It all started on August 30th, the day of our ground-breaking ceremony.  I committed to having someone on the property to pray every single day.  So far we’ve made it at least 90 to 95% of the time. 

Yes, we could pray from anywhere and the all-seeing God would hear!  But for me there is just something special about being on the property as the prayers are lifted up.  What do we pray about, you may ask?  Everything!  The safety of the workers, the weather, the permits, Rich Rinne’s leadership of the project, the timing, the finances, the people (especially the children) living around our new building. I also pray about you!  I pray for our sick, (especially Tanya and Caryl) about our church unity, about our elders, and our office staff.  I pray for lost souls, for wisdom, for patience, for the sale of our current building, and for God’s timing.  This is about so much more than building a building.  This is about building a people of deeper faith, of greater dependence upon God. God is in this process, every step of the way!  Without Him we are doomed to fail.  With Him, success in a sure thing!  Will you join with me in prayer?
-Dan

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

I had Christmas in October this year!  Really!  Gifts were given, great food was shared, we stayed up late, and it was a time for family and special memories.  It is like Christmas for me when all of our elders get together with us preachers for our annual prayer and planning time.  That was last week-end, and I was again humbled to be working with such godly men.  Each shepherd brings his own unique gifts, his own perspective and insight.

And, oh how they love you!  They are spirit-led men, and they are devoted to growing God’s kingdom, especially the church here in Pitman.  They sacrifice for you!  They have the hearts of loyal and devoted shepherds.  So much so that they smell like sheep. 

Our annual time at the shore is always one of the highlights of the year for me.  You have a diverse, but unified leadership.  They are so different in their perspective.  Not one of them is a “head elder.”  Christ is the chief shepherd, and they are all His servant-leaders.  And that’s the way God likes it!  Amen. 

–Dan

Don’t you just love “getting even” with people?  No, not “getting even” when you’ve been hurt.  I’m talking about “getting even” when someone has done something nice to/for you. And you get to “get even” with them by reciprocating. Steve lavished wonderful word gifts on me last week in his “Family Porch” article.  Today I get even!  Yippie!

Steve Sikes is a gifted listener.  He is steady, thoughtful, wise, discerning, non-judgmental and compassionate.  He mentors, teaches, preaches, and leads.  He prays like no man I have ever known.  I love hearing Steve pray.  His giftedness has been noticed by others.  He is in demand as a speaker elsewhere.  Steve almost always approves of an abundant accumulation of alliteration in addresses, arguments and articles.  He has an earned PhD and I’ve never once heard him brag about it.  Did I mention that Steve is a humble man?  I love, trust and respect him.

God sent him here at the right time. I love him. He is my brother in the faith. I love our team approach to ministry. 

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Even when we don’t understand Him! 
- Dan

Did you know that we receive calls every month asking us to provide “fill in” preachers?  And we are so blessed with talented and willing speakers that we send someone nearly every time that there is a request.  So far this year I know that Glynn Durham, Garth Hutchinson, Bill Wills and Carl Steiner have spoken at area churches.  From as far north as Randolph, NJ and as far south as Cape May Court House, various Christian brothers have used their God-ordained gifts to teach, preach and edify area churches.  Of course both Steve and I speak to area churches as well.  Add to that the growing list of brothers who speak weekly at Parke Place (Thank you, Jay) and you get a glimpse of the impact our congregation is having throughout the state of New Jersey.  I praise God for willing, capable servants.  To God be the glory.

Matching Gifts Update: From May to Sept. the matching gift challenge of $28,000 was fully matched with gifts of $28,000.  The matching gift challenge for October is $4,000.  For each dollar of new money given in October, that gift will be matched with a dollar. I love you and this great journey of faith excites me. 
- Dan

Imagine my shock on Tuesday as I arrived at the church in Springfield, MO and there sat Ted and Luanne Howard.  (Ted was one of our deacons ten years ago).  They now live in Arkansas, but were vacationing in Branson so decided to stop in for a visit. In addition, their oldest son, Clint, his wife, Sara, and their baby girl, Morgan, drove in from Kansas.  Clint is now a full-time preacher!  And Joe Marshall had invited his elderly Uncle Lee & Aunt Yenn  to drive about thirty minutes to meet me on Tuesday.  My parents from Colorado, Lee & Alma, my sister, Mary Beth, from Washington, and my niece, Jolene, from California were there all there Tuesday night, too. Greetings from all of them to all of you.

On Monday, Steve and Patti’s son, Caleb Sikes, surprised me by walking into church and introducing himself. We ate dinner together. Caleb looks more than a little like his dad.  He even brought a visitor with him!

Sherri’s parents, Phyllis & Dale Herndon, are members at the church there in Springfield.  Sherri’s 91 year old dad did not miss one service.  Amazing!  Guess that means Sherri is likely to be with us a long, long time.

Jeff Klein, who was taught by our own Dwight T, and was a long time member at Tabernacle, is one of their deacons.  He, too, said to tell everyone hello. 

Heaven will be sweeter because we’ve known each other here.
-Dan

Dottie Grillo was hired as our part-time church secretary. The office was run on an IBM Selectric Typewriter. Remember those? We eventually transitioned from the old “IBM Selectric” to a “mini-computer typewriter” in the early 1990’s.  Finally we made it into the computer age with a computer that John Rucker gave from his work.  We started humbly.  While I was the one pushing upgrades and advancements, Dottie was the one learning and making it happen.  She has been a hero as she transitioned from one stage to the next.

I receive several dozen bulletins each week, and I still work hard to make ours one of the best.  Dottie has made our bulletin happen for the last two dozen years.  Dottie is now spread way too thin, working way too many hours (certainly more hours than she gets paid for) and as our church has grown she has just taken on more and more responsibilities.  She needed to give up something, but she does it all so well.  Her choice to let go of the bulletin surprises me, but I trust her decision and am relieved that she will be able to devote more time to other demanding jobs.  She keeps our church offices running like clockwork.  She will now be able to find some breathing room.  Thank you, Dottie, for your pursuit of excellence in putting together our church bulletin for the last two dozen years.  You have set a very high standard! 

Welcome Katherine, our new bulletin person, 
Dan

Make no mistake about it, the gospel is powerful.  Do not be ashamed of it.  It will save (Rom. 1:16).  It moves people from a life of sin and rebellion to a life of purity and godly obedience.

The powerful gospel also takes people who have lived a good life and helps them to live a better life. 
...So, Kathy Ashton goes to Peru to serve on a Medical Mission Team.
...So a team of 33 Americans head off to do manual labor for ten days at a Christian camp in France.
...So Tim Davis leads a group of teens to Portland, Maine to conduct a VBS and work hard serving.
...So Aaron Pearl gathers a group of Christians to serve 6th and 7th graders at Camp Manatawny.
...So Manny Vander Vennen gathers another group of Christians to serve 1st and 2nd graders at Camp.
...So dedicated Christian people give $900,000, above and beyond their regular weekly contributions of $1.2 million in the last thirty two months.

Wow, the gospel is POWERFUL!  It transforms sinners and makes “good people” more Christ like. 

-Dan

I have never been a big basketball fan.  I was just plain to short, and too slow; so I never excelled in basketball.  But I love watching the fast-paced action, especially a full-court press.  Nothing is more exciting than a well designed full-court press.

Right now our church is pressing on!  Last fall we did “pause” in our Expansion effort.  We did not stop, we just paused.  Since our pause, both interest rates and building costs have dropped significantly.  We also reduced the total square footage of our new building to 28,000 feet. All of that happened as the financial support for our new building continued to come in on a steady basis. There were two $1 for $1 matching gift offers, both of which are being fully taken advantage of.  We are pressing on! We are, as the Hebrew writer urged, “running with endurance the race that is set before us” (12:1).

The next step is our ground-breaking ceremony on Sunday, August 30th at 2:00 PM, immediately after our picnic in the park.  Meet at 500 Pitman Road for the celebration.  We are pressing on.

Exciting days,
Dan

At the Pitman church, on the Sunday morning of Aaron and Tim’s week of camp I mentioned that we now had some idea of how Pharaoh felt when Israel exited Egypt.  It felt pretty empty, didn’t it?  So how many of us were gone?  Sherri Herndon says, “By my count we had 44 Staff and Junior Staff at Jr. High 1 week and 11 campers.” We gave a lot.

But it was worth it—16 baptisms!  There were 13 baptisms during the camp week.  Since then, we know of an additional 3 baptisms.  Three of those baptisms are our own kids, Jenna DeStefano was baptized on Thursday night of camp, Alissa Tiszkus was baptized on Sunday morning here, and Brandon Holmes was baptized on Wednesday night here.  I am rejoicing with these “born again” teens, their parents, and the angels in heaven.

And we’re still not done for the summer! Starting next week, Manny Vander Vennen is directing Elementary 1.  Again, a crew of our servant-hearted members will be there making a difference.  Our Sunday attendance will drop a bit, but we are making a huge difference in kid’s lives at Camp!  It’s worth the sacrifice.

-Dan

That has been the prayer request on the bottom of page two inside our bulletin for many months.  But look inside on page two of this bulletin.  It now reads…
“Pray for our utility hook ups. Ask God to direct the sale of our building.”

We’re making progress.  Our Reaching out in Faith journey has been covered by prayer since DAY 1!  The progress continues and the prayers continue.  It has been amazing to witness what God is doing, in His time and not in our time!  Yes, as predicted, there have been bumps, detours and surprises; but God continues to direct us.  And we’re trusting His timing, even when we don’t fully understand it.

Our most recent milestone is that we have a date for our Ground-Breaking Ceremony!  We will gather together at our new property on Sunday, August 30th after our fifth Sunday picnic at Alcyon Park.  After the picnic, we will drive to the new property and celebrate. God is faithful.  Keep on praying and He’ll keep on answering.  – Dan

I could be bragging on two of our deacons, Aaron Pearl and Tim Davis today, because they are up at Camp Manatawny serving as co-directors for Jr. High I Week of camp.  Or I could be bragging on other deacons (Mike B., Dave P., Bud B. and Chuck O.) because those four deacons are also up at camp working for the week.  But I am not bragging on any of those guys. I could be, but I’m not. Rather, today…

I am bragging on another deacon, Rich Rinne.  Rich and his loyal wife, Joann, have coordinated our Wednesday night meals through another entire cycle, Sept.-June.  This past Wednesday night they threw their annual appreciation dinner for all those who’ve hosted a Wednesday night dinner.  Hosting a meal for 100 people is a big deal.  If you have done it, you know what I mean.

So, Wednesday after Wednesday, all school year long, the Rinne’s see that we have meals served.  That is huge!  How would you like to be yoked with the responsibility of serving 100 people every Wednesday?  Way to go, Rich and Joann.  W

e all appreciate you,
Dan