Church News
Community Chest Changing Food Bank Service Dates
Effective April 1st, the Hopkins County Community Chest “Food Pantry” will only be open for drive-in assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The change will allow the staff to better assist clients.
“Unlike businesses and stores who have closed, our intent is to continue operating through the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that these times are exactly when our clients need us most. We ask for your patience as we continue servicing Hopkins County,” said Judy Moore, HCCC and Christian Alliance executive director.
Hopkins County Community Chest is located at 217 Linda Drive. For additional information, call 903-885-3452.
Dinner Bell for April 1, 2020
A big thank you to the Cross Country Cowboy Church and the Lions Club, Community Partners while we were closed.
CHANGE, we must in these times. Meals will be prepared and packaged to go. They can be secured under the covered walk way at the northern edge of the First United Methodist Church campus. There is no inside dining until further notice. Dinner Bell’s mission is to feed and not endanger the health of our friends. Drive between the buildings and continue to turn right. Meal distribution is under the covered area.
Chicken Spaghetti
Salad and Ranch Dressing Cups
Buttered Bread Slices
Apple
The distribution starts at 11:45 a.m. We ask that you take as many meals as are persons in your car. Around 12:30 you may pick up meals for members of your family not in the car. Please follow this plan so that no one goes unfed. Our process is designed to hand out meals. Persons who try to receive more meals than allowed violate the mission of this ministry. COOPERATE and ALL may be fed. This is GRAB and Go DINNER BELL!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Hopkins County Emergency Management Update: Still No Positive Coronavirus Cases
March 19th, 2020
In a scheduled teleconference this morning, the Hopkins County Emergency Management team updated KSST News on conditions of the newly mandated crowd limits and COVID-19 concerns. As of 11:15am, NO new positive test results have been returned on local citizens. The team reiterated the need for social distancing and the restrictions on social gatherings to no more than ten people.
Judge Newsom shared that his experience was that restaurants that were keeping their dining rooms open were adapting to the social distancing guidelines effectively. Other businesses are encouraging social distancing for their customers. It is also up to the public to practice these measures and avoid situations of exposure.
One of the toughest restrictions has come as funerals fall under the group size mandate. The county realizes this hardship for families, and encourages memorial services in the future. The protection of the health of all of our citizens is the main concern in this trying time.
Judge Newsom anticipates for this declaration to stay in effect for several weeks or more, although it is up to the County Commissioners to review the status each week, and decide whether to loosen or tighten restrictions.
Calvary Baptist Church Cancels ‘In Person’ Service
Calvary Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, TX has cancelled the ‘In Person’ Sunday March 22nd, 2020 service. Everyone is encouraged to view the service via Facebook Live. The link should be available on their Facebook Page.
Hopkins County Issues Emergency Declaration For Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 18th, 2020
Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge, issues an emergency declaration for the citizens of Hopkins County. This Declaration issues a State Of Disaster for the county. This will last for seven days unless extended, as it will be evaluated by county commissioners as soon as Monday, March 23rd. Events in Hopkins County will now be limited to have no more than 10 people in a social gathering. This undoubtedly will affect a large number of events in Hopkins County. KSST News will continue to update this page as we get more information.
Dining rooms in restaurants are not restricted at this time, unless they have larger parties considered “social gatherings”. Restaurants may utilize their dining rooms with no tables seated for more than ten and all occupied tables more than six to ten feet apart. As many restaurants go to curbside pick-up and delivery, most have already made these arrangements.
School Board, county meetings, and city meetings can still go on as they are not considered “social gatherings” Plans are being developed to help attendees of these meetings achieve social distancing. All Civic Center events for the next two weeks are cancelled according to Civic Center general manager, Lonnie Fox. Future events beyond that will be evaluated weekly as the health scare continues.
Although the emergency declaration comes from the County Judge, input was received from city, county, state, and emergency officals. Jason Ricketson spoke as to the reasoning of putting this plan in place. He said, “As we see the numbers of positive test results rise in other parts of the state, we think distancing is important as to not overwhelm our local medical resources.” Again, no positive tests for coronavirus has been returned from any patient in Hopkins County. Ricketson also stressed the importance of the younger generation to heed these warning to protect the older generations.
This will affect all churches but retail stores will be able to limit their total customers as they see fit. Social distancing between customers should be offered at these establishments, but the total amount of customers at one time will be controlled by the each individual store.
Judge Newsom ugred citizens to band together to get through this crisis.
Continue to refresh this story for the latest information.
Davis St. Baptist Church Cancels Next 3 Services
Davis St. Bapstist Church will not have services on the following dates: Wednesday, March 18th, Sunday, March 22nd, and Wednesday, March 25th.
Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church Cancelled For 2 Weeks
Dinner Bell at The First United Methodist Church will not serve meals the next two weeks, March 18, 2020 and March 25, 2020. Large groups are being discouraged from assembling due to the worldwide pandemic.
Future meals and the serving of them will be discussed in the next week. DINNER BELL IS NOT SUSPENDING the serving of weekly meals. We value the health and welfare of both those who come to eat and those who prepare the meals. A two week suspension may be the time needed for the disease to be on a downward spiral.
Other ways to distribute meals will be discussed and evaluated. This ministry is too important to disband. Time is needed to examine this service.
Sadly I send this message hoping all will understand.
Judy Gilreath @ Dinner Bell
AG Paxton Establishes Resource Webpage For Volunteer Security in Houses Of Worship
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today launched a webpage containing educational materials and resources for volunteer security teams to legally and effectively protect houses of worship.
The webpage at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/houses-worship details Texans’ constitutional rights, necessary laws and licenses related to carrying firearms, and training resources for security volunteers in houses of worship.
“As we recently witnessed in the heroic actions of Jack Wilson during the White Settlement Church shooting, volunteer security at houses of worship can provide immediate, life-saving responses that protect worshipers in dangerous situations,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Nobody should fear for their life while attending a worship service. With this easily accessible webpage, the brave men and women who make up volunteer security teams across the state can be equipped with the information and resources they need to protect their communities.”
Texas law allows churches, synagogues, and other established places of worship to establish security teams without obtaining a license or permission from the state, if the volunteer security team members are:
- unpaid volunteers;
- providing services on the premises of the place of worship;
- not wearing a badge or uniform that identifies them as security or creates the impression that they are law enforcement officers or personal protection officers.
In addition to clear descriptions of the law, the new webpage also features pathways to security training programs and grant funding opportunities that empower volunteer security teams to protect worshipers from any potential threat.
Wildcats Baseball Team Plays Well in Wylie East Tournament But Final Game Is Disappointing
After a nice tournament run to get into the championship game at the Raider Classic in Wylie East, the Wildcats Baseball Team came close to winning but a late rally by Dallas Lake Highlands spoiled the day Saturday, March 7.
Jaxon Chaney drove home two runs in the bottom of the fifth to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. Lake Highlands scored three runs in the last two innings to win, 4-3.
After the game, Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack expressed disappointment. He said he expected more than five hits off of Lake Highland’s pitchers. He said too many Wildcats’ hitters were easy outs. The Wildcats hit into double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings. With the late lead, Coach Hammack said he was hopeful for a win especially with the solid pitching he was getting from Jace Evans.
He said the defense was playing pretty well until a sixth inning error. He also said there was a mental error when an outfielder threw to the wrong base allowing two Lake Highland’s runners to get into scoring position. Unfortunately, only one of them scored in that inning. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats just did not play well down the stretch.
Overall, the Wildcats went 3-1-1 in the tournament tying Frisco Liberty and defeating Dallas Lake Highlands, North Forney and Frisco Liberty before losing to Lake Highlands.
The Wildcats are now 7-3-1. They open district play Tuesday night at home against Royse City at Wildcat Park.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Dinner Bell Menu for March 11, 2020
The Messengers Sunday School Class is the Community Partner
Herb Crusted Pork Loin
Colcannon (St. Patrick’s Day is coming– this is an Irish dish of mashed potatoes and cabbage)
Garden Salad
Yeast Rolls and Butter
Lemon Cake To Die For
Chilled Lemon Cake (the no added sugar dessert)
Same time (11:45 am). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church). It is Spring Break Week. Students on a holiday are very welcome. We hope to see them. Places at the tables are open for them.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
