Once again I had a chance to meet new people.  God is giving us great opportunities to CONNECT with these new folks.  Will you look around and find some people you don’t know and invite them into your SMALL GROUP or SUNDAY SCHOOL class? It will truly make a difference.

We continue to have new additions to the NURSERY.  There are a variety of BABY DEDICATIONS happening during September and October.  YEA!  What a way to grow the church.

There was a great response in BOTH services as people stepped forward to seek GOD.  Many hearts were touched and people made some significant spiritual commitments.  GOD IS ON THE MOVE – DON’T MISS IT.

Psalm 62:8, 'Pour your heart out to God, for he is a safe place for you.' – That’s what was going on Sunday morning.

I strongly encourage you to pray BOLDLY and BELIEVINGLY.  God is at work and loves to hear your prayers!  REALLY!

Over the past week we had responses of just over $400,000 of additional pledges toward the BUILDING PROJECT. This is HUGE! You’ll be hearing more about this VERY SOON.  Be watching!

 LAST DAYS LIVING – A 3-Week Series on SUNDAY NIGHTS begins October 4^th with Steven Fletcher.  DON’T MISS THIS ONE.  6:00 pm in Lower Rickard.

First Family - let me close out by saying THANK YOU for your prayers for Jer and me, the staff, and the church family. I believe we are seeing THE CHURCH become more and more about what God wants it to become.  We are BY NO MEANS perfect…but more and more I believe we are seeing Acts 2:42-47 begin to take place!

I’m already looking forward to SUNDAY!

Pastor Dave

What a great Lord’s Day at Salem 1st!  We had 2 significant hours together and a chance to revisit WHO we are, and WHERE we’re headed.

We’ve been challenged to really pray and fast this week, asking God to do BIG THINGS for HIS Church.

We have a $1.3 million dollar need to be covered, which we named GOLIATH.  Let’s take him down!

Once again I met a NUMBER of NEW PEOPLE who came through our doors! This never gets old.

I had a chance to PRAY WITH a variety of people about SPIRITUAL issues and needs. That never gets old!

Got off to a strong start in 1st hour with the new series YOU & ME, which is a walk through a section of the BOOK OF ACTS.  It’s about DOING LIFE TOGETHER in the Kingdom.  I believe that this study will really impact our Flock

On a personal note- would really ask you to pray for Jer and me as we carry some extra heavy burdens right now.

I sense we are on the verge of something great GOD WANTS TO DO, and I want to be a part of it.  I’m thrilled to be included in Kingdom work.

I believe we are seeing THE CHURCH become more and more about what God wants it to become.  We are BY NO MEANS perfect…but more and more I believe we are seeing Acts 2:42 begin to take place!

Don’t Forget – Let’s gather this Sunday and be prepared to give a devastating blow to the remaining need for this building.  For those of you who may have missed the weekend, you can listen to both hours on the POD CAST.

It’s FALL.  Are you in a small group or Sunday School class?  Let me encourage you to do so.  It’s how we DO LIFE TOGETHER, and there’s a great menu to choose from!

The 1st three Sunday Evenings of October we will be having my crazy uncle, Steven Fletcher, speaking on LAST DAYS LIVING.  This 3-part series will be FANTASTIC.  We’ll meet in the Lower Rickard and you’ll find this both challenging and insightful, not to mention, you’ll love Fletch.

I’m already looking forward to next Sunday.  See you then.

Love,

Dave

* Ray Beaty in overseeing the properties getting sellable and listed

* Ron Ziebart as chair of our building committee

- Bids are coming in from a variety of sub contractors so that we
can really know the hard numbers as to what the building will actually cost.  We have about 65% of these bids in.  Once we know the total amount we will see how it compares to what we have in finances on hand and pledged.  Depending whether or not there is a difference, we will come back to the congregation and determine what step to take next.  I said on Sunday that we had over $4 million dollars committed, thinking that we had $4.3, however, I found out that it was right at $4 million dollars.  So, we continue to have a ways to go in our giving.

Here’s where all of us come in:

We need everyone to participate in this project if this is going to happen.

Please clearly mark your Building Project giving so that it gets
routed to the right place.  Building Project monies are to be above
and beyond our regular giving.  It’s in the arena of sacrificial
giving.

And finally, we need to be giving as soon as possible.  Our major
costs will be the most up front costs.  The more money we have on hand at the beginning will position us the best.

3. Unique Men’s/Women’s Breakfast this Saturday -  We are privileged to have a very special guest speaker, Andrea Westfall.  She will be speaking about the experiences of those who have returned from serving in the Iraq war and ways that the church can effectively minister to those soldiers.  Breakfast Time:  9:00 a.m.  I hope you’ll take advantage of this special opportunity to have your heart encouraged and briefed on how we can make a difference.

4. Financial update from Pastor Jerry - BUILDING PROJECT:  “I’ve not sent any updates recently as we’re fast approaching a very important meeting that should help us know how close we are to a ground-breaking moment.  Here is a summary of the latest numbers that matter:



In the Building Reserves: 1.1 million

Pledges received to-date: 2.1 million

Anticipated capital from property sales: .8 million



Our last estimate for the completed project was 5.5 million.  At this
moment the gap seems considerable; that’s what makes this upcoming meeting so important.  We have people from within our church family working with builder and architect to find ways we can reduce cost. They’re working hard; they’re making real progress.  I expect results to be encouraging, but there will still be need for some additional significant pledges.  Keep praying!  I believe the Lord will get us there.



BUDGETS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER:  Here’s a summary of where we are as of June 30:

Income Received: (excludes Bldg. Project & special gifts):           $389,285

Income Budgeted for this period: $419,285

Expenses To-Date: $404,855

Expenses Budgeted To-Date: $420,855



As you can see, we’re running 2% behind budget on income, and 1% under budget for expenses.  This gives us a deficit of 15,569 as of June 30. While I’m waiting for the full July report I already know income was well beneath the budget.  We continue to feel, as a church, what many of you are feeling as families – the ongoing effect of this current recession.  We will continue to closely monitor our spending as we work our way through what is usually the leanest income time of the year - our summer months. Your prayers and continued faithfulness during this time are greatly appreciated. We are in the middle of some truly “God-sized” challenges this year.  One thing we know for certain as it pertains to God’s priorities – the tithe remains sacred, something he intends for His “storehouse”.  (Malachi 3)



What is the storehouse?  The storehouse is where you receive your
ministry at a personal level.  It’s the local church, where people
know you and your family.  It’s those that call on you when sick, who
minister to you when hurting.  It’s the pastor that will do your
funeral, as well as those of family and friends.  No TV or radio
ministry will do that for you.  No ministry in the world, no matter
how big or how great, will come and hold your new baby or preside over your wedding.  That’s why God makes a distinction between tithes – the first 10% - and offerings, whatever else may be in your heart to give wherever you choose.  The storehouse is your church family – where you live and where you worship. There is no substitute for it.”



Let me close by thanking you for staying faithful in your giving.
It’s what enables us to keep doing ministry full scale like we do
throughout the rest of the year.  When you give, God uses you in a
powerful way to help His Church do His work. Thanks for your
generosity!



I’m looking forward to spending these August Sundays with you, because they are going to be great!



Truly Blessed By God,

Pastor Dave