“Together We Can…” Stories
Ithaca ~ Kris Adams
We have experienced a few situations in the church that required the congregation to pull together. One was providing meals for a family in our congregation when the father had back surgery. The other situation was the repainting of the church sanctuary. People really pulled together to help out in a way we really had not seen before, and it was great to see some teamwork and bonds being created.
(January)We're seeing some new faces attend church services, and we are beginning some new 'outside of the box' plans for outreach/evangelism. Many thanks go to the many Nazarenes around the district who have been helping us out, from getting our tax forms done to fixing the sound board.
Schenectady ~ Richard Reese
Some testimonies of God’s Amazing Grace and Power
Nela and Tommy began attending our church in early fall. Nela, a committed Christian, is a product of our Nazarene work in Cape Verde, she married Tom who has a limited understanding of God 2 years ago. Over the last few months they have come faithfully with their little daughter Angelina; sometimes Tom has even come on his own when Nela was out of town. Nela recently had to have serious surgery with no immediate friends or family in the area. Deb and I were able to spend the day with him at the hospital taking care of their little one and listening to his fears, praying with and encouraging him to trust God. Tom has been very open and receptive and this small act of support has been overwhelming to him. He called to tell us that “no one has ever done anything like that for me before.” We are asking God to help Tom accept Christ as Savior and turn his life completely over to Him in all areas of his life.
Kris, a young woman raised in this church, recently discovered she had breast cancer at age 30. Radical surgery was needed. They and her parents have been sporadic in attendance over the last year and half but have begun to attend more regularly and have also been very open and receptive. As I prayed with Kris before surgery Kris confirmed that God was in control of her life and she was trusting Him with all this. Her parents and husband are also very tender towards God and we are praying for an open door to share Christ with them and that they will become true disciples of Christ.
Debby Leonard, our church treasurer and a faithful servant of Christ, suffered a sudden pain in her head on Dec 9. After several tests they determined it was an aneurysm, specifically the kind that normally kills or causes serious disability. It is a miracle that she has almost fully recovered and we are trusting God for a full recovery.
Other good news
A young adult Sunday School class that is just beginning to mature in Christ wrote and directed an all church Christmas program based on the fulfillment of God’s Promise to Abraham in Christ. 41 people were involved, many of them new to the church. Not only did they spend three months studying the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ruth/Boaz , David and others but they learned what it means to walk by faith as they planned, prepared, practiced and presented the story of how God kept His Promise in Christ! It was great experiential learning as they all made their own journey through the process.
A neighbor we have casually known and have been trying to witness to and befriend for years opened up new doors for us in December. He has watched our physical limitations and rehabilitation after both Deb and later my accident. One cold day in December he came over when he saw Deb and I shoveling snow. “I am simply amazed at what the two of you are able to do after all you have been through”. We testified how God has been helping us both heal and become healthier. In a short while he came back and asked if he could rent our church fellowship hall for a Christmas get together for his family and friends. We agreed and he invited us to the dinner. Over 30 unchurched people gathered in our church fellowship hall without a single invitation from us! We had a great time meeting them and have begun a new level of friendship with the neighbor and his wife. God is bringing them in! Praise His Name!
Other news of note….
• 50 advent calendars were mailed to children/youth in our neighborhood and on our outreach list. We invited them to come and be part of our Christmas program and Children’s party and one fringe girl came and took part. 12 children plus several adults attended the party with a new mother helping or the first time.
• We now have 3 Guyanese families who attend our services.
Niagara 91st Street ~ David and Linda Aaserud
We have begun the Rondezvous in our second Discipleship group held on Wed nights. We look forward to its relationship dynamics enhancing our disciples and strengthening our church growth. Our Youth did a fine job on their night of drama and testimony.
Endicott ~ Dan Eddings
We have had a great month of services. The Lord has been at work in some very powerful ways. We are seeing lives transformed. We have also seen a large reduction in our deficit this month. We have gone from over $10,000 to just over $3,000. All by increase in individual giving and even some new givers. We rejoice in what God is doing.
Arcade Crossroads ~ John Spencer
We almost doubled our church attendance with 122 people for our Christmas cantata.
Owego ~ Dennis King
We have started a sports outreach ministry called UPWARD Basketball and Cheerleading. Numerous unchurched families are involved and are learning about Christ through coaches' devotionals and halftime testimonies.
Sanborn St. Paul’s ~ Lane Verschoor
Some young adults who are kids and grandkids of our regular attenders are now showing up regularly for Sunday Services. They are asking lots of questions and getting excited about the Lord. One asked if she could have a Bible from the church pew and has been studying. Her brother is suppose to stop in for a visit to the Sunday Service as well. Some of the Karate attenders are starting to call me their Pastor even though they are not attending church services. So I think they may be considering things.
Olean ~ Cynthia Symons
We are starting Renovare (renew) groups--have 3 of those going very soon and trying to start a couple of new outreach Bible Studies.
