It’s really here – the end of one year (I was just getting used to writing 2009) and the beginning of the next -2010! Some of us weren’t sure if we’d ever live to see such a date in our lifetime. I remember as a young boy wondering what it would be like to see the turn of a new millennium. Of course, I didn’t know a word that BIG, but 2000 seemed forever away – now it’s a decade in the past. Life moves on. Change is the constant except with God! He never changes because He doesn’t need to grow. As His creation, we must change to grow! As I shared at our Charge Conference in early December, we’ve had a good year at First Church, but we’re expecting an even better one in 2010! We hosted our largest Confirmation Class in years, added 42 new members, became a host site for the OKC Homeless Breakfast and Whiz Kids in cooperation with Church on the Rock, took VBS “On the road” to the McKee Center, and celebrated our 120th Anniversary in the same month as Palm Sunday, Easter and the OKC Marathon! Wow!

We also said “good-bye” to long term staff members, Terri Morton and Jennie Leininger, to pursue other opportunities. As 2009 draws to a close, we now must also add Lee Cody, Ellen Howard, and Lisa Dobson to that list. Each has served us and our Lord very well, often doing more than their initial job required. It is with much regret that we can no longer fund their positions, as we have in the past. After much prayer and soul-searching, our Staff Parish Relations Committee shared this difficult news two months ago with each one, to give adequate opportunity to secure new employment. I am pleased to hear that God has been faithful to provide new, good job opportunities for Lee and Lisa and I believe Ellen plans to spend some more time at home! Also after prayer and discussion, the SPRC made a decision to hire a part-time Children’s Director, Sara Hurston, and a new part-time Worship Leader, rather than to fill full-time positions. We all have to tighten our belts in these present economic times to be good stewards of God’s resources. The church is no different. As I shared Sunday, I believe we’re now in the best financial condition we’ve been in six years in terms of our 2010 budget. We’re trusting God and seeking to be faithful to Him in all things. Thanks to each of you who have stepped up your support of Jesus and His Kingdom through First Church!

I’m pleased to take this quick opportunity to announce our new Worship Leader, Steven Grantham. Steven is an ORU Graduate and is married to Hillary. They have two daughters: Elizabeth (7) and Allison (4). Steven served as Worship Leader/Associate Pastor at Victory Church here in OKC from 2001- August 2009. Please be sure to welcome Steven and his family as they become part of the First Church family.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Have a Blessed, Healthy and Happy New Year!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. To the 116 of you who braved the elements on Sunday (including my family from Tulsa), God bless you for your spirit of adventure!

P.S.S. If you missed worship on Sunday, all contributions credited for 2009 must be in by noon tomorrow, December 31, 2009. Thanks!