LETTER FROM THE D.S.

Dear Friends,

What a joy it was for Cheryl and me to be with you on Sunday.

Here are our observations from our time together:
  • You are a joyful bunch.  We surely enjoyed being with you and sensed your warmth.
  • We believe the future is bright.  We believe God wants to do something remarkable through Culpeper Hope Community
  • I was very impressed with the spirit and capabilities of your board members. For example let me cite two examples: Dick Coleman is an excellent treasurer.  I wish we had more treasurers just like him all across the district!   Oliver "Eddie" Edwards is a fantastic Church Board secretary.
  • For me it was a joy to preach in the worship service.  It felt to me that the Spirit of the Lord was with us and that God was speaking to our hearts during the service.  For me, one of the best moments was to hear you sing the phrase of the final song, "oh, for grace to trust HIM more."  We are all praying for more grace.
  • Finances:  God has blessed the church with a little reserve and the leaders have spent judiciously.  We aim to take care of all of our apportionments and keep all bills current and focus on the mission Jesus has for us in Culpeper.
  • Culpeper Hope Community Church has you! You are a tremendous resource, more than you can probably imagine. You have been so faithful and I have confidence that God wants to reward your faithfulness.  
  • Cheryl and I have discovered that we will be able to schedule additional visits in Culpeper.  At this moment we hope to join with you in the worship services for one of the Sunday's in February, March and April. More on that as plans develop. 
Could I take the opportunity to challenge us one of the most important items we can do right now as a Church: Prayer!   Oswald Chambers wrote: "Prayer is not preparation for the work of ministry, prayer is the work of ministry."

My challenge to you is to pray with me along the following prayer lines:
1.  Pray that God will provide wisdom to the District Superintendent and your Church Board in the choices for the future of the church.
2.  Pray that even during these days of transition that God would send us five new families to the church family.
3.  Pray that when a new family comes to the church that we would be open, welcoming and friendly.
4.  Pray that God will give us an opportunity in the next few days to focus on others in some special way.  I have learned that the best way forward for any church is to look to the needs of others and to help them.  Pray with me that God will help us make sure our eyes are on the harvest around us.
5.  Pray that God will continue to provide for the finances of the church.  
6.  Pray that God will give us ways to outreach.  What outreach ideas has God placed on your heart.
We will write more later.  We count it a joy to be in partnership with you in the faith!

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Phil Fuller, Superintendent
Virginia District Church of the Nazarene

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