2003 Annual Report – Pastor Rick Sherrill

“But this is the Lord’s reply: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws of night and day, of earth and sky.” Jeremiah 33:25

The bottom line of Christianity is simply that God is faithful to us. Even when we decide to go our own way, he never rejects us. Even when we don’t know which way to go, he continues to point the way. Everything in our life can change – our jobs, our houses, our friends, our churches, even our health – but God never does. He loves us from our first breath to our last.

This truth has been immensely comforting to me as 2003 unfolded. This past year we have made tough decisions about our budget, refinanced our mortgage, undertaken ambitious renovation projects, learned how to use video in our sanctuary, continued the process of revamping our children’s and youth ministry and waved goodbye to our lead pastor. Through it all we have worked hard to be a more welcoming community.

Bethel’s greatest strength is also our greatest weakness. We care for one another so well that we have a tendency to become closed off to new people. My heart has been warmed numerous times in the past year when many of you have taken the initiative to invite and welcome new people to Bethel. In 2004 we will welcome a new lead pastor and many more new people. I urge you to open your homes, your hearts and your lives to them. We are in transition, but God remains faithful.

Here are my highlights of 2003:

§ 40 sermons composed (28 preaching Sundays, 6 special services, 2 Wednesday Night Worships, 2 memorial services) – a total of 85 preaching opportunities

§ Transition of confirmation/Junior High ministry into an integrated ministry

§ Creation and implementation of Wednesday Night Youth Worship (with Tom Hoegel & Katlynn Hoegel)

§ The beginning of the Visual Connection era and the stark realization that we have much to learn

§ A high rate of growth in our children’s ministry, including a revamped 4^th-6^th grade program

§ A wonderfully successful Vacation Bible School reaching over 175 kids and 45 adults/teenage workers

§ Creation and implementation of the 1st annual Renewal of Marriage Vows Worship Service and Valentine’s Day Dinner

§ Led 18 Junior High students and 3 adults on the Rock-N-Water summer camp

§ Creation and leadership of worship services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve

§ Planned and led 2 junior high weekend retreats

§ An increased emphasis on school/church relations including numerous classroom visits

§ Development and implementation of worship information protocol

§ Provided increased support to the nominating committee, the church council and the executive committee during this time of transition

I am deeply thankful to Bethel for the support you have given me in 2003. Your kind words and definitive actions have helped keep our momentum going. I am especially thankful to the church council for making the bold decision to move forward with our welcome zone projects in the midst of Pastor Jim’s departure.

Here are some of my goals for 2004:

§ Work with the Vacation Bible School leadership team to reorganize this year’s experience to include an upgraded 4-6^th grade program led by a team from Mt. Cross

§ Create a baptism information packet and an upgraded process for baptism counseling sessions

§ Create an integrated wedding packet and upgrade Bethel’s profile in the community as a wedding destination so as to increase our ministry to younger people

§ Begin to plan for a 3-week mission to Africa in the summer of 2005

§ Create a junior high youth committee to help plan and lead events

§ Continue to tweak our junior high ministry and 9^th grade confirmation program

§ Visit every Bethel School classroom at least 2 times

§ Lead over 25 students on the Rock-N-Water summer camp

§ Help plan and lead the “40 Days of Purpose” program in October and November

§ Move Bethel to become a “teaching center” for the use of visuals in worship

§ Welcome a new lead pastor and ease the transition to a new era at Bethel

Here’s to a year filled with the one-of-a-kind inspiration that comes from being in contact with Jesus Christ.