A great year at FBC

Our Annual Meeting is on Thursday. Every year we pause and look at what God has done. 2009 was a wonderful year in the life of our church family. It was filled with great worship services, numerous mission opportunities and educational experiences. Here are a few of the highlights;

Mission trips to Mexico and Appalachia:
In February we took a team of 21 people to Mexicali, Mexico to work with our Missionary partners, Rick and Mercy Barnes. We split up into three teams and did some work at Primera Iglesia de Mexicali. We did some yard work there and helped pour the foundation for what will be their nursery. We also helped them install a new air conditioning unit. A second group went to El Buen Samaritano to work on installing sheet rock and sanding walls. A third group went to an outreach venue to paint the hosts host and do some electrical work. That group also split time doing some repairs in and around the seminary where we were staying.
Each night we hosted a vacation Bible school and gave support to the teachers and staff. It was interesting to see how they do outreach into their neighborhoods without fear of rejection. They were gracious and friendly and we were glad to be a part of it.
In July we went to West Virginia with a group called Mustard Seeds and Mountains. We worked on a gentleman's house. This group does ministry through hands on labor and quiet witness to the rural poor. We brought a group of eleven down and were joined by Michelle and Clayton Lord Sr. and their grandson, Christopher. The Lord, former members of our church, came over from their home in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. (They are also the pastor's parents.

In September we started up our Wednesday night services:
With an average attendance of 19 or 20, this worship experience has been firmly established as part of our weekly offering again. Led by the Praise team and the Pastor the service features a time of prayer and a short message. It has been very well received.

The Missional Church Emphasis goes year round:
We began with our Winter survival kit give away in January and then filtered in some kind of community outreach event nearly every month during 2009. Highlights include the July 4th hospitality event on our front lawn and the coat give away in October. We've also regularly continued to host the monthly interfaith luncheons on the third Sunday of each month at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The Fill Our Cup Sunday:
Special services happened all year but we kicked off our Stewardship Campaign by inviting everyone to come forward with their favorite cup to receive their communion elements. At the end of the campaign we asked everyone to come up again and put their pledge cards and their praise of thanksgiving cards in the wishing well. It offered two meaningful opportunities to express our faith.

Softball Team wins record number of games:
Our softball team matched its career win total this season and there was good feeling all around. We celebrated their success in worship this summer.

Despite Financial woes in the world around us, our people remained faithful:
Although pledges fell behind for a time, everyone caught up by the end of the year and we finished in the black. That was noteworthy because of the poor economic climate. Our people have continued to show their faith through giving and that has been a blessing to our ministry.

Weddings and more weddings:
Several prominent couples from families within our congregation were wed this year. They included Rod & Debra (Atkins) Allen, Carl & Melody (Johnson) Soderberg, Allison (Walberg) & Jason Beit, Al & Wendy Dart, George & Mary Ann (Canning) Rezendes, Ashley (West) & Daniel Moriarty, Stacia (Green) & Nicholas Grange, Jonathan & Katherine (Kirchner) Vanase.

These are just the highlights. for a full report, check out the annual report booklet at church.

Cal