Recognizing the faithful.

On Sunday morning we dedicated our officers for the coming year in morning worship. We had them stand and be recognized. Then we prayed over them. At that point we took a few minutes to recognize seven people who had given over a decade of service to the church. you know them because you see them every week. Their service is varied but without them and others like them, we would not have been able to do all that we have done over the last twenty years or more.

Cynthia Strouse has given a lifetime of service to her church. As a young lady she helped with the Junior Choir. After college she married and moved back to town. She started singing in the choir again and got involved with the Women's Guild. She also taught Sunday School and helped in the nursery. She joined the choir and got on the music committee. Later on she began helping with tag sales, dinners and other fundraisers. She began playing piano for the Sunday School. She was always at clean up days and painting parties. In the last few years she got really involved in the landscaping projects, the interfaith luncheons and with the Missional Church team. After over forty five years of service, she is still finding new ways to make a difference and we have been blessed over and over again.

Dick Strouse is no stranger to the church. He's been helping out since he was five. He was in the church kitchen with his mother as she was cooking lunches for the masses. As a young man he got involved as an usher and also began helping out at work parties and clean up days. He came on Board the Executive Council and then became a Trustee. He's served as chair for over twenty years and had oversight on every major and minor project done at the church for the last twenty three years. Beginning with the roofing project in 1987, the back entry way in 1994, the Sanctuary renovation in 1995, the Anniversary addition and organ loft project in 1999 and the new window and floor projects in the sanctuary in the mid 2000's. He's painted pumpkins and trimmed hedges, painted walls and counted offerings. He also served as the Church Collector for many, many years in the days before we had the computer and everything had to be done long hand. His recognition was a no-brainer and long overdue.

Oliver Bray started slowly by simply becoming an usher but before long he was called on to take over for Bob Buchowiecki. He organized the crew and set up a schedule. As people like bob and Paul Lorraine could no longer take part in setting up for worship, the role of his committee was expanded. It became more organized. Oliver also got involved in the Sunday School and on the diaconate where he ended up taking leadership roles in both areas. He served as Property Committee Chair and did a lot of work around the church. He helped out at tag sales and other fund raisers. Whenever we needed something done, Oliver volunteered to make sure it happened. He was a regular in the kitchen for early morning breakfasts, turkey dinners at Mother-Daughter Banquets, and Sunday lunches for the hungry at St. Marks. He joined the choir and continues today as treasurer of both the Sunday School and the Deacons. Since he joined the church he has never stopped giving.

Fred Green has been a leader on and off the field in our sports ministry programs. He has been cheerleader, chaplain, and organizer for all three sports and an organizer for two golf tournaments to raise money for designated causes. He has has worked with our teens and seved as chaperon on a number of trips. He has been involved with the choir and as a co-leader of the praise team for many years now. Whenever we needed something special to do with music, Fred picked up the baton and ran with it. Whether it was organizing an outdoor concert or planning an open mic, he was there with his team to make it happen. Fred has cooked dinner for our ladies at Mother - Daughter Banquets and served a few meals as well. He has also wielded a paint brush and a rake on a number of occasions. When I need help for prayer or worship, Fred is one of the first people I call on.

Gwyn Green has been at the forefront of our music ministry with the praise team. When we looked for a leader, she took on the role and helped get the group together. She continues to work with Fred and Steve to organize events and organize the music they will play on Sundays and at special events. Gwyn also organized a few Mother- Daughter Banquets as well as several of the most successful projects coming out of the work of the Deacons. She organized our first casserole brigade and our college care packages. She served faithfully as the first woman chair of the group and she raised the bar for the people who followed. Gwyn has used her talents to help whenever she could. today that continues as she currently serves as a counter and a member of the budget committee.

Nancy Allen has held just about every office in the church you can think of over the years. She has been our moderator, assistant treasurer, mission committee chair, property committee member and Deacon. These official positions are just the tip of the iceberg though. Nancy has been on sewing committees to make baptism robes, children's costumes and curtains. She always bakes up a treat to bring to church functions. She served on past financial campaigns to raise money for the new addition and is probably best remembered for her part in helping us make a miracle on Miracle Sunday in 1995. She was the spokesperson fo the four special ABCUSA mission campaigns for many years and has been a regular reader and worship assistant for many years. When you need something done at church, whether it is helping with the tag sale, a coffee hour or counting the offering after service, she has been Ms. Dependable for us since she joined the congregation in 1990.

Bob Walker joined the church in 2000but by that point he was already involved in the ministry. You may think of him as the new kid on the block but it feels like he has always been here. He has served terms on the diaconate and the trustees as well as on the budget committee and by-laws revision committee. Bob has also taken on the job as the chairman of the ushering committee and that means he not only organizes the group but he comes in on Saturdays to set up and prepare the sanctuary for worship. He has worked with our newsletter crew for several years now as they fold and prepare them to go out in the mail. He's worked on tag sales, clean up days, and special services. He's volunteered to be a reader and an actor on several occasions. He has also used his creative talents to build props, such as our wishing well last fall, and other niceties around the church. His smile and handshake are his most valuable gifts and he shares them freely week after week to bless the rest of us.

Previous Count on Me Award Winners include Doris Adams, Curt & Mary Brockway, Bob Buchowiecki, Kathy Duntz, Harry & Betty Eisan, Lori Lord, Rosie Main and George W. Strouse in 1996.