April 12

Leonardo Alvarez, Dominican Pastor

Hi everyone. Let's review the last few weeks. Perhaps I should first mention the church's thirtieth anniversary celebration, It was a beautiful occasion. Every seat in the house was filled and we had to place chairs down the center aisle. Our speaker was a pastor from the Dominican Republic, brother Leonardo Alvarez. He did a fine job with the assigned text. Afterwards, we shared a dinner cooked by the church members. Surely this was one of the best anniversaries yet.

Bob Gurwell: GNPI

Two weeks later, on the heels of that event, was our International Mission's Day, the third consecutive year to host the event. Our speaker was Bob Gurwell, a dear friend, who, for many years, has worked with Good News Productions International. Bob is the director of Latin American operations. During the Sunday School hour he gave an overview of GNPI with special emphasis on Latin America. After the worship service we enjoyed dishes from different countries from Latin America. The head count was one-hundred and twelve...a good crowd.

Community Outreach ministry: Helping and praying

The same day of the Mission's emphasis we completed a fund-raising project among our members. Our goal was to give upwards of $500.00 for a mission's project the church will be involved in this summer in the Dominican Republic. With the help of a mission's team from KY we will be building a house for a very needy family in that country. Our church and individuals in the congregation have donated $1,950.00. Other individuals and churches such as the Presbyterian, Pentecostal and other Christian Churches have come together to supply, up to this point, $5,787.50, more than enough to build the house. The project is scheduled for the second full week in July. While there, Santos, who envisioned the project and is heading it up, as well as myself, will be preaching and teaching.

John and Santos taking a breather

On to other things; our community outreach and benevolence ministries have been busy. Benevolence visited a children's ward at a local hospital. Our church collected money to buy personal items for the children and their parents. And, a few of our ladies knitted beanies and footsies for the children as well. As for the Community Outreach team, yesterday, seven of the men brought their yard machines/tools and cleaned the yard of an elderly woman who has no family to watch out for her. The yard was put in order, and the toilet and the pipe to the septic tank were repaired so she could have a functioning bathroom. Plans are to paint the house inside and out in May.

Also in conjunction with a Boy Scouts of America Venturing crew, some of our members cooked and provided food for one-hundred economically disadvantaged in our town. This Venturing crew soon will be officially sponsored by the congregation.

BSA Venturing crew: with some church members

Coming up this week is a Good Friday service. This year our church drama team is producing a drama written by one of our church members. We expect a full house. Then next week is a family camp-out on the church grounds. .

Well I guess that catches you up on the high-lights. Thanks for taking time to read. Blessings to you.