LAST NIGHT'S MEETING AND TODAY

Last night was a very successful business meeting. The reports were good and the "unity of spirit and effort" were great. Siste Rita Moore did excellent work in doing the minutes and the treasury report. The leaders gave good reports. The church is now down from $45,000.00 to $10,202.77 in paying off the new church property of 7.6 acres. We are thankful for the progress here and how the people are working together. We are thankful for the mission giving to Ugandi and Sudan of over $800.00. I apologize for earlier inadvertently listing Ethiopia as our harvest partner. The church also sent over $450.00 to the State Office to be sent to the relief effort in the gulf states for Hurricane Katrina. The dates and times of scheduled evening services were discussed. The motion was made and seconded to continue Sunday evening services as scheduled and after some discussion the motion was passed to have continued services on Sunday evening and to have one Wednesday evening Fellowship time and add-a-dish meal on the second Wedneday evening of each month. This is to be on a trial basis until the end of January 2006 and will be opened for discussion again. I will use these open Wednesday evenings for outreach and possible prayer services in new homes and/or nursing homes and jail meetings. The church felt it best to do this since outreach is very vital and attendance is substantially down on Wednesday evenings. Also heating fuel prices have skyrocketed and this will give some relief in that area. For those who want a Wednesday night meeting, it is strongly suggested and recommended that prayer meetings in homes be scheduled and considered or family prayer in each one's own home be implemented.

After the business meeting several stayed to cover the windows with plastic that Brother Leon provided from his shop. Brother Paul Rivera (Youth Director) and Sister Josie Rivera (Bulletin Secretary) came over last night after we finished with the church. We discussed some youth activities and plans. Karen had thrown some ribs in the oven to bar-b-cue and Paul and Josie stayed with us to enjoy eating with us. We had a good time of fellowship. Brother Paul has the youth at heart and loves them. We are praying for growth in our youth. Sister Josie has recently taken the bulletin responsibility with me as her assistant. Thanks to these two for their diligent volunteer work for the Lord and the church.

Today, Karen and I will be doing some work on the Christmas Candlelight Service for Sunday - getting readings, poems, candles and songs together. Others are also getting readings, poems, etc. together. Jason is supposed to sing, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Morning." The Candlelight Service will begin at 10:00 am (no Sunday School) and continue until completed. There will be congregational singing and songs on tape and CD interspersed with readings, poems, etc. We anticipate a great time of worship and celebration of our Savior's birth. A short message is planned and we certainly want the Holy Ghost to have his time and way.

Karen and I will be visiting some today and will also be shopping for gifts for the children and adults at the church. This is always a challenge for me each year as I do not like to give tradtional pastoral gifts like pens and/or planners with the church name on them. Anyway, it will be a gift of love from Sister Karen and I.

Until next time. . . .