Pastor’s Update 04.24.09

LaNelle Griffith

LaNelle Griffith went to be with the Lord this week. LaNelle was a very special part of our church. For many years she headed up all of our church meals and directed them. She sang in our choir for many years and made sure there were beautiful flowers around our church. Many of those flowers survive to this day. LaNelle loved her Lord and tried to serve Him in any way she could. Lanelle taught school for over 40 years and impacted the lives of hundreds of children. Many of her grade school students attend our church today. She had been married 67 years to her husband, Carl. They had a lasting relationship with her husband and they were inseparable even in her final days she was living with her husband in the same room at the nursing home. I loved to visit Sis. Griffith she was a wealth of knowledge and experience. Even to the very end she was reading and growing. She loved her family very much and longed to see all of them become followers of Jesus Christ. We will miss you Sis. Griffith.

WALKING TRAIL

We have established a walking trail on our new property. It is approximately ½ mile long and loops in front of the beautiful mountains across from our church. Feel free to come by and walk anytime, you can park at the church and walk the lot and the neighborhood around the church. We will be getting signs up soon and mark the entrance, just look for the mowed path through the land and enjoy. Here's a thought; why not pray for the future work of God that will be built there and ask God to provide the funds we need to finish the project. Please get the word out to our neighbors; we want to share God's blessings with them.

THIS AND THAT

• The church voted Sunday night to purchase a 25 passenger bus to use in our ministry
  
• We had a great Wednesday night class this week, great attendance and great spirit, why not get back in the Wednesday night groove?
  
• I will be preaching on the compassion of Christ in the second sermon in my Bethany series
  
• We found out after our last update that a lady had been saved at our local jail, thank God for our jail ministry that is reaching the lost
  
• Thank you for the generous Mission Team offering Sunday, over $1300.00 came in
  
• Every Sunday we have several first time visitors, please help us make our guests welcome, reach out and let them know they are welcome
  
• Jonathan Windle will be coming on staff in a few weeks please pray for him as he serves as a summer intern at Faith
  
• We had our planning meeting this week and we have some great services coming up at Faith, from drama to music to prophecy stay tuned!
  

  
  

  Hope to see you Sunday at Faith.
  

  We continue in our mission of Connecting people to God, others and service. Are you connected?
  

  Do you know Christ as your personal savior?
  

  Have you found a small group that fits?
  

  God has a place of service for every one of His children, what is yours?
  

A Life of Obedience

Jotham's strength was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (MSG)

I had a man in my church die a couple of days ago. His name was Frank Law. If you met Frank on the street there would be nothing in his appearance that would indicate he was special. But Frank was an ordinary man who lived a life of faith and obedience to his God. Frank touched many lives with his acts of kindness and generosity. He was like King Jotham. How much value is there to just showing up, just being there? In my opinion a lot, Frank was there for his family, his church and his friends.

• He often did mechanical work on vehicles for preachers, missionaries and churches at little or no cost
  
• He would arrive early on Sunday morning to unlock the church
  
• He would handout bulletins on Sunday morning and lessons on Sunday night
  
• He would line up ushers on Sunday night
  
• He made sure his pastor had a bottle of water every Sunday morning
  
• He greeted everyone with a warm smile and shared his laughter freely
  

  
  

I often would visit Frank at his garage and find an open Bible, you could tell it wasn't just a display; it was worn and dirty from much use by the hands of a mechanic. Frank is gone and his life of steady and determined obedience will continue to impact people. As a pastor I realize the church has lost a real jewel and I wonder who will take his place? How we need more Frank Laws. He was a man of strength because of his steady and determined life of obedience to God.

May his tribe increase!

Pastor’s Update 04.16.09

Bro. Frank Law went to be with the Lord yesterday. He will be missed. Frank ran a garage in our area for over 30 years and helped many people. He often helped pastors, missionaries and churches. I know because I was one of those people he helped. Every Sunday he would arrive early to unlock the church for Bro. John; he would then take his post in the McAllister Addition to give out bulletins. Frank would cut the church lawn every year. Every week he made sure his preacher had a bottle of water before he went into the pulpit. When I would go by Frank's service station I would often see an open Bible, he would try to read between customers. Frank was a godly man and he will be missed at Faith. This photo was taken last Sunday by Larry Woodward. Please pray for Amelia and Allen as they work through their grief.

Sis. Nancy Seabolt underwent surgery for cancer yesterday and she is doing well. Please pray for Ron and Nancy as they await the lab results in about a week. Pray the tests will reveal all the cancer was removed through the surgery.

EASTER 09

The Lord blessed Easter Sunday as we had almost 400 for our morning services. There was a great spirit in both of the services and we saw many new faces at Faith. Thanks to all of you who came to the early service to make room in the second service. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the music and every part of the service run so well.

• We have been able to pay 1/3 of the debt on our land
  
• I will be starting my new series, "Bethany" this Sunday
  
• The Mexico Mission Team offering is this Sunday
  
• Guest speaker Sunday night, Gideon Representive
  
• Business meeting following Sunday night service (Bus and Quarterly report)
  
• We had a lady become a follower of Christ this week (PTL)
  
• There were 22 preschoolers in the second service Sunday!
  
• Johnny Fox had surgery today on his shoulder
  
• Jonathan Windle will be coming on staff in a few weeks as an intern