A Word From the Pastor

As 2011 has come to a close and we are a few days into what could be one of our greatest years ever, I write you with a heart full of thanksgiving and gratitude.  I am thankful for your prayers and faithful actions that have moved our life-changing ministry and outreach into this New Year with great strength.

MAGNIFICENT LAUNCH SUNDAY

I count Sunday as one of the most powerful and impactful days at Lovers Lane that I have experienced since 1998.  I am most grateful for the way you have worked together on so many different fronts.  As a staff we always hope and pray to involve our faith community in events that release energy in celebration of what God is doing, and Sunday was an explosion of energy. Sunday was the epitome of our Simpler, Stronger, more Spirited approach to enhance our Service and worship of God.  A few highlights:

•  Overall worship attendance, 1479. (8:15 worship was up 10%)
•  The Basics Bible Community had 238 in attendance in its first gathering
•  Children and Preschool attendance up 57% over last year’s average. 
•  Youth meeting as a Jr. High group and a separate Sr. High group netted an increase of 40%
• First-ever Shepherd’s Garden communion service had 78 worshippers at noon
• Many, many, many visitors

TREMENDOUS YEAR-END

Though we are still putting the finishing touches on the books for 2011, I cannot wait to give you some positive results.  At this time we are at least $30,000 “in the black” for 2011. We have met all of our connectional mission giving which was a gift of $454,612.  We carried some funds into the New Year in many designated ministry accounts, which was our hoped for result with our new stewardship strategy last year.  We have generously supported our Love Offering initiatives sending $42,500 to Christ Foundry, $27,000 to Zoe Geh Hospital in Liberia, a portion to be used for a transport vehicle, $5,000 to Moscow Seminary, $31,000 to Feed My Starving Children, $26,000 to Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, as well as healthy support for other local missions. Final reporting will come very soon.

CHURCH CONFERENCE COMING JANUARY 22^ND

On January 22^nd following the 10:50 a.m. worship services ALL members are invited to the Sanctuary for a report on a land purchase and funding plan by our Boards of Trustees and Stewards.  We have the Jackson property to our East under contract and will vote concerning its purchase.  The beautiful property has great potential for ministry and will complete our campus to the East, which has been a longstanding goal. It will also provide an ingress/egress that is extremely valuable to us for our Sunday morning movement.  Presently when our parking lot is full as it was on Sunday, we have to direct members and visitors out of the main lot onto Inwood Rd., right on Brookview to Meadowbrook and into the Meadowbrook parking lot.  The property will actually decrease our driving through the neighborhood and make us much more “visitor friendly”.   The Trustees and Stewards believe we will greatly benefit from this property.

We have not kicked off a new year with so much energy and promise in a long time.  Let me close by saying thank you for your prayers and incredible generosity resulting in the greatest budget-giving year in our recent history and perhaps ever in the history of Lovers Lane.  One request—if you are able, and can park on the CSD lot, it would be most helpful for our visitors; donuts and juice will be available for all of you who take up the challenge. A shuttle bus will take you to your destination entrance.  

It is a true JOY to be your pastor!

Stanley R. Copeland