On October 5th, the first Saturday evening worship service was attended by 164 people. Over 50 attended the two adult electives at 6:00 PM. I invite you to come and see how unusual and attractive the Fellowship Hall can be when it is arranged and decorated for worship. And when you have gotten over that surprise, let's go hard after God together. I am excited about the potential of this service!

It is part of a long range plan. Other parts of that plan have been endorsed by the Long Range Planning Committee and the Council of Deacons. Here is a copy of that motion that the deacons unanimously approved on September 24.

The LRPC recommends to the Deacon Council that the church begin planning for construction of new CE/office space to be located where the 1914 building [west of sanctuary] currently stands and that we also begin to pursue additional parking on a rental or purchase basis. A church vote should be taken at a special business meeting to be held no later than the mid-December business meeting.

In addition, approval of this motion would include:

1. commissioning of the LRPC to spend the necessary funds to develop a preliminary plan, in conjunction with architects and whomever, to present to the congregation;
2. development by the staff of a staffing plan that would generally match the time frame of the building program, to be prepared by no later than the mid-December business meeting;
3. development by the Trustee Board of a parking plan that would attempt to anticipate and address the parking needs for the church during the same building timetable, to be developed by mid-December;
4. recommendation that we actively pray and plan for planting a church that would be similar in philosophy to Bethlehem, after the building program is complete.

On Sunday evening, October 20, at 7:30 in the Fellowship Hall, there will be an open forum with the LRPC and staff to discuss these plans and anything else regarding our future. Come!

Resting in the covenant sabbath joy with you,

Pastor John