It is a great privilege to serve as your pastor and I am anxiously looking forward to our ministries, new and old, moving into high gear in just a few weeks. I am trying my best to keep you informed on changes and opportunities through a variety of mediums. With that goal in mind, here are some things you will probably want to know.

 

'By the Numbers'

 

Attendance:

July 2011 Avg.   382             July 2010 Avg. 363

 

Giving:

                                                          Year-to-date 2011                      2010 Comparable YTD

                  Receipts                          $556,811                                    $541,128

                  Budgeted Need               $611,188                                    $659,737

                  Above (below) need        ($54,377)                                   ($118,609)

 

We have lost a little ground against our budgeted need from June to July, but we are in a much better position near the end of summer than we were last year at this time.

 

New Sunday Service Times

 

                  9:15 AM                   Contemporary "Encounter" Service (in the sanctuary)

 

                  10:30 AM                 Fellowship Time (in the Fine Center)

 

                  11:00 AM                 Traditional Service (in the sanctuary)

 

Pastor Jannie Box is back!

 

I am pleased to announce that, as of September 1, Pastor Jannie will be serving on staff in a part-time yet vitality important position as the Pastor of Visitation and Senior Adult Ministries. Many of you already know Jannie and the great ministry she provided our church family as a staff member before going to seminary full time last year. Her study load is lessening and she is able to once again step in and provide excellent leadership to these vital ministries particularly focused on our senior adults.

 

Preaching Schedule

 

I want to thank those who have helped me cover the preaching load this summer. I am deeply grateful to David Hicks, Celeste Cranston, Matt Whitehead and Matt Thomas for sharing their gifts of preaching with us this summer. I have put the hours that I normally commit to sermon preparation into long term and strategic planning for our church ministries. I believe these have been hours well invested and will bear fruit in the months and years to come. I look forward to being back in the pulpit regularly as of this Sunday.

 

The 'Ask'

 

Each month I expect to conclude my correspondence with a very practical request of you. This month I am asking you to join me in a renewed emphasis at First Free on prayer. Many new ministry emphases are planned and soon to be implemented. The leadership at FFMC has sought God's will and guidance in these plans and I believe He has faithfully directed us. We are in need of His empowerment and continued guidance as we now implement these plans. Therefore, I am encouraging you to join me in a season of focused prayer and fasting from now until the end of September. There will be a week-by-week prayer guide available at this Sunday's service and shortly on the website (www.ffmc.org).

 

 

Grace and Truth,

 

 

Lead Pastor