Welcome to First Baptist Church of Rochelle website

Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic all activities have been cancelled.

Please follow our church's Facebook page for up to date information about our church. Our Facebook link is: https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistChurchRochelle/?epa=SEARCH_BOX.

Please check out the links below for Bible Studies, Family movies and kids activities and other helpful information.

Right Now Media - This link will take you to the page to log in or sign up for a free account.

Here you have access to over 10,000 family friendly videos, huge variety of children's programing that is biblically based and fun to watch, plus hundreds of Bible studies by a wide variety of leaders available.

On the home page, click on "First Baptist Church of Rochelle." Then you will see "Videos to Strengthen You While the Coronavirus is among us." The pastor has put several videos in this section. He updates this frequently,

Lifeway - Talking about Coronavirus to your kids Here you have information on how to talk to your kids about the Coronavirus.

Lifeway Kids at Home Free Sunday School Curriculum & activities - LifeWay Kids team has created a free, temporary, at-home resource that will allow churches to equip families to conduct weekly media-driven kids Bible studies at home. To access the free LifeWay Kids at Home and LifeWay Preschool at Home resources, please follow these three simple steps:

Step 1) Go to digitalpass.lifeway.com

Step 2) Log in or create an account (free)

Step 3) Click the LifeWay Kids (or Preschool) at Home icon on the main page of Digital Pass

Red Ribbon Challenge

This idea did not originate with me, it originated with Facebook. On Facebook it is called “The Red Ribbon Mission”.

In the book of Exodus, God’s people had to trust in God that God would deliver them from the death angel. They had to put the lamb’s blood on their doorposts of their homes. This served as a visual reminder of their faith and belief that God was going to provide.

This challenge draws from that faith experience. As God has provided for His people in the past, I believe God will provide for us NOW! Let’s put a red ribbon on our mail boxes, front porch, around our tree, at your business to symbolize our belief that God will provide for us through the COVID-19 pandemic. What a great witnessing tool as well. When someone asks you what the red ribbon means, you can tell them about Jesus and how He will provide for us through this.

So, let’s flood our city, our neighborhoods with the hope of Jesus by putting up these red ribbons. Jesus will provide, God is still in control!!

God bless…Pastor Richard

Summary of

Covid 19 CARES ACT – What You Need to Know

Compiled by CPA in one of our Southern Baptist Associations

Last Friday, the president signed the CARES ACT, an emergency relief assistance program for individuals and businesses. Here’s a “plain talk” recap of the BUSINESS provisions of the act:

Virtually all businesses, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, will qualify for the “Paycheck Protection Program” (Sec 1102 of the Act). This program authorizes the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to provide a direct loan to businesses, and if used to maintain workforce/pay operating costs, the loan will be completely forgiven on a tax-free basis.

Overview:

• This program will be facilitated by local banks to handle the application and make the loan. In my quick survey of local bank websites, only Synovus has a Paycheck Protection Program website page; it takes your name/email and they promise to get back to you. However, I expect most banks will participate in this program and will have updated information early next week.
• I expect the application will be straight-forward and concise, since this is an “emergency” loan program. Qualification is basically this: You certify that you intend to use the money to retain workers, maintain payroll, make interest, rent or utility payments. Also, you must certify that “uncertainty of current economic conditions makes necessary the loan request” to support your ongoing operations.
• No collateral or personal guaranty is required. Interest is no more than 4%, and repayment (if not forgiven) can be extended to 10 years.

How Much Can I Borrow?

Generally, the amount you can borrow is based on an annual average of “Payroll costs” which includes gross payroll and certain paid benefits. Payroll includes payments to individual contractors that you pay. Take this total, divide by 12, and then multiply by 2.5. That is your maximum loan. (but can’t exceed 10 million…) If you are seasonal or new business, the calculation is a little different. If you are self-employed, the language appears to include your average profit in the payroll costs (similar to if you paid yourself via payroll).

What Can I Spend the Money On?

Payroll costs (including benefits), contractor payments, interest on buildings or equipment, rent and utilities.

How Does the Loan Qualify for Forgiveness?

While there is some tricky language here, it boils down to this: Beginning with the loan origination, keep doing (paying) what you were doing before the virus, and get your workforce/contractor payments back to where they were before June 30. While you get to count the non-payroll costs like rent, interest, and utilities, the forgiveness is lessened if you reduce your workforce.

What Should I Do Now?

Get your payroll records out for 2019 and January – March 2020. I’m not sure if the application will ask for costs by month, quarter or 12-month total; individual names or summarized. So have all that detail ready. If you have part-time employees, you’ll want to calculate “full-time equivalents” for each month.

Hopefully, you filed 1099’s for payments to your contractors as 1099 documentation will probably be required. If you didn’t, you may want to file late returns and pay the penalty.

Key Tip: (from Forbes online article) Some of the CARES Act language is vague and will be interpreted by your bank in their application. So regardless of who tells you what they think (including me), “it will be what the bank says”.

Conclusion

I suggest you be very proactive regarding this assistance program. Most all small businesses have been hit hard by the Covid-19 virus and the government is sincere in their efforts to help. Even though applications can be filed through June 30, contact you banker early next week and “get on the list” for the application.

As your pastor, I want to get this information into your hands. Again, this is a summary of the act that will help our small businesses. Please be proactive in this. I am praying for you and your business. I know this is tough times, but I know God is walking with us and will help us through this.

God bless,

Pastor Richard

Sermon Videos & Upcoming Events

Below you can check out a recent sermon and check on upcoming events scheduled. We pray that the Lord will use our ministries and events to minister to you and your family.