In recent weeks several people (both members and people from afar) have asked me, “Are you guys going to build a new church building or plant a new church? And, if you are building a new church building, why are you going to a church planting seminar?”  Assumptions frequently lead to big misunderstandings.

Actually, we are doing both!  Let me explain.  Our immediate goal and pressing challenge is building a new church building.  (By the way, financing charges and building materials have dropped significantly over the last twelve months. Thank you, God!)  We hope to break ground on that major project later this year.  So, yes, we are building a new building to seat 400 to 500.

But later, we are planning to plant a new congregation once we fill that new auditorium.  The church plant will come in God’s time, likely several years from now, and we’ve attended the Church Planting Workshop so that we are prepared for that when the time comes.  A new building is our short-term objective and a new church plant is our long-term goal.        - Dan                  

Religion has a bad rep these days.  Deservedly so!  Too much religion is filled with hypocrisy!  ...with “political correctness!”  ... and with excessive emphasis on money. 

But, pure religion is another matter.  Pure religion takes care of orphans and widows.  Pure religion practices pure, clean, moral living.  Pure religion is not contaminated by the world (James 1:27). 

Where can I find pure religion?  Right here at this church.  The body of believers that call themselves the Pitman Church of Christ and meet at 115 East Holly Avenue is serious about practicing pure religion.  We are not perfect, but we are serious about taking care of widows and others who are easily overlooked.  We are a group of individuals who are concerned about moral living.

Remember this my friends, our world is attracted to a church that practices pure religion.  Desperately wanting to be pure and practice pure religion!
-Dan                    

From the first time I met him in the late 1980’s, his health was in decline.  Declining health in his autumn years would make many a man hard and bitter.  Not Lee!  In fact, it was his deteriorating health that ultimately helped turn him back to God.  Praise God.  He grew old gracefully!

I admired Lee Smith…
-for his unspeakable sacrifices for my freedom.
-for looking out for orphaned Japanese children.
-for honoring his marriage vows, no matter what.
-for financially providing for his family.
-for investing time in his kids and grandkids.
-for volunteering time as a Boy Scout leader.
-for being concerned about forgiveness of sins.
-for coming back to church after he had strayed.
-for not loving money, and supporting our church.
-for his delightful sense of humor, to the very end.

What will people remember about you and me when we are gone? I’m deciding right now!
Dan

I simply love the fact that there is always something buzzing at our church building.  Last week-end a bus load of our teens and adults attended Winterfest in TN.  This past Friday night Congregation B’Nai Tikvah met in our building.  Bobby Ross from The Christian Chronicle is visiting with us this week-end (and may be doing a story on us); and Steve is finishing our enlightening series of sermons on Nehemiah.  Today we begin our Spring Quarter, and our new Wednesday night Spring Quarter begins this week. A new set of teachers and classes for everyone!  Wow.

This coming week-end we show Fireproof at 6:00 on Friday and Saturday nights; and kick off our series of sermons on marriage at both the early and late worship assemblies.  And, John Mark Hicks shares a message, “I Will Change Your Name,” with our whole church during the 9:30 Bible Class period next Sunday. Also one week from tonight four of our LIFE Groups begin the special small group discussion on “Fireproofing Your Marriage.” Never a dull moment!  I see our church as a place to “Spur one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

Go Jesus!  Go Church! 
Dan                    

Never, not in 1,000 years, would I have expected to see the above line in my church bulletin.  But, there it is!  We are showing Fireproof next week on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 6th and 7th, at 6:00pm. I’m encouraging you to join me there. 

Why?  In a sentence, we are showing Fireproof because we consider the movie an excellent way to strengthen all marriages.  And at this church, we want to be on record as a church that supports marriage for both the churched and the non-churched.

What can you do to help make this event a success?
1. Pray every day for this unique outreach.
2. Attend Friday or Saturday night, or both.
3. Invite ten friends, neighbors and co-workers.
4. Help provide child-care services.
5. Help serve and clean up refreshments.

Katherine and I watched Fireproof at the theater.  We bumped into Mike and Tina there.  I leaned over to Katherine and said, “We need to show this at our church.”  And now, we’re doing it!

God amazes me,
Dan

The winner to last week’s question: “What one thing does the following, exclusive, list of Pitman members have in common?” is: Neil!

Brittany Banks, Bud & Barbara Britton, Judi Campbell, Dan & Katherine, Rachel Cooper, Melody Davis, Debbie Durham, Lucy Fair, Tim & Kristi Hall, Jimmy & Clare Hightower, Cindy Holden, Larry & Bert Kellum, Elizabeth Lazar, Rebekah Lazar, Bob & Jerri Manfre, Anita O’Hara, Chuck & Andrea Olley, Aaron & Jen Pearl, Annette Perine, Rich & Joann Rinne, Barbara Robinson, Tye Rutledge, Jayne Schofield, Steve & Patti Sikes, Sandy Stetser, Tom & Melva Toy, Corny & Phyllis Walker, Harriet Wensel, Ray & Bonnie Wilson, and Mary Lea Thompson

The first correct answer was submitted by none other than NEIL FAIR!  Neil now owns his own copy of <u>The Blessing</u>! The correct answer is that each of the individuals listed above have helped to prepare, serve or clean up a Wednesday night meal since last September.  You, too, can be listed among this exclusive list who, as Neil says, “all have the spirit of cooking” by signing up to prepare a Wednesday night meal in the next three months!

Sign up before the slots are all filled,
Dan

What one thing does the following, exclusive, list of Pitman members have in common? The first correct response to my e-mail address wins a copy of <u>The Blessing</u>!

Brittany Banks, Bud & Barbara Britton, Judi Campbell, Dan & Katherine, Rachel Cooper,  Melody Davis, Debbie Durham, Lucy Fair, Tim & Kristi Hall, Jimmy & Clare Hightower, Cindy Holden, Larry & Bert Kellum, Elizabeth Lazar, Rebekah Lazar, Bob & Jerri Manfre, Anita O’Hara, Chuck & Andrea Olley, Aaron & Jen Pearl, Annette Perine, Rich & Joann Rinne, Barbara Robinson, Tye Rutledge, Jayne Schofield, Steve & Patti Sikes, Sandy Stetser, Tom & Melva Toy, Corny & Phyllis Walker, Harriet Wensel, Ray & Bonnie Wilson, and Mary Lea Thompson.

To win your own paperback copy of <u>The Blessing</u>, you must be the first correct response to my personal e-mail account!

Hint: Read 1 Cor. 12:3-13. 

I love this body of believers.  Twenty-four years and counting,
Dan

This past Sunday we studied Nehemiah as a vision caster.  I mentioned some past and some current “vision casters” at our church.  Jay and Sue’s trip to France in 2001 inspired greater congregational participation in France missions.  Carl Steiner planned the Tanzania Mission Trip in 2005 which focused us on the Great Commission anew.  That mission trip was followed up by our BIG trip to France with 21 workers in 2007. (Right now, 35 of us are signed up the France trip this June).  Steve’s vision for a Men’s Mentoring Group is unfolding.  Dwight is beginning a men’s mentoring group in Hammonton.  Jay’s vision to open the doors into the adult education curriculum at Clearview High School led to his “Spiritual Growth” course.  Here are a few other Pitman Visionaries:  Aaron’s auto repair workdays at Pearl’s Garage.  Robin’s children’s playgroups. Linda’s Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible study. Kareem’s “Feed My Sheep” and the “Church Without Walls” class.  Rachel’s reaching out to students at Rowan University via RCF.  And there are countless others.  Thank God for 21st Century Vision Casters. Who else would you name as a vision caster among us?

It is painful to even think about what I am about to tell you.  Those of you under 40 will have trouble believing this, but during my lifetime I remember seeing “Colored Bathroom” signs in America.  Pitiful!  Sickening! Disgraceful!  Shame on us! Those days are gone, thank God.  In those days, electing a black president was incomprehensible. Then this past Tuesday, Barack Obama, a black man became the 44th president of the United States of America.  I thank God that I was able to witness this monumental event.  America has come a long ways.  We still have a long way to go before we erase prejudice and inequity, and that is ultimately a moral issue, not a political one!  But last Tuesday was at least a symbolic step in demonstrating that we are addressing racial inequality!

However you voted on Nov. 4th, now is the time to set aside personal preferences and party affiliation and to obey Romans 13:1-7.  Furthermore, “I urge that entreaties, and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Praying for our new president, Dan the Preacherman

Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it!  And you, dear Pitman member, have blessed us again.  You give so much.  You give to feed the needy in Trenton; to our “Reaching Out in Faith” campaign; you give via regular weekly contributions; and now the Sikes and Cooper’s are the recipients of your generous giving again.  We are humbled.

Like many of you, Katherine and I have given more money to God these last two years than ever before.  We’re blessed to have been able to give like we have.  Did it hurt?  Yes.  Was it sacrificial?  Yes.  Did we do without?  Yes.  But it was so worth it, and I would not change a thing!  We intend to repeat this pattern of giving in 2009.  We feel blessed to be able to give.

Then last Sunday you blessed us again by extending your love via your generous Christmas gift.  As is our custom, we are doing some special work on our house to serve as a constant reminder of your love.  We’re sharing with our children.  Plus, we are giving “above and beyond” because of your gift.  We are able to treat ourselves, do some home improvements and give more to others.

Proud to serve you, Dan and Katherine

As we peek into 2009, I am wondering what God has in store for this church family.  There will be some disappointments as we are still living in a fallen world (Thanks, Adam and Eve!); but I’m also confident that God will provide us with some huge victories.  The biggest victory would be realized if Jesus would return a second time, for his grand finale.  But short of that…

In 2009 I believe this church will touch the lives of hurting and needy people like never before.  (The “Kids for Kids” program is our latest venture.)  In 2009 we will be a “Great Commission” church like never before.  We’ll continue our evangelistic outreach throughout Jersey to Tanzania, China and to France.  (We now have three dozen committed to the missionary trip to France this June.)  I believe our commitment to deepening “family values” will provide a front line attack on one of Satan’s favorite targets, my marriage and family—and yours, too.  Finally, I believe that 2009 is the year that we will break ground on our desperately needed new building. (It will become a place to aggressively minister in an expanded way.)  Finally, I’m out on this limb to tell you that God will use us to minister as never before in 2009.  - Dan

One of the most common complaints I hear about churches is the title of my article.  From people outside of church, and disgruntled church members, the constant accusation is that churches are greedy.  In many cases, the complaint is, unfortunately, justified.
<u>$100; $595; $8,254, and $660,000</u>
But in our church, when money is mentioned it is most commonly to thank individuals for their contributions to worthy causes.  Just this week, $100 was given to help feed folks in Trenton.  (And, if you don’t have money to give, why not give some time on Dec. 13th!)  $595 was just given to help a young Christian couple (former members) pay for formula for a premature baby.  And, $8,254 this week went to pay for five missionaries that we support, to support orphans, to pay for local ministry, and to keep our building warm and clean.  That huge $660,000 is what we have given to help pay (over the last two years) for our new building.  Our elders want minimal debt, so we can continue with a full slate of ministry, even when we move into our new building.  It is, indeed, more blessed to give than to receive

It’s amazing what God can do!  Kristi, her husband, Tim, and her mother were all baptized into Christ on Saturday, Sept. 13.  Kristi’s long-time friend wrote her the following message this past week. 

“I would just like to thank you for sharing with me your faith and your church.  When I got to your house Monday night and saw how you acted and the wonderful communication and thoughtfulness in the way you and Tim talked to each other, I was in awe.  The change in your mood…Kristi you were simply glowing.  I just knew you now have the true meaning of living the true way and taking this path to happiness and beauty, a world without judgment is most powerful.  I would love nothing more than to hear and meet some of the members.  As for going to church with you I know you will understand where I am coming from. I have to do things at my own pace. Finding the truth is one of the biggest parts of life.  For myself, my daughters, and future children we all need the truth.”

What a powerful testimony.  God is so good!

*LIFE Groups formally started* at our church in
March, 1996. *Glynn Durham* had conducted a week-end training seminar for us that January, and we formally began *LIFE* Group meetings with five Groups. This Sunday we begin the 2008 Fall Quarter with *13 LIFE* Groups. Praise God.
Just in case you have forgotten, *L.I.F.E*. is an acronym for the four-fold purpose of these weekly meetings: *L*ove,*I*nvolvement, *F*ellowship and *E*vangelism. If those four words are important in your life, you need to be an active part of a* LIFE* Group.
Three important reminders:
1) All *LIFE* Groups are open; that is to say you are not assigned to a group, but you can sign up for any group.
2) Once you make a commitment to a group, we ask that you continue with that group at least to the end of the year.
3) Ideally, there should be between ten and fifteen adults per group. With less than ten adults, the group can be discouraging; and with more than fifteen adults, the group loses some of its closeness and intimacy. The larger groups also make it more difficult for new people to find a spot. Starting today, add a* LIFE* Group to your life.

Today in Spokane, Washington in addition to celebrating the Lord’s resurrection from the grave, the Lee Cooper family gathered to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday!  Yesterday we celebrated my niece’s wedding.  Happy Days!  Family gatherings are important.  God designed family, and we want to be all over the celebration of Christian families.  All of us who gathered for these two celebrations are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as the risen son of God.  It is great to have the whole family together for a time of celebration and not for a funeral.
Speaking of family, I am excited about next Sunday for our church family here!  We are in for a treat!  Munchkin Ministry begins!  It is Promotion Sunday!  (We all begin together in the Auditorium at 9:30 for the Bible Class hour.)  LIFE Groups begin! We have 13 LIFE Groups to choose from this year.  And, Steve and I begin a new Sunday morning series of sermons from the book of James.