disease caused by the virus are concerned: the children, and elderly in health categories like some of our members.

Here is what Pastor Bill Schneider posted on Faith Baptist Fellowship Church’s Facebook page (17 MAR 2020):

“Due to State and Federal endeavors to try and help control the corona virus, FBFC will not meet this Lords Day, March 22, 2020 for public worship. We will be live streaming a sermon and encourage all to tune in via internet. Also Small Groups and Edifying Women are cancelled this week. For now we will take it one week at a time. Please check the Church’s Facebook page and website for future cancelations, if necessary. We will also keep communicating through the prayer chain. Please share this information with those you know who may not have access to the prayer chain and/or social media. Continue to pray !!!”

Until things return to normal Wayside Gospel Chapel has 7 years of audio files of 320 previous sermons that you can listen to during these days. They are uploaded to Internet Archive at https://archive.org/search.php?query=uploader%3A%22spectertm2%40aol.com%22&sort=-publicdate [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. I do not have the means to record video or audio at home. 

Also, Faith Baptist Fellowship Church will have the live feed of the sermon there as mentioned above. Videos of previous sermons at FBFC are also found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC549l7ytlW3MSUWIZtzPmCg/videos  [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. This is linked on their web site at http://fbf.church/ [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. See “Past Sermons.”

You may also want to listen to the many wonderful sermons available on Grace to You at https://www.gty.org/desiring God at https://www.desiringgod.org/messages, or Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/.
See for example Ligonier’s Special Online Event: “Made in the Image of God” at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/made-image-god-live/Event Sessions Include: 


Christ the Image of God by Michael Reeves




The Dominion of God’s Image Bearers by H.B. Charles Jr.

Panel Discussion: Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis with Charles, Ferguson, and Parsons



by John MacArthur

Ask Ligonier with Ferguson, Nichols, Parsons, and Thomas

The Hope of God’s Image Bearers by Sinclair Ferguson

Update: These sessions have been made available for streaming, and are now individually linked. See  Nathan W. Bingham, "Stream for Free: Made in the Image of God" (20 MAR 2020), on Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/stream-free-made-image-god/ [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

All of Ligonier’s Teaching Series are now free to stream during this crisis. See Nathan  W. Bingham, "All Teaching Series Now Free to Stream" (17 MAR 2020), on Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/all-teaching-series-now-free-stream/.

There are many more great resources that could be recommended. Some are linked on the right hand side of this web site.

Soli Deo Gloria,

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA

Posted: 27 MAR 2020
Updated from initial post: 20 MAR 2020

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Links for updates on SARS-CoV-2, “COVID-19 virus,” or “coronavirus disease” pandemic

Here are some of the links for updates on the SARS-CoV-2, AKA “COVID-19 virus,” AKA “coronavirus disease” pandemic besides media resources:

“Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania” on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Pennsylvania Department of Health at https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Governor Tom Wolf at https://www.governor.pa.gov/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://www.coronavirus.gov/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

“Coronavirus Resource Center” on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ [accessed 30 MAR 2020]; and “Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)” on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html [accessed 30 MAR 2020].

National Institutes of Health (NIH) at https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

World Health Organization (WHO) at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 [accessed 22 MAR 2020].
Note: This is the least trustworthy resource since the publication by them of Chinese falsehoods on 14 JAN 2020:

“WHO risk assessment: To date, China has not reported any cases of infection among healthcare workers or contacts of the cases. Based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission. No additional cases have been detected since 3 January 2020 in China.”

This is not to be found in their Latest News releases, but under “Disease outbreak news” in the archived Emergencies preparedness, response “Novel Coronavirus – Thailand (ex-China)” (14 JAN 2020) on World Health Organization (WHO) at https://www.who.int/csr/don/14-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-thailand-ex-china/en [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

The WHO is now complicit in the international spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in the intervening two months since this release.

“WHO advice: Health authorities should work with travel, transport and tourism sectors to provide travelers with information to reduce the general risk of acute respiratory infections via travel health clinics, travel agencies, conveyance operators and at points of entry. WHO has provided interim guidance for novel coronaviruses. WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on Thailand based on the information currently available on this event.”

Source: Ibid.

With that huge caveat in mind, nevertheless, for information on other countries that you may be concerned about or praying for go to the daily “Situation reports” on World Health Organization at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

Note: A better source of first resort for such purposes would be on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. See links above. Notice the discrepancies between the WHO reports and the current data on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, Pa

Updated: 30 MAR 2020

Recommended Christian resources on SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 or coronavirus disease


FYI: Here are some recommended Christian resources on SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 or coronavirus disease. The listing is in chronological order.

John Piper, “Ask Pastor John Special Episode (interview): How Do We Make Sense of the Coronavirus?” (28 FEB 2020); audio (16:05) and transcript on desiring God at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-we-make-sense-of-the-coronavirus [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Colin Clark, “5 Prayer Requests from Behind the Coronavirus Curtain” (31 JAN 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prayer-requests-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Todd Wagner, “Should Christians Be Anxious About the Coronavirus” (3 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christians-anxious-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Akos Balogh, “Dear Christian, When The Pandemic Hits, This Is Our Time” (10 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dear-christian-when-the-pandemic-hits-this-is-our-time/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Alasdair Groves, “Anxiety, Waiting and the Coronavirus” (11 MAR 2020), on CCEF at https://www.ccef.org/anxiety-waiting-and-the-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Miguel Núñez, “The FAQs: Coronavirus Explained by an Infectious Disease Expert and Pastor” (11 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-we-know-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Andy Crouch, “Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A guide for Christian leaders” (12 MAR 2020), on The Praxis Journal at https://journal.praxislabs.org/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-26aaeb0396e3 [accessed 14 MAR 2020].
Note: This was quoted, recommended and linked in Justin Taylor, “A Guide for Christian Leaders in the Time of Coronavirus” (12 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/a-guide-for-local-christian-leaders-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Wyatt Graham, “7 Personal Responses to the Coronavirus” (12 MAR 2020), on Wyatt Graham at http://wyattgraham.com/7-personal-responses-to-the-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Jesse Johnson, “Should churches meet during Coronavirus?” (12 MAR 2020), on the Cripplegate at https://thecripplegate.com/should-churches-meet-during-coronavirus/ [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

Jay Kim, “Taking Church Online in a Coronavirus Age” (12 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/church-online-coronavirus-age/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Jonathan Leeman, and Mark Dever, “Quick Take: What Should Churches Do About Coronavirus?” (12 MAR 2020), audio (4:53) on 9Marks at https://www.9marks.org/pastors-talk/quick-take-what-should-churches-do-about-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Tom Ascol, “Thinking Christianly about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)” (13 MAR 2020), on Founders Ministries at https://founders.org/2020/03/13/thinking-christianly-about-the-coronavirus-covid-19/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

*This is not on the coronavirus per se, but teaches an important aspect of doctrine very relevant to the times in which we live in an excerpt from a great sermon by one of my favorite theologians from days gone by.
Roger Nicole (10 DEC 1915 – 11 DEC 2010), “Superlative Optimism” (13 MAR 2020), on reformation21 at https://www.reformation21.org/blog/superlative-optimism [accessed 14 MAR 2020].
Editor's Note: This address was originally delivered at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology in 1974. The present form has been adapted with permission from Our Sovereign God (Baker, 1977, pp. 147–153).”

Dane C. Ortlund, “8 Reminders in the Face of the Coronavirus Pandemic” (13 MAR 2020), on Crossway at https://www.crossway.org/articles/8-reminders-in-the-face-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].


Soli Deo Gloria,

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA

Faith Baptist Fellowship Church's sermon to be livestreamed

Faith Baptist Fellowship Church in Lake Ariel, PA will be live streaming a sermon at 10:20 am this morning. See their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/faithbaptistfellowshipchurch/, their web site at http://fbf.church, or their YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC549l7ytlW3MSUWIZtzPmCg [all accessed 22 MAR 2020].

This was posted on their Facebook page 14 hours ago:"Just a reminder - Due to State and Federal endeavors to try and help control the corona virus, FBFC will not meet this Lords Day, March 22, 2020 for public worship. We will be live streaming a sermon and encourage all to tune in via internet.You can join us online live at our website http://fbf.church on youtube , or on facebook live at 10:20We hope you will tune in."

Friday, March 20, 2020

Wayside Gospel Chapel services cancelled until further notice


Wayside Gospel Chapel services are cancelled until further notice. We will take this one week at a time. We believe that the path of prudence is to follow the guidelines put out by the Governor and the President. This is especially the case where those who are more vulnerable are concerned: the children, and elderly in health categories like some of our members.

Here is what Pastor Bill Schneider posted on Faith Baptist Fellowship Church’s Facebook page (17 MAR 2020):

“Due to State and Federal endeavors to try and help control the corona virus, FBFC will not meet this Lords Day, March 22, 2020 for public worship. We will be live streaming a sermon and encourage all to tune in via internet. Also Small Groups and Edifying Women are cancelled this week. For now we will take it one week at a time. Please check the Church’s Facebook page and website for future cancelations, if necessary. We will also keep communicating through the prayer chain. Please share this information with those you know who may not have access to the prayer chain and/or social media. Continue to pray !!!”

Until things return to normal Wayside Gospel Chapel has 7 years of audio files of 320 previous sermons that you can listen to during these days. They are uploaded to Internet Archive at https://archive.org/search.php?query=uploader%3A%22spectertm2%40aol.com%22&sort=-publicdate [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. I do not have the means to record video or audio at home. Next week we will work on recording a new sermon to upload.

Also, Faith Baptist Fellowship Church will have the live feed of the sermon there as mentioned above. Videos of previous sermons at FBFC are also found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC549l7ytlW3MSUWIZtzPmCg/videos  [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. This is linked on their web site at http://fbf.church/ [accessed 20 MAR 2020]. See “Past Sermons.”

You may also want to listen to the many wonderful sermons available on Grace to You at https://www.gty.org/, desiring God at https://www.desiringgod.org/messages, or Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/.
See for example Ligonier’s Special Online Event: “Made in the Image of God” at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/made-image-god-live/Event Sessions Include: 


Christ the Image of God by Michael Reeves




The Dominion of God’s Image Bearers by H.B. Charles Jr.

Panel Discussion: Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis with Charles, Ferguson, and Parsons



by John MacArthur

Ask Ligonier with Ferguson, Nichols, Parsons, and Thomas

The Hope of God’s Image Bearers by Sinclair Ferguson

Update: These sessions have been made available for streaming, and are now individually linked. See  Nathan W. Bingham, "Stream for Free: Made in the Image of God" (20 MAR 2020), on Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/stream-free-made-image-god/ [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

All of Ligonier’s Teaching Series are now free to stream during this crisis. See Nathan  W. Bingham, "All Teaching Series Now Free to Stream" (17 MAR 2020), on Ligonier Ministries at https://www.ligonier.org/blog/all-teaching-series-now-free-stream/.

There are many more great resources that could be recommended. Some are linked on the right hand side of this web site.

Soli Deo Gloria,

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA

Updated: 22 MAR 2020





Monday, March 16, 2020

Important update on the services scheduled for Debi Barrett's viewing and funeral!

Faith Baptist Fellowship Church posted the following important update one hour ago:

DUE TO THE STATE OF EMERGENCY:


DEBI BARRETT’S MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held Tuesday night 3/17/20 at First Baptist Church of Hollisterville (23 Pond Road, Moscow Pa) at 6:30pm. Visitation at 5:00pm.


There will be NO service on Wednesday 3/18/20