THIS YEAR THE CONGREGATION IS REACHING TOWARD TWO CRITICAL GOALS.

First:  To remain the strong church we are two things need to happen.  The Traditional Worship and the Contemporary Worship each need to increase their worship attendance by 20 persons on the average.  This will be accomplished by each person inviting friends, neighbors, and relatives.  We do this, not just to preserve the church we love, but because we serve a risen Savior that has called us to go forth and make disciples of all people.
Second:  It is imperative that our financial giving, our stewardship giving increase by 15% this year. We have been on the same giving level for years and the reality is that inflation, though it has been kind to us in many ways, has not sat still.  The programs of the church are worthy and steadily growing.  We are a vital part of our community, the world, and Christ’s ministry. If we are to remain so, we must remain financially stable.  The increase means to us that, (for each dollar we give, please consider giving one dollar and fifteen cents). If that were to occur across the congregation, we would have no financial worry.  I realize that some of you can give no more than you are giving without taking food or medicine away from you.  To you we are not speaking.  But many have the ability and much more.  Prayerfully consider your situation. 

“Reaching Out In Christian Love” Is Our Vision.  I like this vision statement, because it is an outward focus.  We are nurtured in worship so we can be concerned for those beyond us.  Christ calls us to love our neighbor as our self.  Our concern is for others.  "When I was hungry you gave me food, when thirsty, you gave me drink.  When you did this to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it unto me."  Reaching out in Christian Love seems an appropriate vision for a church that speaks the good news to over 5,000 people weekly on television, serves over 200 people through the AA ministries, houses grief support groups, gives to domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, habitat for humanity, food lines, disaster relief, warm blankets, mittens, denominational ministries conducted throughout state, national, and world channels, and of course ministries within our own church --- to name only a few.  Let’s continue to live out the vision daily in our prayers and actions daily as we live and pray with Christ.