VBS for this year:
|
|
SUNDAY MORNING from the pastor January 5, 2003 This past week we welcomed a new year--with all its unrevealed blessings and tragedies, opportunities and challenges. And we ushered 2002 into history and memory--with all its meanness and all its graces. In Grace Church, we had a few births and deaths, a couple marriages, a handful of separations, and a great deal of sickness. We lost two members by death: Ernie Horton and Beatrice McLennan. Betty Connelly and Lella Lancaster lost their husbands and John Melton lost his wife of many years. Couples married included Jim and Janet Golaszewski, Clark and Mervette Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Brown, and Eric and Melissa Hays. Olive Gregory and Linda Berry moved to Michigan. And Emma Searing was born. (I am sure that my quick listing has left some out. Please let me know and I will include those names in next week's letter.) In Grace Church, 2003 was the year of the small group. Churches that are 103 years old almost never make a successful transition into a small group system. But with a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, Grace Church is in the thick of what looks like a successful transition. It was the year of two mission trips: an adult trip to Kentucky and a youth trip to Magnolia, North Carolina. It was the year the corn did poorly--profits for our mission work down over 70% from the previous record year. It was the year of exciting musicals for children in the spring and at Christmas. The music department initiated spring and Christmas concerts. Traditions continued in a January ski trip and a June camping trip. And the softball team struggled when they put me on the disabled list in mid July (inappropriately I might add.) Our doors were open for worship 52 Sunday mornings for 104 worship services. Our doors were also open 52 Wednesday nights for WellSpring--offering prayer and hope for those who are suffering. The men gathered nearly every Wednesday morning (except Christmas Day) for breakfast, fellowship, and study. A handful of women gathered nearly every Tuesday night to quilt. We went on the web for the first time--giving people 24/7 access to the church. We paid all our bills in 2002, including conference apportionments. And we slashed committee meetings for our members: we had only 4 committees and they only had 8 meetings among them. The rest of the work was done in ministry teams, small groups, think tank settings, and individually. As we begin a new year, traditions continue and new blessings await. But in all things, our church exists for the sake of LIFE IN CHRIST--a unique experience of abundant and eternal living--coming to us in our brokenness, weariness, confusion, and anxiety. May Grace Church be a life changing and life saving landmark--in our lives and in our community. --Mike |
