Dear Friends:

At our Annual Meetings, we always begin with prayer. We continue the meeting by updating ourselves as to our financial strength, and then we make decisions on whatever business needs there are.

As we think over the past year, we cannot help but be amazed at all that God has done. We have experienced an extraordinary year in many ways. You will undoubtedly be able to think of more ways we have experienced the hand of God’s faithfulness over the last year, but, as the summer 2003 ended…

· We were planning the start of our Children’s Ministry which began in the fall of 2003. After not having a Christian Education ministry for a number of years, this was a major faith-step. As we begin 2005, this ministry has proven to be a blessing to the adults who lead it and to the kids who receive ministry from it.

· We already offered a Nursery for small children during the morning worship service. However, it was difficult to staff and we were worried as to whether we could manage to field adult leadership for both the Nursery and the Children’s Ministry.

· We just made a decision to welcome Kristen Clough as our Youth Pastor. The Youth Ministry started slowly and deliberately over the first few months of 2004, and has become quite significant in just a short time. The young people who are part of our Youth Ministry are growing in the Lord and inviting their friends.

· Indeed, the Youth Worship Band has led worship several times this year, and our whole church has received their ministry with great excitement. It is such a blessing to have young people who possess a heart for worship and are able to communicate their love for the Lord with such clarity.

· As 2003 drew to a close, we did not have a Women’s Ministry, but in the late winter and Spring of 2004, the women of the church began to pray regularly for God’s direction. Meetings developed as the year progressed.

· We have continued to see a missionary heart develop: Timber Leech once gain ministered in Recife, Brazil during the winter months, and Bob Galaska served aboard the MV Caribbean Mercy in Honduras.

· During 2003, our church experienced a financial “shot in the arm” from the Bourne Council on Aging because they rented a significant portion of our building for several months. We had real concerns as to whether we could handle the financial responsibilities that would follow in 2004. We have been wonderfully blessed by God’s faithful provision this year.

· Our Worship Team underwent changes in personnel over the last year. The Team has emerged spiritually and relationally stronger, more united, and with a greater gifting for worship.

· People have said, and their continuing presence in our fellowship has meant, that they feel safe and comfortable here. Our church is really becoming the “Safe Harbor” God has called us to be.

What incredible things God has accomplished! Even before our Annual Meeting begins, take time to think of ways God has expressed His faithfulness that are not yet added to this list. Please let us know where you see God working! God is glorified when His children take time to recount His faithfulness in preparation for future ministry.

We are seeking God for His direction as we launch into 2005. There are some apparent needs in our church today: new believers among us need to solidify their spiritual base and others must find deliverance in their struggle with addiction. We have yet to address the growing need to develop small groups that will help every believer be vitally connected to the body. I believe God wants to unleash mutual ministry in our church as never before.

Please uphold our church and your pastoral leaders this year in prayer. We stand in need of heaven’s touch!

In Jesus,

Pastor Ed de la Cour