Church Remarks for the 2004 Yearbook of the Primitive Methodist Church

CHURCH REMARKS - 2004 YEARBOOK
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Wyoming Schuylkill	Pittsburgh Western	Eastern Southern
2004 CHURCH REMARKS WYOMING DISTRICT Human beings are so creative. Particularly when it comes to humor. We can see evidences of that creativity everywhere – even on the bumper stickers of our cars. Here are some bumper stickers I have seen: “Want a taste of religion? Bite your Minister”. And this one seen on the back of a biker’s jacket: “If you can read this, my wife fell off”. And this one I liked so much I made it the topic of this message: “Boldly going . . . nowhere.” Hey, that’s how we feel sometimes – boldly going . . . nowhere. Someone once said , “It’s important to learn the difference between motion and direction. Just because we’re on the go doesn’t mean we’re going anywhere worthwhile. What’s the difference between motion and direction? In a word, purpose. Motion is simply movement. Direction is motion harnessed to a purpose. Many in today’s world pursue the perks of life instead of the purpose of life. We boldly go somewhere – only to discover it wasn’t worth the trip. We all reach a point in life when we must evaluate what it is we’re living for. Most of us reach that place gradually. Some of us, on the other hand, reach that point of evaluating our life quite suddenly – due to a sudden crisis. Rather than a slow evolution – we find ourselves rudely awakened. I remember one of my professors saying, “You know, really, you ought to live everyday like you have only a few more days to live.” When you’re about to lose all the perks, you realize you should have spent more time on life’s purpose. The apostle Paul understood that. His life evaluation moment was so sudden and significant that he found it necessary to change his name just to express the difference in his life. Paul whose given name was Saul, had a very comfy position in life, until he met Jesus. Saul was from a prominent Jewish family, a member of the Pharisees – the Jewish ruling council. We can assume that Saul was well respected among the other Jews. He was sincere in his observance of Jewish laws and customs, keeping himself far from any impurity. And he was zealous in his persecution of this new sect called Christians. No doubts kept him up at night. He knew who he was, where he was going, and what he was all about. Until . . . he had an encounter with Jesus. As we read in Acts 9, Saul was on his way to persecute even more Christians when he was blinded by a bright light, and he heard the voice of Jesus calling to him. A few days later, healed of his blindness, he was brought to the home of a Christian man. As soon as Saul, now known as Paul, regained his sight, he was a changed man. He began telling everyone that Jesus is the Son of God. And this was the end of Paul’s comfy life. And because of his new-found faith in Jesus, the Jewish leaders – his old friends and colleagues and brothers in the faith – had turned against him trying to kill him. What about you? Are you still chasing “preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, popularity?” Are we striving after the perks in life? Or are you striving after its purpose.? There will come a time in every person’s life when we must evaluate our purpose in life. Are you here to grab all the gusto you can get? If you were to lose everything tomorrow – your job, your friends, your family, your security – would you have anything left? Many people down through history have lost everything for the sake of Christ, and they testify to the fact that He is worth it. Knowing Jesus – knowing his power and his promises and the hope of eternal life with Him – is the highest purpose in life. It is the possession that transcends all possessions. Our prayer is that you may discover the “surpassing greatness” of Christ in life today. Where will our motion – our direction -- our purpose be for the coming contractual year? The 2004 – 2005 theme for our District is “Boldly Going With Purpose”. PLYMOUTH FIRST – The Lord has seen fit to bless our church with another strong year of ministry within the community of Plymouth. Our Church attendance has increased for the third straight year. Our ministries to children and youth continue to be a highlight of our outreach efforts. New families are attending our worship services and visitors are welcomed nearly every week. Through the NCD survey, we learned that our greatest strength as a church is “Need Oriented Evangelism” and we plan to utilize that strength to bring the Lord glory for another year. PLYMOUTH FRANKLIN STREET - Our VBS was a success this year with parents and children attending. We had a fall fair for the community, which included a trolley bus ride. Our Sunday School started an Elective Class Program with perfect attendance. We had a Sunday School picnic at Knobel’s Park. We held our second annual Halloween outreach. We are praising the Lord. Because of outreach, children are faithfully attending church, Sunday School, Sunday Evenings, and Wednesday evenings. Our basement has been renovated and new carpet installed. Fellowship continues with Plymouth First. We participated in Samaritans Purse and continue to support missions. SCRANTON - We continue participation in Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Lackawanna County Prison Ministry. VBS ministered to children from 19 churches raising $544 support for Utatlan students. Youth Council continues active, sponsoring Secret Pal program enabling older members to pray for a youth, encourage them with monthly notes, cards, culminating with fellowship together in December. Members give generously to Restoration Loan but General Fund giving has declined. After excellent stewardship messages by Rev. Morris, we are praying giving will increase. We were privileged to be involved in Pastor Emeritus, H.K.Hatton’s 90^th Birthday celebration, a time of tributes, testimony and music. WILKES BARRE FIRST - In the 131^st Year of our existence, we pause to again thank the Lord for His continued faithfulness to our church and its people. This past year saw no big improvement in property repair but the property has been well maintained despite cost as much of the work has been accomplished by the parishioners volunteering. Winters have been difficult as illness cuts into our attendance. We rejoice being able to report an increase of two members. Our smallness has not dampened our resolve to continue staying on course for Worship, Fellowship, and personal growth in our lives and church life. WILKES BARRE EAST END - We share praises and thank the Lord for many blessings this year. Two Bible Studies held each Sunday Evening - a Youth Study by Pastor and an Adult Study by our Station Steward. Six adults and 9 Juniors received into membership. Sunday Worship Services are well attended with our new Praise Band taking part weekly. Youth Department Sunday School changed curriculum using “Fruits of the Spirit” divided into four segments using two each week. Three community outreach programs were held – Annual Easter Egg hunt, October Fall Festival and December Happy Birthday Jesus Party. Mission giving increased $3,000. 97 boxes Operation Christmas Child. WILKES BARRE LAUREL RUN – Greetings from the friendly church on the mountain. We enrolled in NCD finding our weakest area is gift oriented ministry. We studied spiritual gifts in the fall. Our Christmas program focused on each of our members demonstrating their spiritual gifts. We had a great VBS, sent 7 of our kids to PMBC, and have clubhouse monthly averaging 11kids. We had 7 kids participate in a poster contest on the theme of the PA State Sunday School Convention. Started a church newsletter and formed the Willing Workers to plan events for our 120^th Anniversary Celebration on October 2 and 3, 2004. WILKES BARRE PARSONS - We are pleased to report that we sent 115 shoeboxes to “Operation Christmas Child”. Our giving to missions increased by $2,000. We have three active youth groups. Our Youth participated in the 30 Hour Famine and were able to send almost $1,300 to World Vision for helping people who are starving. Scott McGrady will be attending Lancaster Bible College to prepare for ministry. Dave Berry is the pastor at Girardville. Rev. William & Thelma Fudge (retired) and Lillian Hughes (ministerial widow) are members. MESSIAH BEAR CREEK - Praises God for the opportunity to be a light that shines for Christ within the community. This past year has been a year of challenges and changes, however, the vision and focus of the ministry is unchanged as we reach out to the searching soul, strengthen the believer, and provide the opportunities for ministry to all. Praise God for the Spiritual growth of those desiring it and for the salvation of souls particularly the children who responded to an altar invitation. AVOCA - Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. Our church has had a new beginning. We are thankful for people who gave so we could install new carpet in the sanctuary and refurbish our organ. We report five new members under 25 years old and one junior member. Lots of changes have been made. We started a nursing home ministry visiting and worship with residents. Our choir has doubled, and we have a new vision team. Our Alpha Society has begun and increased. We are thankful God has sent as Pastor Tyler and Leslie, and has given us a special relationship. DICKSON CITY – Our God is faithful! It has been a good year of spiritual growth. Our “Jesus” video project and Bible distribution continue to be fruitful blessings. Our Sunday Morning Children’s Church program, our three Youth Groups and many special Youth Programs and activities held throughout the year remain active and healthy. Sunday Evening Service has been revised with using both Hymns and a Contemporary “Praise and Worship Team” – resulting in attendance quadrupling and necessitating need for an Evening Service Children’s Church Program, for first time in the history of our church. 21 souls have been saved. Praise His Holy Name. NANTICOKE - We praise God for another year of ministry in the town of Nanticoke. We have appreciated the 10 year pastoral ministry, leadership, and counsel of Rev. Kyle Gildner. This past year we have seen a rise in attendance in our Sunday Service as well as Sunday School and Bible Adventure Club. We held our 8^th Annual Live Nativity. We had 150 young people participate in our Trick or Treat Alternative Night. We saw an increase in the number of young people who attended VBS. We have seen more of the young people of our church participating in our church services. JERMYN - Greetings. Praise God for his many blessings over this past year. Our church has been truly blessed under the leadership of Rev. Rupert, we have not grown numerically but we have grown in grace and commitment. Rev. Rupert has brought in younger people who have become teachers and officers. Our choir has become much younger and we purchased new robes this year. Our choir has become involved in the community and has become recognized as a committed group of Christians. Children’s and adult Sunday School, missions, and VBS are among the vital ministries of our church. BLAKELY - As we as individuals have chosen to open our hearts to the leading of the Lord – as a body we have gleaned the benefits of His grace through His gifts of fellowship, prayer, and the application of the word of truth to our lives. In his goodness the Lord has allowed us to minister to those around us through outreach opportunities, our food pantry, and the blessing of encouraging the faith of our children. As the Lord has demonstrated so completely his faithfulness towards us, we prayerfully seek to be faithful to Him in the days to come. LAWRENCEVILLE - We were so grateful to the Lord and to the Avoca Church for allowing Rev. & Mrs. Parry to minister to our church. They have been so wonderful to us. They both are so kind and also so eager to help us in any way they can. Pastor Parry’s Biblical messages are so plain to understand. We love the way they greet us every week. We all shake hands with each other and they they make us feel so loved. We hope we will have them for as long as we can. God bless them both. TAYLOR – We praise God for Watching over our Church. This past year some ladies in our church started a Youth Sunday School, in which an outreach was offered to the neighborhood. Our Church continues to be financially and spiritually strong. We pray the God will bless our church in the coming year. HAZLETON – St. John’s Methodist Church will continue to trust in God’s Word for direction and obedient ministry. Without rejecting everything new and not accepting everything old we have been blessed in our worship with the use of meaningful hymns, that are sound in doctrine, yet both joyful and reverent, we have returned to the creeds of the church and seek dignified dress and conduct. Our worship is God centered not man centered. Our Mission giving has increased by more than $1,000. Our Youth present the Gospel everywhere the opportunity is given. We love the Lord from whom all blessings flow. JOHNSON CITY – Through a year of change, the Lord’s blessing were constant. Church wide study of “Purpose Driven Life” led to healing of many broken relationships. Church outreach efforts included an evening picnic style supper and a Christian Illusionist as well as a continuation of the Annual Water Distribution for Ackley Avenue Sales Day and some of our Gideon members distributed New Testaments at this event. Church wide road rally served as opportunity to join together for a day of fun and fellowship as well as to invite unchurch friends to join with us. Annual Mission Banquet and Missions Weekend were held. BROOKLYN – Giving thanks, honor and glory to our Almighty God for His help in our work performed during this past year. Our church has a steady attendance and a steady income. Unfortunately, we had some difficulties with our rented church facilities and recently we moved – provisionally to a new location. However, this new location has turned out to be too small for the number of members in our congregation. We have seen some families move to other states but at the same time, we have received new members. All in all, we thank God for His wonderful help during the past year. MOUNTAINTOP - This has truly been a year of blessing. January 2003 we were working to reach attendance of 20 now reaching 60 and looking ahead. Started Sunday School and Youth Group. Praying to move out of store front place into more suitable environment. Lord did better as on October 31 papers signed for church building. Moving day November 1, and next day welcomed 40 people for worship and a Dedication Service held on November 30^th. Christmas Celebration was real joy. Thanks to all who have prayed for us during this year. Continue to pray for our outreach into the community for Christ. Return to Index at the Top of This Page SCHUYLKILL DISTRICT: TAMAQUA – What a challenging year! We have ministered to material & spiritual needs of some in our commuinity. A new family with children has been coming. Pastor delivered a challenging message to the high school graduating class. We shared the Gospel through comunity Lenten and Good Friday services. Our Christian Education board has refined our educational work, prioritizing needs of our children, nursery and junior church programs. Our women’s Bible study group has grown in studying the Work, learning to prepare and lead lessons, recently discovering their spiritual gifts. Praise God, one person received Christ during a service and will join the church. SAINT CLAIR – God has surely placed His hand on us through our new pastor. We have sent over 400 cards of encouragement to members, friends, those going through difficult times and those who have helped us. During testimony time we shared how the cards brough hope, and an opportunity to share God’s love. This brought a ‘family’ feeling to the church. We became more interested in the well-being of our home bound. We are improving our parsonage and church building. Attendance is good with visitors. We hosted Lenten services and the community Thanksgiving service. Missionaries have spoken at Bible studies. Game nights, Sunday school picnic and church dinners have offered more opportunities for outreach. We have organized a committee to work with the pastor to encourage and help grow the St. Clair PM Church. GIRARDVILLE – New Life Community Fellowship Church of Girardville, PA is alive and well, fully recovered and on fire for the LORD! We move forward in God’s vision for us in the community by fervent prayer, the sharing of Christ’s love and the truth of the Gospel with all who will receive. During the months of January-December 2003 God continued and continues today to increase us through Sunday school, Evening Prayer & Praise, Cantatas (Easter, Labor Day & Christmas), VBS, Youth Group, Missions giving and church attendance, all to His Glory. Praise God! A praying church is a staying church. MAHANOY CITY – We greet you in the name of the Lord! Although we are small in number, our faith is still strong. We meet faithfully for worship and are inspired by God’s Word. We love our pastor and his wife because they have served us with love in return. We need your prayers because the Senior Citizen’s Center that rents the lower level, will soon be moving into their new building. This will greatly affect our finances. Please pray for us. SHENANDOAH – We at Bethel PM Church meet faithfully each Sunday for worship. The Roberts family purchased beautiful tapestries for above the altar. The Ladies Aid Society meets each month. We have taken part in the community Lenten Services. Roof repairs have been made to both the church building and the parsonage. Work was also done outside to repair the front and side walls of the church. Pastor Ron & Sandy have served us with love and understanding and are entering their 10^th year. MOUNT CARMEL – We continue to have a wonderful relationship with our sister church in Shamokin. God has blessed us with a new pastor and wife that fit in comfortably with our area. Our desire is to love our God. Our goal can be found in Jude 1:20-22, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference.” We look forward to a new year of service for Christ. SHAMOKIN – Romans 8:28 has been proven to us in a magnificent way. Pastor Nichols anounced his resignation from our Church and Conference and within a matter of weeks God provided us with a pastor and wife who are happy to serve our Church and Community. Another Halloween outreach was held and proved to be successful. Our nursery and Jr. Church continue to be active and a blessing. Once again our church has worked with the community in the Manna for the Many program which gives food to the needy. We at 7^th Street are ambitious to be well-pleasing to Him. WEST CONSHOHOCKEN – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the Shadow of theAlmighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1&2. We have had a difficult year with many personal heartaches.We praise God for our congregation’s unity and suport of our pastor and his family. We had Ray and Vivian Baldwin come and do the Natural Church Development Survey at the Church. We continue to have a Youth group on Monday nights for Jr. High and Sr. High. We are running a Book Study on Sunday night of the Purpose Driven Life. We continue to teach salvation through faith and have seen people come to know the Lord this past year. MAYFAIR PHILADELPHIA FIRST – God continues to bless us at Mayfair. Our Couples Club has become more active. VBS was successful with a visit to a local farm. Our community outreach was a Flea Market in our yard. We served hot chocolate and lemonade and gave out New Testaments at the Thanksgiving Parade in front of our church. We served a Christmas dessert to the AA meeting in our basement. Our missions program helps suport 4 missionaries, 4 students and PMBC. We participated in the district Hayride and sponsored 2 skating parties with several of our PM churches. Our attendance has been stable and we are looking for more growth this coming year. HATBORO COMMUNITY – “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; Make known among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 105:1 We continue to praise God for His goodness and for the opportunity to serve Him. Our outreach ministries included a dinner/concert for 50 men from Whosoever Homeless mission with yearly support, adopting families through the Life Abundant Prison ministry, outdoor concerts, coffee house ministry, Christmas and Thanksgiving meals for the needy, gifts for the teachers of our local schools, community Bible studies, and children’s ministries, along with our Pre-school and VBS programs. We have seen 5 adults accept the Lord and many visitors attending our chuch. We thank God for the spiritual growth and unity of the church family. We look forward to working with the United Front Ministries as we seek to become a stronger healthy church for our Lord. LANGHORNE – “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” Zech. 4:6. God is at work in Langhorne! Trinity’s mission statement is: PMC², to Produce Mature Christians who Produce More Christians. Our Sunday school has an increase of 29 members and now has several outreaches a year. Our other programs include: Sunday Night Youth Programs, Kid’s Choir, Monthly Breakfasts, COWS, and Ladies’ Retreat. Community outreach includes: Blood Drives, Choir Top Ten, Corn Roast, Super Bowl Bash, Fall Festival, Youth Christmas Play, Easter Egg Hunt, and DVBS. Trinity’s pianist, Jean Hinton, went to be with the Lord. ALLENTOWN – Psalm 119:67&68 have become significant verses for Christ Methodist Church this year. On April 9 pastor McKenzie was diagnosed with non-hodgkins Lymphoma. When the Psalmist says that “is was good to be afflicted” he was expressing a concept that is difficult to understand. As the pastor and congregation worked through the implications of this disease the turth of these words became more certain, and God’s goodness became more understandable. We rejoice in the successful completion of the chemo treatments in August and God’s assurance in His word that “He will never leave us or forsake us.” We held a successful community garage sale in September at which we were able to share the ministry of the church with the community. LIONVILLE – Jesus said that he came to give us life to the full. That is the message of Lionville Community Church. All that we do is designed to help disciples enter and live the Better Life based on our relationship to Jesus Christ, his church and our neighborhood. During the past year we continued to improve our worship ministry. We have increased slightly in membership and attendance. Our children’s ministry is strong and our teen ministry is growing. Small groups began meeting in homes and at church. We completed the Purpose Driven Life. We have provided training for our church leaders and will continue to do so. Our church is a gathering place for many groups including Boy Scouts, Brownies, MOMS Clubs, Moms in Touch as well as other various community activities. Our benevolent ministry helps people throughout the year and at Thanksgiving and Christmas we helped over 100 families through Operation Christmas Child as well as our own gift and food distribution. We also hosted grief and divorce support groups. NEWTOWN – The members of Newtown Community Church express our thanks to God for His grace and provision.This past year has been full of reasons to know that God is in control, and He has plans for us, which we do not know. In the past year our congregation has sensed a new beginning We have seen our regular Sunday morning attendance blossom, with a Christmas service with over 150 in attendance. God has added several new members and four have made a public profession of faith through baptism. More importantly we have been blessed with a new excitement about what He has made possible for us. A new Sunday evening service has been added, a twice monthly Ladies craft and studyt night has seen fruit, as well as a weekly men’s study. We are praying towards a church family retreat to be held in October of 2004, and pray for God’s guidance as we seek to become a more effective tool for Him in our neighborhoods. Our last year’s remarks began with, “For I know the plans I have for you.” God still knows His plans for our congregation, and we look forward to following Him step by step. Return to Index at the Top of This Page PITTSBURGH DISTRICT: God has been very good to us this past year. Eighty two souls have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. I definitely believe this will help our district to improve and grow. Programs and name changing has not done it, but the salvation of souls has. I whole-heartedly believe in Psalms 127:1, “Unless, or except the Lord build the house, we labor in vain to build it.” We need to get our eyes open to the needs of the lost. The Apostle Paul had his eyesight restored, and immediately went about seeking the lost. Isaiah had a live coal placed on his lips and sin was removed, and when asked “who will go for Me?” he said, “Here I am, send me.” It was said that revival in and around Mow Cop was due to a spontaneous outburst of Evangelism. We need to hear it! “Go into all the world.” We need to leave the shore line and go where people are. We got to go out where they are! It was said of Paul and Barnabas, “they turned the world upside down.” We need to turn the world right side up for God. We’ve got the message, and that message is to “Go,” not say, “here’s the church, come on in.” The old song that we sang, yes, yesterday, remember, “Bring them in.” That song is just as much up to date as it was then. If it could happen then, I believe it can happen today. A good brother, Rev. Joseph Chomas, went home to be with his Lord. When a layman, we as a district asked him to minister at several churches. He graciously accepted, and is now honored for his fine ministry. Home at last. We’re thankful for the retired ministers and wives in the District: Rev. & Mrs. Clarence Allwine, Rev. & Mrs. Loren Anderson, Rev. & Mrs. Robert Balsinger, Mrs. Violet Hildebrand, Rev. & Mrs. Tom Watkins, Rev. & Mrs. Merle Wilson, and Rev. & Mrs. Bernard Murphy. WESTMORELAND CITY – We continue to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and in the beauty of holiness. The plaque in front of our sanctuary reads, “Jesus Never Fails.” So many times we have found this to be true. Sadly, four of our faithful members were taken from us in death in 2003, and since the first of the year we lost two more. Joyfully, however we recently received six new adult and two new Junior Members. We will present a Bible to each one who joined the church on Easter. We whole-heartedly believe in Philippians 1:21 – what happened to us is the furtherance of the gospel, and drawing us closer to God as we see the day approaching. PITTSBURGH FIRST – We praise the Lord for His gracious and merciful healing and many opportunities to encourage and witness in the hospital. We continue to reach out into the community with regular events such as VBS with 40-45 children, a monthly Kid’s Having Fun program, and a sidewalk party for the community with games and fellowship. A community Thanksgiving Dinner was cooked and served to members and community neighbors. The biggest event was the second Open Mic/Hop Show, Our Of Your Element. At one point 150 young people were in attendance. The community outreach program has increased our Sunday school attendance. PITTSBURGH SECOND – We praise God for continued blessings. New families are attending services, and we have experienced the power of prayer and God’s love. Much sickness hit our congregation, but praise God some are back worshipping with us again. Our shut-in card ministry continues as does our weekly Bible Study/Prayer Meeting. The Ladies’ organization continues to work on mission projects and donations are given to Salvation Army, Beulah Baptist Church food bank and Operation Christmas Child. SWISSHELM PARK – We are grateful that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! We have seen His faithfulness at Swisshelm Park over the past year. We enjoyed another tremendous VBS, and our annual Fall FunFair continues to draw neighborhood response and interest. Our weekly youth and children’s meetings are faithfully attended, as well as our mid-week prayer and Bible study and once a month mission project nights. We are seeing young people take on leadership roles in ministry. We took in five new adult members and have begun a Junior Membership Class. MERRITT – The year 2003 will be remembered as the year which 25 lost souls were reached for Christ. Our youth group and children’s ministries continue to grow. We formed a vision team which has brought new ministries including a woman’s group, visitation team, welcoming team and ministry team. Our growth in membership continues for the third straight year. Many repairs to the church and parsonage were made.The Holy Spirit is moving with the church, lives and hearts are being changed, Praise God! VICTORY – Victory continues to help provide programs to local personal care homes. Mission work was a strong emphasis with the following special programs: Christmas in July, Baby Shower for a local Crisis Center, Operation Shoe Box, Christmas Blessings, Harvest Home, White Gift. After a year of guest speakers, we were able to secure a District Supply. He is now living in the parsonage. New appliances were purchased and some work was done in readiness for the pastor to move in. God continues to bless the faithful. Isaiah 40:31. SUTERSVILLE – Romans 12:10, 13 – “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” We installed a new kitchen in the church. A new refrigerator and a coffee pot was purchased from the Nancy Barbera Memorial Fund. We participated in the Sutersville 100 year celebration by having an Indian artifact display, and passed out bottles of water and bookmarks. The Sunday School sent three youths to PMBC, and two attended a fall retreat. The parsonage was remodeled, and the church invited the community for our annual church picnic. GRATZTOWN – Our heads are spinning with all the wonderful things the Lord has provided for us. Attendance has grown and in January 2004 new members will join us. We had a picnic at the Jam for Jesus park, which was well attended. We had the opportunity to join other Christians from many areas. In September we held a Singspiration, where we had around ten groups and performers grace our church, plus food and fellowship. We raised $600 for our Missionary Fund. Thansgiving Sunday we were graced with 11 baptisms, young and old alike. GLENWOOD – Highlighting 2003 was a visit by Evangelist David Ring. “I have cerebral palsy, what’s your problem?” God challenged us to step out of our comfort zones and introduce others to Jesus. We had 35 conversions/rededications! Our youth partnered with other local youth programs to host a monthly youth service. Our elders ministered with our friends at Beaver Falls, filling the pulpit. God gave us an opportunity to bless Bob and Sue with a sabbatical so they can tend to health needs and receive a refreshing from God. We ask for God’s richest blessings as they go forward in 2004. CARNEGIE – We praise the Lord for His continues blessings to the faithful. For a small congregation we have a dedicated choir who shares the Gospel with the church, the neighborhood through caroling, and local nursing homes. One of our young people has recently joined the choir. Our Prayer Chain was utilized extensively by members and non-menbers alike and we’ve received many answers to prayer. Our outreach projects continue to be supported by generous gifts from our congregation and friends. As we continue to serve we give all of the Praise to our Lord. HOUTZDALE – New Hope Christian Fellowship – 2003 has been a year of refocusing. The first half of the year was dedicating to formulating and communicating our vision statement, and the last half to making changes to see that vision start to become a reality. Three Cell Groups were started with over 20 members participating. Family night was established allowing the whole family to come together for worship, fellowship and discipleship. We concluded the year with a unanimous vote to change our name to New Hope Christian Fellowship. In the midst of it all we give Him praise for 11 conversions, 2 believers’ baptisms and a very successful VBS. STRONGSVILLE – Faith Community – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This past year has found us in a season of transition and change. We praise God that the foundation of the Good News is change: “The whole Gospel Message is centered on change (L.A.Solomon)” We have maintained our minsitry during this time. We look forward to new leadership and God’s continuing guidance as we move forward. BEAVER FALLS – “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). The last few months that we have been without a pastor have proven to be a new experience. God has been good by supplying us with great guest speakers. God has had a way of sending just the right message at the right time. The congregation has come together to fulfill all the needs of the church. We have been there for each other and God has been faithful with us. STREETSBORO – Frost Road Chapel – God has been so faithful to us here. 2003 was a year of ups and downs – mostly ups. Through youth events, Pioneer Clubs, VBS, Women’s Ministries, Men’s Prayer Breakfasts, Sunday evening Prayer Meeting, Adult Bible Study and Red Hat Society events we have been able to share our faith with the community. Our Easter and Christmas services, with musicals, filled the sanctuary. New families are attending and we recently received new members. We look forward not back, and set our hands to the plough, ready to sow those seeds of salvation. Praise the Lord! GLEN RICHEY – There are 27 teens attending our youth group. Our church average is 45. We’re blessed with 9 new members and 2 Junior Members, and 2 baptisms. The Ladies’ Aid is active with missionary projects. Continue annual Christmas card and Calendar delivery. We help the cummunity in November when we have a Harvest Home program. We continue to grow in the Lord. Return to Index at the Top of This Page WESTERN DISTRICT: ALBION PRAIRIE/BUSSEYVILLE CIRCUIT – God has blessed the work of both churches and we offer our thanks and praise to Him. At Easter both churches worshipped together followed by a fellowship breakfast. The past summer both churches were involved in a community marathon Bible reading held in Edgerton’s Central Park. During November, both churches set a goal of raising $2,000 for Missionary Diane Duntze, and met that goal. On Christmas Eve both churches joined together for a Candlelight service. BOONE – We at Boone report that we are doing well and that we had a good year. The people are pleased with the ministry of Rev. Eugene Martin and request he be stationed here for another year. FRASER – Although our church is not active, the doors remain open to visitors, weddings, etc. LEADMINE – We are a small congregation but a fruitful one. We have recently lost two of our members through death, and they will be missed. We have built a ramp for ease in entering our sanctuary. During remodeling we found a flag that dates from about WWI, where 27 stars remiind us of those from our congregation who have served in the armed forces of our country. The flag is now framed and is displayed in our sanctuary. NEW DIGGINGS – This past year has been special for the New Diggings church. We have seen many inactive members return. We had a fall festival to help spread the word and invite people to come and make New Diggings their home church. The congregation has been growing not only closer to each other but also to the Lord. I believe in the concept of 1 Corinthians 15:58 – our work in the Lord is never in vain. The Lord promises to bless us as we remain faithful to Him. PLEASANT VIEW – Mid 2003 marked the advent of a new pastor, Mark Musser. Prior to his coming we had completed a commitment to help restart the New Diggings PM Church, and participate in the start of the Darlington Hispanic Church. Rev. Musser’s first business was VBS where 30 attended and 7 decisions for Christ were made. Our worship services are enhanced with the purchase of new hymnals and the gift of a new sound system. The Children’s Sunday School was expanded to include Children’s Church. A monthly family game night and a women’s fellowship were begun. We are being challenged spiritually with teaching on purposeful Christian living, including equiping and training sessions on evangelism. Pastor Musser is also involved in the community with visitaion. Our mission outreach has been maintained and we expect new projects for the future. STANDART – The Lord is ever present with us in our daily lives. He has brought some more visitors to our church during the past year. We are allowed to continue support for our missionaries in the field and have been rewarded with visits from some of them. We are praying that the Lord will lead more people to our church and guide us in the path He has selected for each of us. May we all walk closer to the Lord in every breath we take. WESTVIEW – We have been blessed and challenged through the ministry of Pastor Paul Glendenning. Attendance has remained the same. Ladies Aide continues and is busy making items for missions. Mission giving is strong. Christmas Eve program is a highlight of the year with a packed church. Our Fall Fellowship supper is an effort to reach the community. We do many things with our circuit church; Bible Study, Sunday Evening Services, Bible School, Cantatas, and a new Ladies’ Bible Study by Bobbie Glendenning. Some of our members are involved in community ministry of the local Thrift Shop, Meals-at-Home and Oasis concerts. STREATOR – The year brought the homegoing of four of our members. During the past year we continued to experience growth in the areas of spiritual and family togetherness. Ministry continues to grow through VBS and Kids Club, where the Lord has raised workers. Events such as our local outreach program, Sunday Night Bible Study, and community oriented events have served to open our doors even wider. We continue to seek God’s guidance and grace within our church and community, praying God’s Spirit continues to move in our lives. Return to Index at the Top of This Page EASTERN DISTRICT: MATTHEWS – Once again we at Matthews Memorial have been blessed with another fruitful year for the Lord. In ths past year we have continued to experience steady spiritual growth shown by an increase in worship attendance and with the addition of 6 new members – 2 by profession of faith and the others by transfer to our rolls. We have started an outreach on the first Sunday of the month to an assisted living complex that has been well received with an average attendance of 25 or more. We had a successful VBS this past summer, with large collection of footwear for poor children of the world. We took part in Salvation Army’s Christmas gift program. Our church will be celebrating 125 years of service to our Lord in 2004. Two members, Harold & Ella Noble, went home to be with the Lord this year. TIVERTON – Praise God for his wonderful blessings. We are grateful for pastor Wayne’s leadership, vision and guidance. Attendance and finances are increased and the spiritual ministry of our members flourishes. Lay leaders are being discipled by our pastor and a new spirit of praise is seen in our Sunday morning and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening services. Our praise instrumental team cooperates with two homeless shelters, and we have started a food pantry. We had VBS this past summer and an annual tent revival. We are praying for direction for our children’s church and monthly dinners for the communities. We have been blessed through the Word of God. LAWRENCE STREET – Our outreach efforts for 2003 include: Sunday Evening Praise Time, Weekly youth activities for Kids, Jr. Hi & Sr. Hi, teen retreats, weekly Literacy Center, Senior Dinner, parenting class, Angel Tree, VBS, Missionary Society Food & Craft Fair for missionaries, and Sunday school-sponsored homeless clothing drive. We report 3 conversions this year. Our emphasis this year has been spiritual growth and being doers, not just hearers. CUMBERLAND – God is on a Mission! His mission is that he would be glorified and that the knowledge of his glory will cover the earth as the waters do the sea. The activity of our church is to go on mission with Him. In order to help fulfill that mission our activities and events of the past year have included: a solid Bible-oriented preaching ministry designed to be applied to today’s life situations; a developing Sunday school program with materials appropriate for both children and adults; a Junior Church program that coincides with the morning Worship Hour; a bi-monthly Youth Group; a mid-week morning Bible study looking specifically at the principles stated in “Purpose-Driven Life”; a Christian In Action ministry designed to help those of our congregation who are experiencing life’s difficulties and hardships; a mission program that has involved the entire church; a Ladies’ Craft Night; an active Pastoral Relations Committee meeting semi-monthly to work on shut-in and member visitation and undershepherding the congregation. We have seen new people enter into the life of our church- many of them becoming members. We are continually looking for different ways of making ourselves known in the community and are constantly evaluating our ministries in order to make us more effective. Our pastor, Rev. Fred Jeffrey, has been invited back to serve as pastor for his 24th year. NEW HOPE – We thank the Lord for His blessings this past year. We continue to seek ways to serve Him. In September we held an outreach program called “Family Festival.” This was an outdoor event which shared the Gospel through the four Christian musical groups who performed. Free food and games were available to all. We’ve also started an after-church program called “Serendipity” in an attempt to reach more people with the Gospel message. This is a two hour service which involves praise music, special activities and Bible lessons, and it is well-received. Our Friday morning and Wednesday evening Bible studies continue to be well supported. Our Women’s Guild continues to support the church through their various activities. It is our prayer that God will continue to work through us in the year to come. GREYSTONE – Greystone continues to be grateful for all our Father’s blessings great & small, Christ indwelling in our hearts, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Some of our members, faithful for years, are no longer able to come to church as they once did, and some have been called to rest. We cannot seem to replace them as fast as we lose them, but almost every Sunday someone visits our church service and we share our faith with them. We have learned through experience to trust that the Lord will bring them back to our church service and he often has. We continue to share food with those in need and we have volunteers who visit the nursing home. We continue to pray for you, your church, your pastor and your ministry, as well as our shared missionary concerns. NEW BEDFORD SOUTH – A long, cold winter and increased expenses lead us to accept Rev. Smith’s desire to be released from his contract to go to another congregation, but the Lord has blessed us by forcing us to reach out to each other and into our community to find supply pastors and speakers to fill our pulpit. We look to the Word to find that if we are faithful He will show us how to keep our doors open to spread that Word and faith into our second century, if it is His will. LUZ Y ESPERANZA (Light and Hope) PAWTUCKET – I thank God for the year 2003 even though various church leaders relocated to other places. God blessed us with new members! Here are some updates: through our weekly cell meetings and other evangelical outreaches we had a total of 35 conversions – we praise the Lord for this; of these conversions, 13 were baptized and another 13 are preparing to be baptized; our youth group has grown from 10 to 30; the women’s group attended 2 conferences – “The Joy of Serving” with a guest speaker from Guatemala, and the “Women of Faith” conference; we also took a course entitled “Youth Leadership” which was given by a team member from Luis Palau’s church; we have a couples club with 18 active couples mentored by Luis & Josefina Estevez; our Sunday school is growing; we have 9 brothers enrolled in a theology course; we surpassed our budget goal; we are gorwing in our worship area – we accommodate 125 people are we are at full capacity (a problem which we welcome). EVANGELICAL OF LAWRENCE – During 2003 our church has been greatly blessed with gaining 10 new members, to take the place of the 8 we lost due to moving out of state. Our church maintains an exercise program that is free to the community, Mondays & Wednesdays every week, which currently has 46 people. We initiated a food bank for the needy. We began a program called “The Clinic” that allowed us to give medical consultation, donated clothing and free food. The poeple also received the Word of God. 3 people gave their lives to Christ that day. This year through the work of the church 24 people testify their faith. To God be the glory! PROVIDENCE – We continue to restructure our ministries. We have 11 cell groups, each with a leader who receives training weekly. The groups are organized by area of interest. We have a vision of multiplying ourselves – the goal of each group is to win lives, consolidate, disciple and send. We have held several retreats of training and an inner healing which have been a great success. 25 new lives have accepted Christ and we have received various new families. We are also cooperating with the work in New Bedford, with our brother Juan Luis Garcia, which has been a great success. Return to Index at the Top of This Page SOUTHERN DISTRICT: NEW RIVER METHODIST CHRISTIAN BIBLE FELLOWSHIP KATHLEEN EVANGELICAL CHAPEL OCALA ORLANDO
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