Church Remarks for the 2003 Yearbook of the Primitive Methodist Church

CHURCH REMARKS - 2003 YEARBOOK
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2003 CHURCH REMARKS WYOMING DISTRICT Jesus asks us to examine our own motives for our seemingly pious acts. What’s our real reason for doing the things we do? He says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen of others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting . Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your faces, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:1 – 6, 16 – 21 NRSV) In this passage, Jesus points out a tendency that is more prevalent than ever in our society, the tendency to judge every act by the question, “What’s in it for me?” How do I benefit from this? Social commentators tell us that more and more Americans are judging laws, social policies, careers, and the like by this question. Human beings are naturally self-centered. This trait manifests itself early in life. Infants and toddlers expect, even demand, to be the center of attention. As the world seems more complex and threatening, we are turning our focus inward. Fear causes us to focus on ourselves. Self-centeredness also stems from a lack of love. I John 4:18 reminds us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Whatever the reason, no one can argue that much of our society chooses to “look out for number one.” And this attitude eventually spills over into our worship of God. We want some return on our investment here! If we are going to pray, we want others to praise our eloquent speech. If we give money, we want a mention in the newspaper or a nice plaque in the entryway. If we fast, we want folks to point to us as a good example. What’s wrong with a little pat on the back now and then? And then Jesus gets all preachy on us about treasurers and our hearts. Jesus is telling us here, that it is possible to do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. He is telling us that if we strive for praise in this life, we will lose an infinitely greater reward in Heaven. He is challenging us to get real about our faith: are we self centered or God-centered. Do we worship and pray and fast and give because of an overflowing gratitude that says, “Lord, I can’t say “thank You’ enough”? Can we confront Jesus’ suffering, humiliation, and death on our behalf and remain self-centered? Can we read these words about the Messiah in Isaiah 53 and still think that way? “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (vs 5 NIV) And remember Jesus’ own prayer in the garden not long before his arrest, when he prayed, “My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt. 26:39 NIV) In his darkest hour, Jesus wasn’t thinking about himself. He wasn’t asking, “What in it for me?” He had all the powers of heaven and earth at his disposal, and yet he laid them aside in order to fulfill his mission. Jesus knew what was in store for him. Suffering. Humiliation. Death. And he faced it all on our behalf. “NO GREATER LOVE HATH ANY MAN THAN THIS –THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS BROTHER.” Where will our focus be in this coming contractual year ? What question will we be asking? “What’s in it for me?” Or, “How can I make my life a living sacrifice of praise for Your great Love?” May we choose a God-centered focus for our worship and our life, so that we may experience the great riches of God’s love us. The 2003 – 2004 theme for our District is “Christ Centered Ministry Focus (Not I But Christ)”. PLYMOUTH FIRST – For the second year straight, the Lord has blessed our church with increased attendance. We continue to emphasize community outreach through our youth ministries, annual worship service in a local park, and Fall Festival in our parking lot. Our members have been faithful in inviting their families and friends to worship services, and the Lord is blessing us with a strong and uplifting church fellowship. We eagerly anticipate all the Lord has in store for us this coming year as we seek to be aggressive in our approach to make the good news of Christ’s gift of salvation known. PLYMOUTH FRANKLIN STREET - Praise the Lord for sending us Rev. Hagopian and family. Under his leadership we have tried new methods to reach the unchurched. We have seen a few contacts join in worship with us. David Wildoner completed the Local Preacher’s Course. Items that our church have been busy with this past year: puppet ministry, community outreaches, seminars, Prayer & Bible Study with card showers, New Years Eve Watch Night service, communion at midnight, distributing tracts, vision meeting, Pastor and Dave active with chaplaincy programs at local hospitals, an increased attendance at Sunday Evening and Wednesday Evening services, and a VBS. SCRANTON - We praise God for His continued blessing, some new faces in church, and pray for their desire to become active members. Youth Council serves as a good outreach to neighborhood children and sponsors children’s worship. All are blessed by monthly children’s sermons from Rev. & Mrs. Charles Beth. VBS drew from 16 different churches, and raised $465 support for Utatlan students. We participated in Angel Tree program, Prison Re-Entry Ministries, and sent 27 shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child. Missionary Society made 61 Good News bracelets for Utatlan School. Members give generously to missions and the restoration project despite the poor economy. WILKES BARRE FIRST - We offer praise and thanksgiving to our God for his sustaining power toward us during this past year. Although we can not report any spectacular progress we maintain a good fellowship amongst God’s people here. We continue to meet the challenges presented to us and earnestly seek our Lord’s help and direction for our congregation. We look forward to this year and hopefully accept the changes that God is directing His people to make in their lives and in the congregational efforts. We are standing together with open arms to receive God’s outpouring of His Spirit upon us. WILKES BARRE EAST END - God blessed us with another good year. Several women went to the PM Women’s Retreat and also the Southern Methodist Women’s Retreat later in the year having an excellent time. Our annual Easter Egg hunt had the best attendance yet. We had a Fall Festival for Halloween and invited the community to come having a great turn out for this also. We took 2 vans of our youth to the Alive Festival with one person witnessing how it changed their life. We participate in Operation Christmas Child. Some of our men are involved with the Wyoming District Prayer Breakfast monthly. WILKES BARRE LAUREL RUN – Praise God for his blessings. Exterior of church was painted and water in basement problem was solved. We increased mission giving to over 15% of income including sending emergency funds. We had a great VBS with three children being saved. Other blessings were our prayer chain, extra early Sunday Morning services during summer, and being able to send over 60 shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child. We participated in the borough’s Homecoming weekend with special Sunday services. Sunday school pays half the cost of sending kids to PMBC and we are supporting camp with the sale of tapestry showing history of our church. WILKES BARRE PARSONS - We are grateful for the opportunity to present the message of the Gospel in the Parsons community and beyond. Our Prayer Chain and Prayer Partners programs remain strong. We were privileged to send 115 shoe boxes to “Operation Christmas Child”. Two men have gone from the Parsons church to present the Gospel in a pastoral ministry. Dave Berry is the pastor at Girardville and Dave Elick is the pastor at Mountaintop. Rev. William & Thelma Fudge (retired) and Lillian Hughes (ministerial widow) are members. MESSIAH BEAR CREEK - PTL for opportunities to serve sharing message of salvation to community. Year witnessed astonishing growth in Church attendance, Sunday school, Bible Study, Discipleship Training, and in finances - mission giving exceeding $20,000. Outreach ministries conducted: Bear Creek 5K/Children’s Half Mile Run; VBS staff presented message of Faith to children and families; Choir presented Easter and Christmas Cantatas delivering Lord’s message; Women’s Fellowship shared message of salvation at several socials. Our Vision – To Build Kingdom of God by reaching out into community, workplace, and family bringing unchurched to Jesus, edifying all believers through preaching and teaching of the Word of God. AVOCA - God is so good. We the people are thankful how God works. We continued our Bible Study, Prayer Partners, Fellowship Breakfast, and Adult Fellowship ministries. As our finances increased by faithful members, our church ministered together. Working together we spruced up our parsonage – painting, papering, shampooing rugs, purchased vertical blinds down stairs and mini blinds up stairs and a new refrigerator. We were also able to have our church sanctuary painted and our beautiful pipe organ over hauled. As we work in harmony this coming year God will lead and surely bless us. DICKSON CITY – Faithful is our God! Many more of our people have become bolder in their evangelistic outreach resulting in souls saved and a good number of seekers. Our “Jesus” video project and Bible distribution continues to be fruitful blessings. We report four healthy, active youth groups, a growing Sunday morning Children’s Church and a number of wonderful Youth special programs and activities throughout the year. Adults and Youth continue faithful in Prison Ministry projects. Plans have been made to enter the Natural Church Development for a guide to a healthy Church. Seventeen souls have been saved. Praise His Holy Name. NANTICOKE - We praise God for His blessings upon us this past year. We have seen an increase in attendance for Sunday Morning Worship Service as well as in Sunday school, Children’s Bible Club and Bible Study. We had a successful VBS, and our seventh Annual Live Nativity. We enjoyed a Trick or Treat Night with 130 children from the community attending. 5 People joined the church. Several new families are attending. Plans for the future have been met with optimism. JERMYN - Greetings. We have enjoyed a wonderful year here. Through times of trial we have found the Lord powerful in sustaining us as our weaknesses are exposed. We humbly look to Him for sanctify grace as we pursue his will and image as individuals and a church. Active groups in our church include our choir and vocalists, an active missions program, VBS, and Children’s Christmas Pageant. Special events this year included our Choir’s presentation of a God and Country cantata in September. Over 240 attended and this was useful in creating outreach opportunities and strengthening relationships. BLAKELY - Once again the Lord has brought us through another year as a congregation, blessing us with many opportunities to be a blessing and find ourselves blessed in serving Him. Loved ones have left behind legacies of faith to follow. Our children continue to be a blessing as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Our prayer ministry has blessed in many ways. New believers are being discipled. The food pantry continues to be a blessing. With Isaiah 58:6–12 as our continue template, we pray for more opportunities to be “repairers of the breach”. The Lord is good. LAWRENCEVILLE - Year has been very difficult seeing active members become homebound. Through death, we lost a number of older members but their memories spur us to work for new heights. We are thankful for elders of our denomination that come performing baptisms and communions. We work with our DS to provide the services that are needed. We have fellowship dinners throughout the fall, winter, and spring months allowing us to invite family, friends, and people outside church to join us. We step up and heed the Master’s call to share Jesus by taking opportunities to witness and share the Good News of Salvation. TAYLOR – We praise God for continuing to watch over our church. This past year we were very saddened by the loss of Rev. Evans’ wife, Alice. She will always be remembered and greatly missed in our church. We continue to be financially strong hope Rev. Evans with assistance from Rev. Robert Finley will keep us spiritually strong through the coming year. HAZLETON – In 2002 St. Johns’ celebrated 130 years of ministry. We were reminded that just after 30 years of ministry, St. Johns was preparing to close its doors. Then God brought a great revival and great growth. This past year we rededicated our rebuilt pipe organ. Also Operation Christmas Child continued as a popular ministry with increased participation. Pam & Jose Munoz ministered to us, sharing how God has worked through them. Later they had dinner with our Youth, speaking with them one on one about missions. We are praying for revival in God’s way and God’s time according to God’s Word. JOHNSON CITY – PTL for His blessings this past year. Conducted many outreach programs, including water distribution during annual Ackley Avenue Yard Sale and holiday dinner for families of our youth. While experiencing numerical growth in youth programs we are especially excited that eleven youth have came to know Christ. Along with increased attendance, over twenty adults recommitted to Christ or made first commitments. We continue Saturday evening prayer for revival and maintain our participation in the Triple Cities Holiness Association. We had our annual missionary banquet and our missionary weekend. We look forward to continued growth in the Lord and His Word. BROOKLYN – Early November we began worshipping in a different building (temple) located in the exact Hispanic area that we had desired and ask God to assist us in making the arrangements. Lives are being saved and new families are joining us. We have seen a great increase in assistance to Sunday school and Worship Service. We are feeling very enthusiastic about spring’s arrival. Purchased movie projector to aid Bible Studies and bring the Gospel to the homes of non-believers and believers. Planning a campaign to go visit the houses located around our new (temple) location inviting them to visit us sharing the Light of the world. MOUNTAINTOP - New Life Community Church has been truly blessed. Experienced a year of hardship but the Lord has brought us through a learning experience and molded us into a church. Church started as a Bible Study in October 2001 receiving a NMB Church Planter the following year. After zoning problems, returned to our original location. With the resignation of Church Planter, we voted to continue and the Conference President and NMB approached David Elick to assist. We have 34 now on roll averaging 19 for Worship and fellowship. Thursday night Bible Study is well attended. Special services were held for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Return to Index at the Top of This Page SCHUYLKILL DISTRICT: TAMAQUA – Thank God for His blessings! We are growing in Christ, through Sunday morning and evening services and men’s and women’s groups. Sermons challenged us to follow Jesus, and we’ve grown in our understanding and practice of worship. We started a youth group. We shared the gospel with people in town at our community Lenten service, on Christmas Eve, through VBS, and with 106 members of the Tamaqua Fire Department at their annual memorial service. Our folks are sharing Christ with their neighbors, friends, and family and helping meet needs of people in Tamaqua, sharing Christ’s love with them. SAINT CLAIR – We would like to share our praises and thanks to the Lord for His may blessings this year. Our Bible study groups continue to be well attended and our Sunday school attendance has increased. Four adults were received into full membership. Several community families have been helped through our “food barrel” ministry. We hasted the community Lenten service with Larry Ahlborn as guest soloist and pianist. Our pastor, Reverend Donald Keller, is retiring and we are praying for God’s wisdom to direct our path as we search for a new shepherd. We are placing ourselves in the hands of conference. GIRARDVILLE – God continues to bless us at Girardville. Our Sunday School, Worship service, evening Prayer & Praise service and Wednesday morning Bible Study touch lives. The blessings seen through prayer within this Body of Christ extend to others through International and Local Missions giving. Many have been reached through VBS, Good New Club, Cantata and GIFTS ministry. Our doors are open to all and the truth and love of Jesus Christ is shared with everyone. Past members are returning and new folks are coming in. We are well on the way to recovery by God’s grace and look forward to His future plans for us. MAHANOY CITY – Greetings in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ! Though we are small in number, we still meet faithfully for Worship. Pastor Ron has stayed with us as a District Supply for this past year. The lower level of the church is still being used by the Senior Citizens Center and that helps with our finances. We love Pastor Ron and his wife and we place ourselves in the hands of Conference requesting their return. SHENANDOAH – Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We at Bethel PM Church are a very small church and as we reported last year are unable to support an Elder. However, Pastor Ron stayed with us as a District Supply. That made us happy, as we love him and his wife. Our Ladies’ Aid still meets faithfully and there is love in our Christian Family. We place ourselves in the hands of Conference requesting the return of Pastor Ron. MOUNT CARMEL – We praise God for our continued relationship with the Shamokin PM Church. The circuit has allowed us to remain open for another year. The year has proven to be a difficult one in that several of our key member have endured health problems. However, we continue to praise the Lord for His goodness and provision. We have voted to request the return of Pastor Brian & Theresa as well as recommend Elder’s ordination providing all requirements have been met. SHAMOKIN – Praise the Lord – his strength lifts us up. We have established a nursery and children’s church to attract young families. Our puppet ministry, “Splash Kingdom”, resulted in a young family attending, and our Halloween activity, “The Living Dead” reached almost 175 with the message, “Don’t die without Jesus, you’ll live to regret it.” New pew Bibles were dedicated this year, and a worship team established. We have had one conversion and a young man studying to become a member. We place ourselves in the hands of Conference, requesting the return of Pastor Brian Nichols. We recommend his ordination, providing all requirements have been met. WEST CONSHOHOCKEN – Romans 10:13, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” We praise God for our youth. We started a second youth group. They continue with lock-ins, camp ministry, and local school ministries. VBS was successful in establishing new relationships. We were involved in community services for 9/11. We collected food, clothing and furniture for fire victims. We participated in Angel Tree. We have seen an increase in visitors and have retained some of them. We have people in our community stopping for prayer. We continue to have a desire to win our community for Christ. MAYFAIR PHILADELPHIA FIRST – “My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11) We can’t understand the way churches change, but God sees the whole picture. The past twelve months brought 7 new members and 4 juniors with one conversion. Attendance is up 20%. Young couples bringing babies to church, Boomers bringing themselves. Our Baby Clothes Exchange is prospering. Sunday School is growing. Pray that the Lord will help us feed a spiritually hungry neighborhood, and accomplish His purpose in Mayfair. HATBORO COMMUNITY – The Great Commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and the Great Commissions, “God and make disciples of all nations” formulate the mission purpose of Hatboro Community Methodist Church, “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known”. This year we have been involved with Whosoever homeless mission, and Life Abundant prison ministry. Monthly concerts and a summer outreach concert were held. VBS and pre-school remain vital outreach ministries. The Sunday morning worship service with the worship team and relevant messages for today’s unchurched people continue to be an inspiration. HCMC praises God for increased attendance, mission giving and renewed vision to reach our community for Jesus. We continue to incorporate the NCD, Sonlife ministry, and Purpose Driven Church philosophy of ministry. LANGHORNE – This year at Trinity has been a year of tremendous highs and some tremendous lows, but through it all the Lord continues to bless us as a congregation. This past year we received thirteen new adult members, and we have another who attends, but has not yet made a commitment to membership. We also received eight new junior members. We have a strong teen youth group. Our pre-teen group has continued to grow and has had a high of over thirty in attendance. Trinity is reaching our community for Christ with many outreaches all of which have had new people in attendance. ALLENTOWN – 2002 has been a year of transition for Christ Methodist. The year began with Pastor Smith suffering some physical complications. By early Spring he made the decision to retire, after 26 years as pastor. Harold A. McKenzie was contracted as district supply, beginning July 1. The transition has made it difficult to maintain programs, so the church has functioned with Sunday School, Morning Worship and Wednesday evening study for this year. LIONVILLE – Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” We believe this is the vision of our church. Through the process of ReDevelopment we believe God has called us to proclaim His Better Life to our growing community. We helped co-ordinate a township National Day of Prayer and took part in Convoy of Hope. We hosted a community picnic for over 200 people. We sent 11 youth to PMBC and provided Christmas presents to the Friends Association of the Care and Protection of Children. We hold a Bible study at a local Assisted Living Facility, and three Bible Studies at church or in homes. We offer Divorce Recovery and Grief Recovery groups. We minister to over 300, and have given 30% of our total budget to missions. Thanks to the process of ReDevelopment we are excited and renewed in our focus to introduce our community to the one who provides the Better Life. NEWTOWN – “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” The members of Newtown Church remain steadfast in purpose to serve the Lord. We are seeking His will for the future of the church and desire to be obedient to God. We are thankful for the support of the National Missions Board, the Investment Foundation, and the advice of Reverend Ritts and the prayers of many in the denomination. Return to Index at the Top of This Page PITTSBURGH DISTRICT: Rev. Bernard Murphy, District Superintendent: “Great is the Lord and Greatly to be Praised!” We report 56 souls won to Jesus Christ this past year. Our desire is to see more won this conference year. We praise God for one of our Young men entering the ministry, Tyler Parry. We’re thankful for the retired minister and wives in the District: Rev. and Mrs. Allwine; Rev. and Mrs. Anderson; Rev. and Mrs. Balsinger; Rev. Chomas; Mrs. Hildebrand; Rev. and Mrs. Watkins; Rev. and Mrs. Wilson; Oh Yes, Rev. and Mrs. B.L. Murphy. On November 30, 1952, I began my ministry, and this year celebrated my 50th year in ministry! Praise God! WESTMORELAND CITY – “God is good, and His mercy endureth forever.” “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.” Quite a bit of work had to be completed with our church building this year. Refinish the sanctuary interior walls, install two new furnaces with air conditioning, which then required extensive electrical work. We also installed a new sound system throughout the entire church. We give praise to God for supplying our needs, because our members responded and many memorials were given to help finance these projects. Jose and Pamela Munoz and their two girls ministering to us from Guatemala also blessed us. If Conference do not send us a pastor Rev. Murphy has agreed to return. PITTSBURGH FIRST – Isaiah 54:13 states, “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children.” At the Pittsburgh First we have been teaching our children. We added a primary class for 3 boys. Our pre-teens have been learning doctrine and the history of our denomination in preparation for joining the Junior Church. The teens have been studying the book of Revelation, as well as current events. They have also collected for Samaritan’s Purse at Christmas, and have had dinners to raise money for missionaries. Kids having fun & VBS continue to be our outreach into the community. We also started a Thursday night women’s Bible study & a men’s Bible study on Sunday. No one is left out. PITTSBURGH SECOND – We praise God for His blessings and guidance this past year. We are rejoicing in the healing of some of our members, because of these healings, the members have had many opportunities to witness about our wonderful God. We have grown both spiritually and in number. We received two new members, and another family is attending every Sunday. We had two conversions. Praise God! Wednesday night prayer and youth group has be re-instated. We support Operation Christmas Child, Beulah Baptist Church food bank, clothing drives, Salvation Army, and others. Our missionary society continues to send reward cards to Guatemala. SWISSHELM PARK – We are grateful to God for His faithfulness at Swisshelm Park. We continue to be pleases with a solid attendance, and have added three members to our Sunday School. We enjoyed a successful VBS and Community Fun Fair. We continue to see new families at our Fun Fair outreach. We are blessed with two Sunday services, Sunday School, weekly youth and children’s ministries, and midweek prayer and Bible study, as well as monthly mission project nights. We have an annual Christmas program that has proven to be a tremendous outreach to the people of the community. MERRITT – “Give thanks to the Lord for His is good. For His mercy endures forever.” Sunday School is growing. Another class added. There has been an increase in children attending Friday Night Youth. 14 Adults and 8 Juniors have been taken into membership. We praise the Lord for souls saved. Sanctuary has been painted and a new wall has been built. On Saturday mornings, we have a bread ministry. Sadly note the passing of Walter Smith. New flags purchased for church, memory of Edith Tokar, Alpha Class. One Sunday monthly we have a ministry at Scenery Drive Nursing Home. Sent 93 shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse. VICTORY – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The Lord has continued to strengthen us at Victory with continued success in Nursing Home craft and singing programs; with Hymn Sings and special music programs; with a successful VBS; with a fantastic outpouring of love for the Christmas Shoebox Program and also the Ark, a local family crisis center. We are looking to the Lord for our guidance and continue to thank Him for His blessing upon us. SUTERSVILLE – Our focus was on Jesus. Matthew 13:47 says, “Once again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.” We have enjoyed additional people in our fellowship. After the Conference President cast the net in the form of the worship message, the largest membership group anyone could remember (6) were welcomed. After the District Education Convention, we cast the net in the form of a junior membership class of nine students and the Sunday school increased. As Jesus said in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.” GRATZTOWN – Wow! The year 2002 to now has had its share of ups and downs, but the good news is we are climbing once again. In October, we suffered what we thought would be a fatal blow for our congregation when Henry Frain was asked to step down from our pastorship by the executive board. Through the grace of God we were then blessed with TWO men willing to help our church, Ron Kosar & Doug Slater. Pastor Doug has been a great inspiration to us and has a firm foundation in the Word. Our church has also purchased a new sound system for our praise and worship music, contributed significantly to Pocono Mountain and to mission work. Helped Baby Garrett, who has Downs Syndrome, to get his final treatment in Mexico (he is doing Fantastic!) and is helping to raise funds for the Lion’s Den, a local Christian coffee house/outreach ministry. Our numbers may be small, but the Lord is working here in mighty ways. GLENWOOD – God has continued to bless during 2002. The year began with a number of conversions as we reached out in some unique and sometimes unexpected ways. In February, we hosted the Grove City College Touring Choir. 160 people attended and several TV stations covered it. We made strides in developing a Praise & Worship team. Our Youth group has grown and the youth are actively sharing their faith and inviting friends. Young children benefit from excellent instruction in the Word through Sunday School, Junior Church and Pioneer Club. We have seen the moving of God’s Spirit, we believe this is a direct result of seeking the Lord will in prayer. CARNEGIE – The Lord continues to bless the Carnegie Church. Our Kid’s Club is well attended as were our VBS, our Neighborhood Outreach Day, our 12th Old Friends Night and our annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. We’ve had 3 weddings, several baptisms and 2 membership transfers this past year. Our outreach ventures include local missions projects, missions abroad, and assisting our church neighbors with needs of all kinds. Our congregation is extremely supportive of our extensive renovations and our newly installed parking lot, both of which are nearing completion. We look forward to continued blessings in the upcoming year. HOUTZDALE – God has been moving in and through the Houtzdale Church resulting in another year of dynamic growth, 18 conversions, 14 believers’ baptisms, 10 adults and 4 junior members received. We reached out to the community in a variety of ways including hosting Justin Kron from Chosen Peoples Ministries with a “Messiah in the Passover” presentation, VBS with 72 in attendance, a friends and neighbors Sunday which brought many visitors, participation in a community live nativity, monthly door to door ministry and a seniors outreach ministry. Two men are studying in Local Church Elders program. To God be all the glory! STRONGSVILLE – Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in Him. The congregation sees its strengths as being a source for continual spiritual growth and as a house of prayer. Individuals outside the congregation ask for prayers and draw strength from the answers received. We had an excellent VBS with 6 youngsters asking Jesus to be their Savior. We are blessed to have one of our young people entering into full time Christian service. We continue to seek the specific vision that God has for our local congregation. BEAVER FALLS – Praise the Lord we have had a good year and are seeing spiritual growth. We have a Good News Club on Tuesdays and Child Evangelism did a Five Day Club this summer. Two decisions were made for Christ. We tried something new this summer. We had an Adult Vacation Bible School Our average attendance for the week was 14 and everyone enjoyed it. The lessons were presented by our lay people with the exception of one day. We plan to have missionaries in quarterly and started with Richard & Joyce Pavlik from the Southwest Indian School in September. Along with our regular support of the City Rescue Mission we also contributed Thanksgiving and Christmas donations to a needy family in the area. New hymnals were donated to the church. STREETSBORO – We praise God for three new Junior Members, five adult and five teen conversions, one infant and three believer’s baptisms, new families attending regularly. Our VBS, Pioneers Clubs, Youth Group “Coffee House” nights, New Year’s Eve lock-In, Christmas Candlelight Service and Cantata and Men’s Prayer Breakfast are all well attended. Our Red Hat Society witnesses to women in the community. Mission support is consistent – we hosted several missionaries. We’ve established an Evangelism Committee and have begun our outreach into surrounding communities. There is a spirit of optimism and enthusiasm with a vision for the future of the Church. Kudos! (100) GLEN RICHEY – Again this year we have been blessed by the Lord. Average church attendance is 45. We added 1 adult member and 1 Junior member. Had 1 transfer to another PM church. We redid the bathrooms, recarpeted the hall, office and kindergarten classroom. Formed another teenage class. Have 20 attending youth group. We had 8 baptisms. Have active Ladies’ Aid and Bible Study. We have an annual Christmas card and community calendar delivery. Harvest home for needy of surrounding communities. We continue to grow. Ask to be left in care of district with Pastor Stiner returning. Return to Index at the Top of This Page WESTERN DISTRICT: We are blessed with three Retired Pastors in our district: Rev. Hubert Kidd, Rev. Eugene Martin and Rev. LeRoy Pearce. Three Ministerial Widows reside in our district: Phyllis Evans, Lee Ann Sargent and Dorothy Tippins. Our district is represented by the following missionaries: Diane Duntze, Doug & Margaret Grenawalt, Nelson Perkinson and Gwen Sargent. FRASER – We still do not have any services in our church, but keep the doors open. We support our sister church in Boone. BENTON – We celebrate the leading of the Lord in guiding us into a new area of ministry – our Community Center. Since this came as a surprise to us, we are still trying to develop a vision as to how to best utilize it for the glory of the Lord. We have also been blessed by the Lord with a great Youth Worker, Cathy Schroeder, who has created a very successful Jr. High Youth Group and our VBS programs. Our mission giving continues to be double our tithe, and we have found out that we just can’t outgive the Lord. We are blessed in too many ways to describe here, with dedicated workers, with members with vision and faith, and with opportunities to serve in the kingdom. God is great! LEADMINE – We continue our faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ. This past year saw our church featured on the front page of a local newspaper as a church of perseverance and dedication. We rejoice that God continues to use us to reach the people of our neighborhood through our holiday services and with our gift baskets. NEW DIGGINGS – It is with the help of God that the Church at New Diggings has finished a wonderful year. This was a year when, with the help of God, many improvements were made to our church; a new furnace, repainting of the church, remodeling of the Fellowship Hall, and a new roof. So we thank God for His wonderful help. PLEASANT VIEW –This has been a hard year for our farm families, with crop and milk prices being at an all-time low. Our families have had to trust on the Lord more than ever. God has blessed the church with a great and exciting VBS and has anointed the regular service with good music and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Several have been saved and our Sunday school is growing and becoming strong. The mission giving is up, so all-in-all, God has given us a wonderful year. STANDART – The Lord has been in the hearts of the little country church. The Lord called one of His own home, that affected all those in our church. We have gained two more believers in our services. Hopefully, soon they will join as members. Our church mission works are going strong, supporting three groups of missionary families. We constantly pray for continued guidance in the plans the Lord has for our little church. WESTVIEW – Westview continues to praise God for what He’s doing. Last year we took in 3 new members, and 2 were saved. We’ve made many physical improvements to both church and parsonage. With other Western District pastors, Pastor Glendenning had a large part in starting the Hispanic Church and constructing the apartment. The Glendennings have brought a powerful ministry of music to our church. The “Double Your Pennies” campaign raised our awareness of Missions. We’re building our Sunday School and youth group. Attendance is up; there’s a renewed spirit of hope and revival. We’re excited about the future. BIG PATCH – We’ve been encouraged, challenged and blessed by the Glendenning’s ministry. Although we’ve not grown numerically, we ARE growing spiritually. Some joined Westview choir for Easter and Christmas cantatas and District praise gatherings. Many attend Westview Sunday and Wednesday evenings. First Sunday evenings each summer month is at Big Patch. Community ministry is through Meals At Home, Thrift Shop, and Oasis Christian concerts. Ladies Aid continues making Guatemala and Dominican Republic projects. We gave to the Hispanic Church and with ladies of Westview gave a baby shower for Maurina Cordero. Special events: ice cream social/concert, harvest potluck and packed Christmas Eve service. STREATOR – Praise God from whom all blessings flow. He has brought us two new members, and significant spiritual growth in our church family. Through the NCD survey we took, we have identified areas that need to be renewed and strengthened. With God’s help we have started to raise these important characteristics to reach out to the community through our VBS and Kids Club. This year also saw the start of a ministry to the physical needs of our community. We saw three children partake in Jr. Membership courses, with other children coming to learn the Gospel. Return to Index at the Top of This Page EASTERN DISTRICT: MATTHEWS – We are grateful for the blessings that the Lord has given to us this year. We have seen an increase in attendance in both worship and Sunday school, adding 12 new members to the church rolls with 2 conversions as well as 5 new members in the Sunday school. There are two active Bible studies Monday and Wednesday nights as well as a younger children’s Bible Club. During Christmas week the Sunday school children and adults put on a play during worship entitled, “Mouse Tails.” Outreach ministries included VBS, food pantry, sponsored tuition for needy student to local Christian school, provided over 90 gifts to a local orphanage for Christmas, caroling at five nursing homes and distributed gifts with Salvation Army. The Lord blessed us with an inheritance that allowed us to give 10% to missions and remodel our parsonage, for which we are grateful to the Lord. TIVERTON – Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever. We thank and praise the Lord for our pastor and church family. Our primary focus this year is to teach and learn by doing the Sonlife “Growing a Healthy Church” goals through winning, equipping, building and multiplying in obedience to the Great Commission. Praise highlights include VBS, a large tent prayer memorial on the church grounds on 9/11/2002; 10 adults received into membership; a new Bible study on Thursday nights, a new Friday night Home Praise and Fellowship time; a Christmas live Nativity; and a new church instrumental Praise Band with vocals, guitars, drums, etc. Finally we thank the Lord for a healthy, unified core of Quarterly Conference and church officers working together to glorify the Lord. LAWRENCE STREET – Our outreach efforts for 2002 include: Sunday Evening Praise Time, weekly youth & children’s activities, Senior Dinner, Angel Tree to several families of prisoners, Missionary Society Food & Craft Fair for missionaries, monthly Nursing Home service, local concerts of prayer, Ministry Delivery Team for Prison Fellowship, discipleship Bible studies, and evangelism Explosion visitation team to homes of unbelievers. Our church opened a Literacy Center for middle school students having trouble with reading and math. We have been meeting regularly to discuss how we express our love for the Lord during worship. This has led to very difficult decisions for our church, and honesty regarding the depth of our commitment to Christ. CUMBERLAND – As a community of believers our desire is to minister to those within our body as well as those outside the body. Our activities and events of the past year include: a junior church program, a youth group, a week-long DVBS program during the summer months followed by a weekly Wednesday youth night throughout the summer. Our Christians in Action program continues to take food to hospitalized of bereaved people in our community. A ladies’ craft night meets once a month, and our senior choir has presented various musical presentations during the holiday season. We went Christmas caroling to nursing homes. Missions emphasis and giving remain high. 25 are preparing for a work team to Guatemala next year. Men from the church have been assisting the pastor with visitation. New people are coming to church, and we continually look for different ways of making ourselves known in the community and surrounding area. NEW HOPE – The Purpose of our church is to Love the Lord, to Love the Saints, and to Love the Seekers. We at the New Hope Church are endeavoring to follow this statement. We have been encouraged by what is happening in our church. Attendance at morning worship has increased. We’ve modified the service to include Praise and Worship music. This has been well received. We held a summertime weekday Bible Camp for youth! This attracted many from the neighborhood. Our Friday morning Bible Study continues to be well attended. We’ve also added a Wednesday evening study group and a new adult fellowship to our schedule. We look forward to serving the Lord through this coming year. GREYSTONE – We praise God that He has blessed us through another year. New church members who have joined us over the past few years are becoming active on boards and committees and two young couples, one with a baby and one with a toddler, bring the children to church almost every week. We generally have enough children in the service to have a Sunday school class during the sermon. This year we seemed to have had a great deal of illness and bad weather which impacts our attendance but we enjoy our worship and prayer time together, and thank God for answered prayer. The ladies of our Mission Society continue to support missions at home and abroad. Our pastor has again delayed his retirement to pastor for one more year. NEW BEDFORD SOUTH – We have had a year to critique our local ministry and its effectiveness in our community. At our morning worship services, Pastor has been preaching on the eight essential qualities of a healthy church. The tool we have chosen for evangelism is the Alpha Course. This method might be a little different, but the message is the same. It was the concept of the class meeting in the beginning of Primitive Methodism that led to its great success. Alpha is much like the old class concept with an approach that is inviting to many. Please pray that we will win souls for Christ! LUZ Y ESPERANZA (Light and Hope) PAWTUCKET – We had many achievements this year, one being the incorporation of the “Family Life” program in our “Couple’s Club”. This is our second camping retreat for couples and our first with the whole family. We also had our difficulties having to pay a high medical insurance for our pastor, which was not projected in our budget. We praise the Lord for His grace and mercy upon us. But we also pray that He continues to supply us with His love and His protection. EVANGELICAL OF LAWRENCE – Our church is thankful to our Lord for His leadership during this year. Even though we lost about 25 members due to many families moving to other states or countries, the Lord has blessed us allowing us to gain 20 new members. Because of the work through evangelism, twenty-six people have accepted Christ as their savior. To God is the glory. Some of them are getting ready to be baptized. This year our congregation was also blessed with the hiring of a new music director, who has been of great help with the music ministry since we did not have one for a while. We thank our Lord for all His blessings. Glory to God! PROVIDENCE – Our church is grateful to God for the privilege He has given us to continue to preach the Good News of the Gospel. This year of restructuring our vision and ministry was a great blessing. We have been focusing on the real purpose of the church according to the Word of God. All of our ministries were revised and restructured according to the purpose. We have adopted a new name for our church – The Church of the Hispanic Community – in efforts to build a stronger relationship with the community. We also have been given the privilege to have a new youth pastor. Last year we had many outdoor crusades in key areas in the city, where 25 lives came to Christ. And a total of 15 lives came to Christ throughout the year. Return to Index at the Top of This Page SOUTHERN DISTRICT: NEW RIVER METHODIST – God is blessing our church. We have four small groups. Sunday school regularly offers 3 adult classes, sometimes 4. Two Sunday a.m. services. We commend Steve Coker for his selfless leadership in worship over the past 4 years – he has turned the position over to Neal Winter. Sally Getchell leads new children’s group, “The New River Singers & Players”. Pastor Wayne Getchell leads a great senior citizens ministry. Pastor Jerry Bolt led his youth to Panama Beach and a trip to Acquire the Fire last year. Missions giving reached $23,000. Eight in work-team to Guatemala. Attendance up to 148. CHRISTIAN BIBLE FELLOWSHIP – “Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD!” This year we have been blessed with the pastoral ministry of Rev. Steve Polk and his wife Penny, and now are blessed by Pastor Dave Sargent. We have seen three new members, one of which came to know the Lord! It is an awesome thing when people are willing to lay down traditions held for a leading of the Lord, and we are humbled that He desires a path for us that He is bringing to fruition even now! KATHLEEN EVANGELICAL CHAPEL – This has been a year of spiritual renewal. We adopted the name of Kathleen Community Church, and enjoy a cross-cultural fellowship that is joyful and fulfilling. We held a concert on the grounds of Anglo, Hispanic and African American singers. We prepared 5000 brochures to communicate our vision. We ended the year with a live Nativity. We established a counseling center under the direction of Dr. Byron George, and many have received training. Ten were baptized, and God has renewed our hope. Every Sunday we look forward to meeting new people and seeing lives changed. MARION OAKS (Ocala) – We thank God for his love, mercy and continuous support. We have dedicated our new building, and currently 20 – 30 attend our Spanish service, and about 20 attend our English Youth service at 6 p.m. We have many newcomers and are rebuilding our finances, and are paying our financial obligations on a regular basis. We are hoping to transport two portable buildings to be used for youth and children’s ministries.
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