It was on October 17 then, that we said yes to what God was preparing us to do. We firmly believe that God’s hand will also guide us as we begin the feasibility study for the proposed Capital Campaign. We praise God for his Spirit working with and through us during this spiritual adventure.

Listening to the thoughtful and heartfelt comments coming from the congregation, it was clear that a continuing strong and growing children’s and youth ministry was a top priority. To that end, the Sunday School Task Force authorized the creation of a Children’s Council chaired by the Pastor. It has become the responsibility of the Council to monitor and coordinate the organization and growth of our ministry for the children. The functions of the Council include recruiting and training of staff, curriculum, facilities and resources, music, Christmas Pageant, Easter Egg Hunt, Kick-Off Sunday, Vacation Bible School, publicity, Bible Bucks, missions, and nursery care. The Council has already met three times with a vitality and commitment which I highly value and appreciate.

Innovative this year and beginning with the September session is the scheduling of Sunday School for children age 2 through 4th Grade at the same time as the worship service. This makes it possible for parents to attend worship while the children are in Sunday School. Many have found this to be helpful.

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Caleb Eckel as our new Lay Youth Minister. Our thanks, of course, go to Eric Leonard for four devoted years of service as Youth Ministry Coordinator. Thanks, Eric for everything. We praise God for the ongoing commitment that this congregation has to youth ministry. Let us keep Caleb and our youth in our prayers and support them with our time. Adult volunteers to help in a variety of ways are an absolute necessity for the success and growth of our youth program. Please help when asked or volunteer when you see the need.

Worship, of course, continues to be at the core of our life together as Christians. It is during our worship times that we come together to praise God for what he is doing in our lives now and then to be empowered for the journey ahead. Music, the sacraments, and the spoken Word continue to lift us up in the glory of the Lord and then to send us forth to share the good news of Jesus Christ in the world where we live. A recent enhancement to our worship services has been the installation of a projection system which covers both the Sanctuary and the Chapel. In time, we plan to use the new system more fully in a variety of ways.

In conclusion, I truly praise God for a faith-filled congregation, a solid leadership base, an excellent staff, and our master plan for ministry. God is truly working in this place. In the words of a hymn, "To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things he has done. With his blood he has saved me, with his power he has raised me; to God be the glory for the things he has done." God bless you all.

Blessings,

Lee Adams

Pastor