Unprecedented. For reasons good and bad, no one will forget this year. If you ever doubted the power of the gospel or the influence of lives full of the fruit of the Spirit, just look around. God’s power and grace are visible. Not only has this church survived, she has grown and glorified Christ along the way. Here is what can be measured.
Sunday Morning Attendance Contribution (Budget)
2016 47.9 2183 (2400)
2017 48.8 2101 (2293)
2018 49.3 2109 (2059)
2019 55.4 2478 (2268)
2020 40.6* 2444 (2450)
What these numbers do not show is the special effort of individual Christians during this trying year. Because of the threat of COVID-19, we did not meet in person for nine straight weeks. Yet the members of this church gave themselves first to God and then found a way to make sure their contributions were made. Through the mail, through the slot in the door, by the helping hands of others, you let your light shine. I am speechless. God blessed us to exceed our budget for a third straight year. Thank you.
We assembled together on ZOOM and Facebook live. We learned about masks, hand washing, and became comfortable with the phrase “social distance” even when its practice made us uncomfortable. We learned about communion cups, contribution trays in the back, quarantine, worshipping from home, and the eternal need for companionship. Lord grant us a return to hugs in 2021.
We not only kept from going backwards, we have moved forward dramatically. Even with a substantial number worshipping from home to avoid the virus, our attendance over the fourth quarter of this year was 40.3. We are in the process of selecting and appointing elders for this congregation. If shepherds are ordained in 2021, it will be because of the foundation laid in 2020. May God bless us, humble us, and put us in order.
There is one event that casts a shadow on this year like none other. Scott and Laurie Ford’s firstborn son and Carly’s brother, Winston Ford, passed away in March at just 27-years of age. Winston is not the only one we mourn at year’s end. Kim Brown, Ronnie Johnson, and Lyndsey Scott lost parents. Other members are mourning brothers, sisters, and relatives. Praise God we do not, “grieve as others do who have no hope.”-I Thessalonians 4:13.
In the midst of sorrow have come occasions of great joy! Emmett was born to Mitch and Notya Brown. Neyland made parents of Josh and Lyndsey Scott. Kayla Crouch and Dee Dee Savage are expecting. We have four new brothers and sisters in Christ. Notya Brown, Juston Perez, Diara Savage, and Alva Waelde received grace in baptism this year.
It wouldn’t be a normal year at North Second Street without some turnover. The Bromley, Grelle, and Perez families are no longer with us. But the Browns, Rabbitts, Savages, and Alva Waelde all expressed their desire to join the work here. Neal and Ryan Brooks are back at Fort Campbell and plan to join us, in person, in 2021. We praise God for those we have been blessed to know and those he will bless us with knowing.
If the Lord wills, we will ordain overseers for this flock in March of 2021. I ask you to pray for God to raise up men fit for the work and to humble us to follow them in the Lord. For me, the message of this year of coronavirus it to keep your head up and move your feet. Trust God to show us the way, pray for his Spirit give us strength for the journey, and let the gospel of Jesus on the cross move us to action. To God be the glory!
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