Message from Scott

Partners,

My last message on "God encounters" really touched me (supposed to affect you all...not me). As I listen to "I will never be" Sunday and reflected on the events that God has brought into my life to where I can't and wont go back...it may sound kind of sappy and I always thought it was when I heard others talk of it...pictures of life and time spent with all of you flashed through my mind.

The God encounter that is the beginning of New Church has been used by God to change me and my families life for the better. Sure, there has been some trying times, and I am sure there will be more, but sitting from the "pastor's view" I can testify that New Church is filled with people who are getting it! Not just going to church but actually being the church!

We have countless stories of people not looking down on others in need and just throwing them crumbs, but people who have actually went down, got down, and even got their hands dirty extending support to each other. "Religious Churches" are full of words and the obligatory statement: "I'll pray for you"...relationship is when prayer is followed by sharing resources and personal sacrifice.

The relationship with God that you have is not just seen on your faces, heard in the singing of songs, or the saying of your prayers it is testified too by those inside and outside of our "partnership" who have been touched and influenced with the love of God in action.

Attached you will find an accounting of last years expenditures. This coming year will bring many financial challenges with the addition of the expenses of being in a building. Fret? Worry? Panic? "Not gonna do it!" New Church has seen God provide in His time on time every time! However, if we do not share the need how can God's people know?
Here are some monthly responsibilities that will be added with the acquisition of the building:
The average power bill is around $550 with peaks as high as $1,100 with lots of use and bad weather. We will have additional office expense in phone/Internet use $90 (we normally have had a phone bill of $45 but we are exploring ways to reduce that in the coming months). The water bill can range a bit from $50 to ? Trash bags, cleaning supplies, and all the other misc. will add up as well.

As you look at the financial statement keep this in mind...it is hard to track and place a value on all the donations and gifts God's people have generously given. That applies to not only material needs of the church, but also in our helping and meeting the needs of others.

What will New Church look like this time next year? I don't know...I have had two people ask me where the pews are we removed....in case we need them. Now that is definitely a God sized vision!

I am confident and pray to this end...New Church continues to be a place where grace reigns, we hold our dreams loosely insight of what God has for us, and we continue to live and reflect a true love relationship with God. I believe the rest of the stuff that goes to "church" (although necessary and needed) will take care of itself.

"Imperfect people partnering together to become fully mature followers of Jesus Christ."
'Ever expanding irresistible community"
New Church's vision and mission. More than words...it is an outlook on life.
Thank you so much for allowing myself, Deanna, and the kids go on this journey with you.
Thanks you for all your gifts, words of encouragement, and the support. We can never express wholly how much it means to us!

Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)