December 2009
Dear Emmanuel Baptist Church Family:
As the 2009 Christmas season approaches, we on the pastoral staff want to thank you and the Lord for allowing us to continue in ministry at Emmanuel. We love each of you, and deeply appreciate your cooperative support. It is a shame that every Fundamental Baptist church does not have the great unity that God has given us.
The consistent support you have provided is a blessing, including the financial care given, as demonstrated by the very generous Christmas bonuses for us. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
We are also thankful for the hours of volunteer work that characterize Emmanuel every week. The ministry could not thrive as it does without the involvement of so many workers.
Thank you, also, for your consistent giving to the Lord. The tithes and offerings have been faithfully given, despite some severe economic problems in our area, with several of our church members out of work. This year, we have given over $100,000 to missions, and the General fund giving has exceeded the budget we set one year ago.
Thank you for sending Pastor Surrett to Cuba, to assist Pancho Rovirosa in setting up his ministry there, and for sending Pastor Ogle to help the Youngs in Papua New Guinea. We believe that these fine missionaries have been encouraged by our presence in their fields of ministry, and we look forward to God’s blessings upon them.
Pastor and Mrs. Surrett could never thank you enough for the “surprise” trip to Israel taken this summer. It was a tremendous highlight of their lives, and will never be forgotten.
The Ogles are deeply appreciative of the nice vehicle that the church provided for them as well.
All of us are thankful for the answers to prayers regarding Pastor Brubaker’s health issues.
To those of you who are new to our church family this year, we are thankful that you were sensitive to God’s will in finding a place of service here. To those who have been with us longer, we appreciate your faithfulness and steadfastness.
As we continue to seek God’s direction for our ministry here, we thank God in advance for the unity that we expect to experience together. May God bless you and your family, and may the Lord Jesus Christ be particularly honored in your home at this special season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Luke 2:14.
Pastor & Mrs. Surrett
Pastor & Mrs. Brubaker
Pastor & Mrs. Ogle