Dan Cooper's Blog

What a thrill it was to mail those 30 Thanksgiving cards last Monday!  You did great!  We sent cards to former members, missionaries, people from the community and far away financial supporters.  You filled the cards with more names and notes than ever before.  Great!  Sometimes word gifts are the best gifts you can give. For most recipients, the cards arrived the day before or the day after Thanksgiving.

First Fruit Sunday!  Next Sunday will be the third anniversary of our first “First Fruit Sunday.”  Three years ago, on Dec. 3, 2006, our church donated $52,694 on our “First Fruit Sunday,” and committed $975,000 over three years.  In spite of his grave illness, John Reimels insisted that Joyce send their check for the “First Fruit Sunday” contribution!  John would be so thrilled to see us finishing strong.  On next Sunday Greg Krinks, one of our elders will preach, and we will formally conclude our three year “Reaching Out in Faith” campaign.  Katherine and I have sacrificed, like many of you, to make our pledge a reality.  Next Sunday we finish!  One of the many lessons learned, “God honors sacrifice!”
Dan

Katherine and I are leading a 13 day tour to Israel and Egypt, May 13-29, 2010. We already have about a dozen who are committed, and we can take as many as 40 or 45 with us.  The tour will depart from Newark International Airport and we plan to hit all the high-lights in Israel, including Masada, spend a day and night at Mt. Sinai (climbing to the top, for the hearty), then spend the last three days in Egypt.  This will be our third trip to lead to Israel, but our first to include Egypt.  We are excited!

While this does promise to be a spiritually enriching trip, it is not sponsored by the church.  If you’d like more information please contact me and I will be glad to send you a full color brochure which includes all the basics.  The weather should be perfect in May, after the rainy season, and before the summer heat settles in.  These dates are pretty well locked in.  After a trip to Israel, you never again read your Bible in just the same way.  This trip to Jerusalem (and beyond) is just a precursor to the ultimate trip to the “New Jerusalem.”  Contact us if you are interested in learning more. 

His Servant,
Dan

If I had been writing the script, I could not have scripted it any better!

A perfect beginning with angelic blending of voices on Friday night… then a delicious breakfast on Saturday morning coordinated by Judi Campbell ... then the wonderful food, fellowship and loving spirit at Masso’s on Saturday afternoon, coordinated by Barbara Britton and her committee ... and finally the wonderful turn out for the noon meal on Sunday from “extended family,” host families and current church leaders!

The perfect touch in the ideal script was the baptisms of the “two Joe’s.”  Welcome to Joe Pollard, Courtney’s husband, relatively new in association with our church family.  And, welcome to Joe Calabro, Nancy’s husband, who has been attending our church for the better part of three decades.  What an astounding way to end our 50th anniversary celebration…The baptisms of two adult males.  Wow…How could it have been any better!  God is so good.

Still celebrating God’s victories, 
-Dan

I dug out the old church bulletins and discovered what was happening here 25 years ago today.  Jim Daniels, Frank Rizzuto and John Rucker were our elders.  Ted and Rose Noe were complimented for their excellent job of building cleaning.  Jim McManus was struggling with heart issues.  Ruth Daniels was experiencing “nausea and vertigo.”  Helen Dilks was “not doing as well as she’d like.”  Evelyn Wandel was “recovering at her daughter’s home and” Katie Point was “recovering from a tonsillectomy.”  The Hobo Party was advertised, Alex Isaga was baptized and Jr. and Carolyn Boren placed membership.  On that first Sunday of November, 1984 there were 127 in Sunday morning worship and we gave $1,260.  Many have gone on to their reward and we are standing on the shoulders of some spiritual giants!

It was the Cooper’s first Sunday with this church.  Andrew was 9, Becky was 7, Luke was 3 and Rachel was only 1 and still not walking. This was my second full time preaching job.  The first column of “From Katherine’s Kitchen” appeared (See inside for reprint.)  Remembering and thanking God for the last 25 years.  He has been so good to us!  Thank you, Dan and Katherine