Dear Church,
As we begin a new year, I can not help but marvel at all that
God has done and is doing in this community. The ministry that is
accomplished through this church is truly amazing. Last year 1,223 meals
were served to children between the ages of one and eighteen who otherwise
might have gone hungry; between 250 and 300 families per month received
much needed food through the Food Pantry, and over 1,000 people’s lives were
touched through the various ministries of the Pharr Community Outreach
Program. Four of those persons became US citizens after participating in
our citizenship classes. Other indicators, perhaps more telling indicators
of God’s work among us can be seen on any Sunday morning. Our average
worship attendance for last year was 88. This is up from the average of 51
two years ago. 21 people joined the church by profession of faith and we
celebrated 14 baptisms. God is at work among us.
All of this ministry has not been without cost. Many of you
have contributed countless hours of your valuable time and even more have
contributed through truly sacrificial giving of financial resources.
Nevertheless, we began this year desperately low on funds. We were behind
on most our bills and were short almost three thousand dollars on
apportionments. I am pleased to report that we are now current on all our
bills and our apportionments were paid in full on time. I am extremely
proud of the way so many of you dug so deeply to make this possible.
This year I fully expect to see God’s work continue to expand in
this community. Already the Angel Food ministry has been added and we now
have both a Wesley Nurse and a Christian Counselor working in the church. I
believe that Pharr UMC is on the cusp of a new and wonderful stage in its
long and fruitful history. God is doing a powerful work in this place and
each and everyone of you has a roll to play in that work. For we are
what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (NRSV Ephesians 2:10)
I would like to invite each of you to be in prayer concerning
your role in the ministry of the Pharr UMC. How is God calling you to
deepen your participation in the life of this community in 2007? How will
you respond?
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Bob
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