December 4

Good morning. Since our last blog a couple of events have come and gone. First was our Thanksgiving celebration. Each year the church celebrates Thanksgiving the Sunday before the actual day. This year the Sunday was marked with two specials by our interpretive dance team as well as a guest speaker from the Dominican Republic. After the service we all enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, rice and pigeon peas, green salad an an assortment of desserts. Mary said we had a full house with every chair taken with one-hundred and twenty-four in attendance.

Sixteen ministries for 2015

Last Sunday, November 30, we presented our "ministries fair"; an annual event in our church. For years we have asked all believers to be involved in one and preferable two ministries of our church. It is a biblical principle founded on Ephesians 4:11-15 which speaks of the equipping of the Christians to serve. Last year we had 85%-90% participation in the program.

This year, as the photo depicts (take a shot at the Spanish), there are sixteen ministries in which anyone in the congregation can plug in. So far the response has been very positive. We are confident this year's participation will be successful as well after all the tallies are done.

As I told the people Sunday, most everyone is very busy and has little time to spare. And yet, with each doing a little throughout the year, much can be attained. As in years past, we are convinced God will do good things through his people in 2015 as we respond to His calling. And what is that? Ephesians 2:8-10 says we are saved by grace to do good works which He has planned for us to do. In other words, as many have said, we are saved to serve.

Christmas is right around the corner. The church calendar is marked with invited musicians playing traditional mountain music, a drama, a PowerPoint presentation of the year in review and then a troubadour kicking off the new year just before Three Kings Day in early January. We'll give you the details as they unfold.  Thanks for reading.