August 28, 2015

Norm’s Notes

Today I had the funeral for Lois Nelson, long time FMC attender. She came to Fairview in the early 1980’s. In her Bible, the one she used for the last ten years or so, she had the Friends Day message outline from 1987 plus other outlines. And she had a poem, “Safely Home,” that she wanted read at her funeral. The birthdays of all her kids and grandkids and their spouses, and most of her great grandkids, are inside the front cover. When I would visit her in the nursing home she could look at their pictures and tell what they were doing in life. She has a granddaughter married to a gentleman from France who is a Formula 1 race car driver. Lois was rightfully proud of her extended family and the godly heritage she has left. Lois was grandmother to our own Dan Foster; Dan is part of the Sunday morning worship team. Well done, Lois. Well done indeed.

It’s great to be your Caring Pastor. See you Sunday!

Pastor Norm  
 Caring Pastor 

Some Church Growth Ideas

We have all noticed the large number of new attenders in church. God is growing His church. Here are some practical ideas all of us can do to help with the new people God is bringing:
Parking: The upper level lot is usually full both services. If regular attenders who are able to walk the distance would be willing to park on the lower level lot as far from the church as possible, it would free up the upper lot for more guests. Men, consider letting your family off under the canopy and then park your vehicle down below. Where you park could impact someone’s eternity.
Seating: If regular attenders would consider sitting in the middle of the row instead of on the ends, it makes the row seem more visitor friendly. Where you sit could impact someone’s eternity.
Greeting: A simple handshake, “hi,” smile, “good to see you”, “how long have you been attending?” all make the church more welcoming. Your smile could impact someone’s eternity.  
Small Churches: When you introduce yourself to someone and they say they are relatively new to FMC, be sure to invite them to your small church that meets on Sunday or Wednesday.

These are just some practical church growth ideas we can all do to continue to grow God’s church.
 

Trivia Tidbit

While doing research for an FMC family to see where their relatives may be buried, I found there are 46 cemeteries in Steuben County. More than I ever thought.
DivorceCare Sign up for a daily email.
GriefShare Sign up for a daily email.
ChristianCinema to find a good movie.
Small Groups at FMC. Join a small group.
 
It’s Better in a Group
You remember the video Pastor Joel used last Sunday, it is also a good video saying why we need to be in a small group. Watch it again here.
 
New college parent?
Did you just send your first college student off to school? Parents, check out this link for help with your feelings. 
 
Meijer “Simply Give”
for Project Help
“Simply Give” is where Meijer will take a $10 gift and turn it into $30 with a double match. You can give to this in three ways:
1. Put your gift in the offering marked “Project Help”.
2. Send your gift to Project Help, PO Box 423, Angola.
3. Buy one or more $10 gift cards for Project Help at the Meijer checkout and Meijer will double match each $10 card for $30. The program runs through September 12. 

In the past 12 months, Project Help has spent over $30,000 on food from Meijer.