A Glance at 2010
Can you believe it? As I begin to write this communication there are only two more days before 2010 moves into the pages of history. It seems like only a few months have passed since I sat down to reflect on 2009. Nevertheless, 2010 is almost over and it is time to take a look back at the events of this year.
I begin by saying I am truly humbled and filled with joy that I get to be called your pastor at First United Methodist Church (FUMC). One of my greatest joys of the past year has been to watch so many of you grow in your faith and commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As a church we have overcome many hurdles this year and God continues to bless us with the human and material resources needed to enable us to minister effectively in this community where He has placed us. Beginning on a high note our senior choir has started to show a new spirit for singing to the Lord and under the leadership of our new choir director I believe this is only the beginning. On the same thought, all of our choirs are growing and the music has risen to a new level.
Another highpoint of the year was the day Tom Lockwood introduced me to Earl “Cricket” Tipper. Cricket, is a youth magnet. Since he and his wife Paula have joined our congregation our youth activity as grown from almost none to a Wednesday night program of 12 -17 teens a night. This is only the beginning, God is on the move!
Early in the year our Mission House opened to house several AA/NA support groups and the response has been awesome. We made several improvements to the house but the exciting detail in this is most of the labor and cost was absorbed by the people using the house. These same people volunteered their time and labor to help complete the work on the new playground which had to be finished before we could open our new Faith Based Learning Center. Heartstrings Learning Center is now up and running, although we do not have as many children as we desired we hope to be at maximum capacity when we reopen in September of 2011.
Our clothes closet moved to its new location in the newly renovated garage of the Mission House and our Mission Team has done a great job getting it setup and organized for use. The Mission House cookbook was also a great success. If you have not obtained one you need to see the Mission House Lady (Terryl), (spelled correctly) to purchase one. Some of the recipes are simply delicious.
As we now prepare to wrap up another wonderful year here at FUMC, I want to communicate with you one additional piece of information that I feel is the most important accomplishment of the year. So far we have paid 99% of our apportionments. With that said I offer you one final year end opportunity to make an immeasurable difference over these next few weeks. As many of you know, every year FUMC depends on a very strong financial close at the end of the year. Not only does this enable us to end the year strong, but more importantly, it positions us to move forward with confidence as we prepare ourselves to take some huge steps of faith in the year ahead. With this in mind, I’m writing to invite you to carefully consider making a special year-end contribution above and beyond your regular giving between now and January 31, 2011.
I want to acknowledge that earlier this year our church family rallied together and gave sacrificially during the Mission House Campaign, the Preschool fundraiser and the Thanksgiving and Christmas drive to help needy families. The generosity shown during these campaigns is proof that miracles do happen. And yet, there is still much work to be done. Our year-end goal between now and January 31 is to raise $15,000 above and beyond our regular weekend giving. This will enable us to move into the year 2011 with all of our financial obligations up to date. So while still making a difference outside of FUMC, would you also consider being a part of helping us move strongly ahead into 2011? I am confident that if everyone prays, seeks God, does their part and gives as they’ve been blessed, we will without a doubt attain our goal! I am looking forward to a new and exciting year in ministry with you for Jesus.
Pastor Tom