FEBRUARY 21, 2010

I am asking that you attend our worship service on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. That Sunday is "Fill the Pews Sunday."

Your first reaction may be "Why? " The Scriptures declare that "without a vision, the people perish. " St. Paul's is moving forward. There are some new people attending and many faithful people continue to fulfill responsibilities and do ministry through St. Paul's . There is a sense in our congregation that we want to expand our ministry in 2010. To expand ministry means to expand our base.

By humbly requesting your presence on February 21, we will have the ability to "see" and experience a sanctuary full of people. Your attendance will help us further create a sense of vision for the future. Sometimes seeing is believing. Your presence will encourage and cheer us on as we endeavor to expand our ministries at St. Paul's . Even if it is only for this one Sunday, your being here will be a great inspiration. You will be giving to us, providing us a sense of future, vision, and excitement.

Vision is so important to any group. Any group needs goals, dreams,and a sense of an exciting future. I am thanking you advance for your efforts to be here on February 21 and contributing to our vision. I hope that you will now put this date on your calendar.

In the Old Testament, a man named Nehemiah found his beloved city, Jerusalem, in ruins. The walls were crumbled and the city was ripe for raids and ransacking. To rebuild the walls seemed impossible and foolish. But Nehemiah rallied the people and the walls were rebuilt, to the disgust of the enemies of Nehemiah's people. The walls were rebuilt, one gate at a time. As one gate was completed, so another soon followed. Seeing was believing. The vision caught on. The walls were rebuilt.

Often people are asked to attend some event for what they, those attending, will receive. Fill the Pews Sunday is an opportunity for you to give. If we can see everyone in attendance on the same Sunday, our vision will be strengthened.

I want to see you and to meet you, either again or for the first time. We want to fill the pews, not to win a contest or get a good feeling. By seeing a full sanctuary of people, our vision will be ignited to expand our ministries to meet the needs of a greater cross-section of persons. Fill the Pews Sunday is February 21, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. We attend things that are important. I hope you will see this as significant.

God's help and comfort to you and your family in the new year. May you personally find fresh vision for your own family, life, or career.

Blessings!

Pastor Brad

The holidays were also a special time at St. Paul's. I hope that you were able to attend one of our Christmas Eve services. We tried something new this year by having one in the morning and one in the evening. Please let the council know if you liked this idea.

The council has a full schedule ahead of them for 2010. We need to develop a committee for the Long Range Planning group. We also need to purchase a new stove so we can safely have our gala events like Oktoberfest, etc. We also have numerous ministries planned. As one of your New Year's Eve resolutions, why not include picking a ministry and helping with it. Put St. Paul's in your plans for 2010 as we try and expand our ministry in our community. It will take effort from everyone to help St. Paul's to continue to grow. We have seen some growth this year and plan on continuing this as a priority for 2010. As it is stated in our Sunday morning bulletin, the ministers of St. Paul's is EVERYONE!

On behalf of the council, I would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2010. Help us fill the pews and listen to the message, where there is always good news!

Debbie Wisowaty
Council President