Dear First Family,

I just looked at my calendar and can’t believe that we’ve got Thanksgiving staring us in the face in just a week.  Where’s the time going?  I’ve had my turn signal on for some time, trying to get out of the fast lane and at least get a chance to enjoy the beauty around me.  So, being able to sit down and write out a few thoughts is nice.  Let me brief you on a few items, and then I’ll close with a personal thought.

FLOOD UPDATE – As you are aware, we had a terrible misfortune happen on November 4, when a water line separated and pumped thousands of gallons of water into both the new building, and the existing building.  The teams of people who showed up and “jumped in” were tremendous.Contractors, church people, Day School workers, custodians, and staff combined to get things under control and cleaned up.  Serve Pro Restoration, along with Efficient Carpet Cleaning, both did an outstanding job of rapidly getting the existing building usable for Sunday.  WAY TO GO!  Since that time the walls have been dried out, floor coverings are going down, work continues to progress and we move forward.  When will we be able to occupy?   Great question.  We hope within the next week or two. Thanks for your incredible patience and fantastic flexibility.  You guys are AMAZING!

700 CLUB – After last Sunday’s message and challenge, I’ve been tagged as having my own 700 Club.  What does that mean?  Well, if you were here, you remember that I walked us through the financial picture of the new building, along with the remaining needs of remodeling the children’s area in the existing building.  We’ve come 90% of the way with our project.  Our cost for this project has been $5.5 million from the beginning.  It still remains $5.5 million.  All we need to do now is underwrite the remaining 10% - $550,000.  I shared that we could do this quite easily if all of us will get on board.  We need 700 people to give $32 dollars per month for 24 months, and it will be covered.  The BENEFIT is that this enables us to keep the construction project going and we can get it wrapped up, move the children to their new area, avail new classroom space for our small groups and classes, and make the total facility much more enjoyable and user friendly.  If you weren’t able to be with us Sunday, I really need you to be one of the 700 who enable us to FINISH STRONG.  AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE 150.  Let’s pray that God will help us to wipe out this remaining 10%.

RAY VANDERLAAN – FEBRUARY 4-6, 2011 – As you know, with Ray’s accident, he had to reschedule.  Our new dates of February 4-6 will be here before we know it.  If you held on to your ticket, it’s covered.  Tickets will be available in just a few more days, same cost ($25), same schedule.  Would you put this on your calendar and save these important dates?  This is a weekend you’re not going to want to miss!

THE SUNDAYS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER – This Sunday we’re going to have a chance to really appreciate our GREAT VOLUNTEERS.  We’re calling it  HEROES.  It’s going to be a great morning.  The last Sunday of November is actually the first Sunday of ADVENT.  I’ll be launching our new Series:  CHRISTMAS – WHERE HEAVEN MEETS EARTH.  December provides tremendous opportunities for outreach.  Why not INVITE someone to the Ladies Christmas Dessert, the Christmas musical, the Sundays of December, or even the Christmas Eve service?  Each of these will be a fantastic experience for anyone who attends.  Don’t miss the season that launched our relationship with Jesus.  You’ll be amazed how open people will be to your warm invitation.

Let me close by telling you how grateful I am for each of you.  Every time I sit down to write the church family, I have so many faces flash through my mind, and I’m thankful for every one of you!  We have a tremendous future together.  It’s a new season for Salem First. Let’s live close to God and each other.  Let’s include those who have yet to know Him.  Let’s join God where He’s at work around us. Jerri and I, along with the rest of the staff, pray regularly for you.  Thanks for being such a great church family!

All My Love,

Pastor Dave

P.S.  Please remember that you will have an opportunity to give a special THANKSGIVING OFFERING FOR WORLD MISSIONS this Sunday.  What you give really makes a difference for the Kingdom.