State of The Church Report

Welcome to all of you to the 2022-2023 the annual meeting and state of the church Sunday.

In accordance with Section 516 Article 7 of the Manual of The Church of The Nazarene, which states: The Pastor shall “Submit a report to the annual church meeting, including a report on the status of the local church and its departments, and outline areas of future needs for study and/or implementation.”

Thus, I respectfully submit my report on the State of Amazing Grace Church of The Nazarene for your consideration.

When I think of a church fulfilling its place in building the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians

Chair Bible pg. 783

Ephesians 4:11–16 NASB 2020

11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

This was the main vision for Amazing Grace in the last church year. We began thinking and envisioning a church that would grow deep, grow wide, and make an impact.

These three areas of the vision were incorporated into the DNA of the ministries of Amazing Grace.

This has led to all of us deepening our relationship with God and one another, widening our inviting people to small groups and church events, leading to a greater impact in the community.

God has allowed us to remind the community that Amazing Grace is still here, thriving, and excited for the Kingdom of God. The video we played earlier gave a testimony to the movements of God, to the hard work of our ministry leaders and the volunteers who work beside them.

New to Amazing Grace last year was VBS, Campout, and Caravan. These ministries saw visitors from the community come and get introduced to Amazing Grace and the loving people of this church.

Last year when I announced that we would start Caravan God began working on Edie McAlavy’s heart and she is about to finish her first year as ministry leader of Caravan. They have 11 regular kids who attend every week ranging from 4-11. In her report Edie says, “We love your kids and love sharing Jesus with them.”

VBS was fully staffed months in in advance of the July event. We all had a blast in the sanctified chaos of a week long VBS. Thank you to all our volunteers and Sharon for her leadership.

Campout saw families of our church come together, thank you to the volunteers who worked and those who stepped up in my absence as I recovered from Covid.

It is my pleasure to report to you that all ministries are open and given a budget to work with. This is a testimony to your generosity in tithing and giving of time. Listen to the movements of God in the fun things reported from our ministries:

Clothing Ministry:

There were three community Giveaways last year that saw 261 visitors.

Clothing was taken to the homeless sleep center 3 times

Clothing was given to children of the Head Start program in college place.

Sandy attends a community Partner meeting each month that includes 9 other community organizations along with Amazing Grace.

That is impact Sandy Wingfield!

Ambassador Highlights:

22 Team Members served at the doors, Welcome Desk, and Gathering Grounds

Leadership change:  Sierra Hogan will lead the Foyer Ambassadors;

Sharon Gowdy will lead the Gathering Grounds Ambassadors

Carolyn Friesen change in leadership shows growth and leadership!

WoG (Women of Grace):

District Retreat in Post Falls attended by ten of our ladies

Local mini-retreat entitled "How Does Your Garden Grow" and Birthright baby shower

MOG (Men of Grace):

Mens Fast Food Break - 20 attended; some were visitors to Amazing Grace

Sweets Baseball Game

Men’s Breakfast saw 10-15 attended

Meal served at Christian Aid Center

This is possible because of the leadership of Ben Jackson and Shane Miller.

Souled Out Youth

Participation in worship service and Amazing Grace Ensemble

Breakthrough a district event attended by our teens

They helped with VBS

District Summer Camp saw 9 attend!

This is from a heart of leaders for these teens! Thank you Tim and Sarah Wik.

Amazing Grace Children’s Ministries has two leaders - Edie McAlavy Caravan, and Sharon Gowdy Children’s Pastor Sunday and all other children events.

I already shared from Edie, So here are highlights from Pastor Sharon:

Involvement of kids in Sunday worship and special Church services.

VBS was a tremendous success and she is currently organizing and planning another for this year.

Swimming event from August

Booth at Spring Fling with Bike Trike

For impact they collected 50 lbs of food for Christian Aid Center

The Children collect money to support a child in Zimbabwe.

The children prepared and sent 10 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Children’s ministry is a ministry that is growing deep, growing wide, and maes an impact thank you Edie and Sharon.

Worship:

Brought back the collection of Tithes and offerings

Worship leaders involved actively in working with Sharon Gowdy on Sunday during Children’s church

Brought in different instrumentalists and added new singers

Brought back traditional elements of communion.

The leaders are Sarah Wik, Pam Smith, Eric Aeschliman, and Sally Tuttle on special occasions.

Tracy Hartwig is our leader for Fellowship Hall and Kitchen. I want to thank Tracy and her team Paul Hartwig, Greg and Sandy Cuff, Ross and Carol Andersen for all their hard work in preparing the Fellowship as we were finally able to reopen it after Covid shut down ad the winter pipe break causing the water damage.

God get’s all the glory. Each of these ministries has a more details in their reports inside the booklet.

This is what it looks like when a church is equipping and deploying the gifts of people in ministry.

When I think of an example of a thriving kingdom minded church I think of the early church in Acts 4. Chair bible pg. 732

Acts 4:32–35 NASB 2020

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

This is an example we at Amazing Grace seek to immolate. A church of Disciples making disciples, who live in authentic community, having a desire to love God and Love people. A church of outward signs of inward change.

A lot has changed at Amazing Grace in this last year. There are outward signs of that Change. We upgraded our sound and tech last year. The Sanctuary and Foyer got new carpet and fresh paint. We can now turn our focus to the Children’s area and fellowship hall on the Eastside. The remaining upgrades in the sanctuary lights, projection screen, new banner will be finished soon. Outward signs of inward change glory to God.

God has been faithful in bringing the tithes into the storehouse as you heard in the treasurer report. In our plan for this year we were able to expand our budget. As part of that we have hired a custodian Brady Seeliger, a one time Attender of Sould Out Youth. We are currently searching for a part-time worship leader and I would ask that you join me prayer for God to send the right person to fill this position.

All of this is possible because of your generosity in tithes and offerings, and the giving of your time and talent to volunteer. As your pastor I want to thank you.

I also want to thank the leaders in all the ministries of Amazing Grace and their volunteers who work behind the scenes in the events that happened last year.

I want to thank the board of Amazing Grace. The 2022-2023 board worked really well and hard together and got a great deal done. There is still more to do! They gave me advice and guidance as we sought to follow God’s lead during the year. I look forward to working with the 2023-2024 board.

Shane leaves the board I thank Shane for taking the role of secretary of the board even though you were volunteered and voted in because you were absent. I have enjoyed working with you.

There is an excitement here at Amazing Grace as we seek to build an authentic community of believers who love God and love people. The atmosphere this creates is this is home and family, truly. I am excited for what God has planned for us in this new year.

God bless you and God bless Amazing Grace!

Let us pray.