Well, after the big announcement last newsletter about switching to a new bulletin board, we have actually returned to the one we were using before. The server for it came back up, and the posters on the bbs voiced their desire to return to it. So, if you need to update your booksmarks again, visit our bbs, and drop us a line while you're there.

I've been staying pretty busy with a new ministry I've started here in the Augusta, Georgia area. It's called Augusta Street Ministries, and it's an outreach to the homeless in our area. The purpose of our ministry is to collect used bibles, blankets and clothing and redistribute them to the homeless in the area. Things are looking very promising for this new ministry. The local "shopper" newspaper has agreed to run our classified ad free of charge. The ad asks people to donate their old bibles for ministering to the homeless. I visited the local Christian radio station, and recorded an announcement about the ministry, and again asked people to donate their used bibles. I have also printed up some flyers and taken them around to a number of the local churches, and they have agreed to post the flyer on their bulletin boards. So far, there has been a positive response. This Sunday morning, we'll be taking sack lunches and tracts and Bibles to the homeless areas and passing them out. Each sack lunch will have a sandwich, a fruit drink, some chips, a paper napkin, and a disposable razor and toothbrush. Of course, each lunch will have a tract as well, and we'll be passing out bibles to anyone who'll take one. I'm very excited about this new ministry, and it's bringing a special joy and blessing to me. As it says in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;" Praise God!

It occured to me recently that, since so many of our members are ordained clergy, and all of you are called to minister in one way or another, that the church newsletter should start reflecting more the needs of our membership. So, as much as possible, I'll try and have something specifically for our ministers, to help them in their evangelical efforts, in each issue.. Of course, I recently posted the Minister's Gif for our clergy to print up and sign for themselves. Keep this as a reminder of your duties and your service to Our Lord. I'd like to include in this issue a link to a collection of benedictions, which I think any minister would find useful to have memorized. These Benedictions For Memorization have been published on the church school site, but I wanted to include them here to reach a greater number of you. I feel that all ministers, especially active ministers, should have at least a few benedictions memorized for use whenever possible.

I'd like to invite everyone to be sure and join our chat session/worship services on Monday evening from 8pm-10pm eastern. Learn about the ministries of our other members, and meet some helpful and knowledgable brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, be sure on visit our bbs for various discussions. And if you have something you'd like to share about your ministry, please do - you'll not find a better group of clergy ministering on the internet than the one you'll find posting on our bbs. Let us share our experience and knowledge with one another, and better glorify God in doing so.

Remember to keep in prayer those members of our church who are suffering from illness or handicap, or experiencing hardship or trouble. Let us pray that our Lord's peace and comfort be with them during their difficult times. Let us also remember to lift up one another in prayer, and to keep this fellowship in your prayers as well. Please know that each of you remains in my prayers at all times.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious upon thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Yours in Christ,
Brother Dave