First United Methodist Church Rev. Dennis Ticen 2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368 (219) 762-3846
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The Witness Issue II
February 2015
“State of the Church” It’s that time of year again, when presidents, governors and mayors take the time to tell us what life is like all around us—in our nation, state and city. While many may pay no attention to such speeches, they are still important because it forces our leaders to reflect on the past year, to see where we have been so that we can know where we need to go. The same is true in the church, and so I’ve periodically taken to sharing information with you, our Portage First family, about the “state of the church” about the time we are doing our year-end reports for the Annual Conference. Where have we been? And where are we going? First of all, let’s remember what our mission is. We are “becoming a community where all people encounter Jesus Christ.” We do that by increasingly “loving God, loving others and offering Jesus.” That means any measure of our church’s “success” or “failure” must rest on whether or not people are coming to know Jesus and no other factor. Are we doing what we are called to do and being who we are called to be? No one will deny that last year was a difficult one, though I doubt that over our 180-year history it could be called “the most difficult.” We found ourselves saying goodbye to people we loved, whether through death, moving away or a choice to depart. There were significant changes that happened, and some of those are still working themselves out. There was conflict and there were misunderstandings. But there was also love and encouragement and a strengthening of our resolve to be faithful to our mission. We fed children through the backpack program. We made a difference in Africa and locally with our Christmas Candlelight offering. We opened up the opportunity for new ministries and new people to serve. We began a prison ministry. We had a great Alpha class and wonderful Journey 101 classes. We welcomed a total of 27 new members, 21 of which were by “profession of faith.” We had more pledge cards turned in during our Generosity campaign than we’ve had before. And so much more. God has been faithful, and God has been (as he always is) good. Yes, we’ve had our struggles. Yes, there is much work to do. But, remember, this is not about us. It’s not my church or your church or anyone’s church but God’s. As we rededicate ourselves to serving him first this year, I believe he will continue to bless and lead us through our 180th year and into a future filled with hope. And that, my friends, is the state of the church as I see it. I’ll see you Sunday at the hopeful place! Pastor Dennis
Happy February Birthday to… 02 03 04 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 07 07 08 09 10
Cheryl Hamilton Jake Hidalgo Jeane Chelich Paul Peterson Nada Romanov Shelby Ford Dolores Wineinger Jack Lenburg Nicholas Zeitler Brooke Jackson Tod Blakely Eddie Karsten Fred Blakely Annette McCarty Madelyn Blakely
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Bob Romanov Sharon Kaiser Bill Liesch Brecca Phillips Beth Novak Michael Willis Becky Rubens Frani Zeitler Trudy Cunningham Ron Mauer Lillian Harbart Larry Fingerhoot Kaitlyn Adkins Tony Centracchio Allen Long
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Mark Long Lerryn Darnell Shannon Liesch Amanda Highlands Jayne Mantz Amanda Peterson Scott Conner Leigh Coffey Betty Evensen Allison Centracchio Mike Hopkins Don Kremke Henry Ryan