Well, it seems many of you didn't receive notification of our last newsletter. I tried something new in the notification letter, and added a graphic at the head of the letter. Well, some browsers wouldn't accept that, so some folks didn't receive the notification. I'm sorry about that, and won't do it again. If, however, you ever fail to receive notification about the newsletter, I always post a link to the newsletter on the church bbs and on the newsletter archive page, so you can always view the newsletter by going through those links also.

Those who did read the last newsletter will remember that I said I hoped to be able to announce in this edition that our membership had reached 300 members. I'm very pleased to announce that, as of this writing, we've reached 307 members! I'm also very, very pleased to announce that we have our first member in The Netherlands! So now we have members in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, England, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Hungary, Kuwait, and the Netherlands!

Your pastor has been hard at work on the church web site the past few weeks. I've added our church doctrinal statement to the site, with a link on the front page. I think everyone will agree with the statement as it is now worded. One note, I do state in the doctrinal statement that our church believes in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have that in there because I, personally, believe in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I realize that our church has members from many different denominations, though, and some don't recognize all the gifts, for instance, the gift of tongues. That's okay. This is not an issue that affects membership in any way. No member will ever be asked to accept any gift which goes against their own denominational beliefs, and membership in our church will never hinge on such acceptance. The only requirement for membership in our church, now or in the future, is that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is what unites us in His Body, and this shall remain the main message of our church. Let us not allow denominational differences to interfere with this wonderful work.

I have also just recently completely redesigned all of the printed materials available from our church on the Credentials Catalogue Page. I think you'll find the new designs even more attractive than the older ones. These materials are made available as part of the equipping ministry of this church, to better help our members and ordained clergy to create and pursue their own ministries. Also, since our church does not require tithes of its members, this also provides a way for members to help support our church. As you all know, the ISP bill doesn't pay itself. *S*

Another new feature on our church web site is the ability to receive a free web-based e-mail account through our church and Mr. Post. You'll find the registration link on the front page of our site. I checked out the service, and it has some great features, so, if you need an extra e-mail account, check it out. Another feature I had added briefly was an interactive concordance called "What The Bible Says About...". Unfortunately, the server for that service seems to have gone down, so I removed it for the time being. As soon as I find the server is back up and running, I'll add it again, and you'll find it right under the e-mail account link.

I've also been doing what I can to insure the web site loads quickly on all browsers. This has meant shrinking some of the graphics on the site just a bit, and converting others to .gif files, but I think you'll find the page loading fairly quickly now. Also, the weekly fellowship chat sessions (Monday evenings, 8pm to 10pm Eastern in the church chat room) are now designated the official weekly worship services of our church. The format will be as follows: 8pm - I open the service with prayer, whether anyone else is there yet or not. 8 - 9:45pm, prayer requests will be taken from members and visitors. 9:45 - 10pm, prayers will be offered on those prayer requests. As always, fellowship and chat will take place throughout the session. Unfortunately, chat rooms don't lend themselves to sermons, so we won't have any "official" sermon. However, there should be plenty of praise, fellowship, and discussion. I trust that our chat sessions/worship services will continue to be a great time of fellowship among our members and visitors, just as it always has been.

On a personal note, I request that you all keep me in your prayers. Near constant use of the computer has caused me to injure my elbow (the doc called it "mouse elbow"). I did get it treated, and should have stopped using the computer for a few days to let it heal. But, of course, I have to lead the chat sessions and maintain the considerable correspondence of this ministry, and as a result, the injury not only didn't heal but has returned. So, please, keep me in your prayers that my elbow will heal and that I'll regain the full use of my right arm. Our Lord is an Awesome Healer, Amen? Amen!

Well, brothers and sisters, that's going to do it for this edition of the church newsletter. Keep up the great work, all of you. As always, you remain in my prayers at all times, and my love goes out to each of you. May Our Lord's richest blessings fill your every moment and meet your every need. God bless you.

Yours in Christ,
Brother Dave