HIGH ATTENDANCE AND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

October 7, 2001

What a tremendous day we had this past Sunday. God really blessed us in both the morning and the evening. We had 105 in Sunday School surpassing our goal of 103! This is about a 40% increase over last year’s average Sunday School attendance. It demonstrates the great potential that we have to grow in fulfilling our Lord’s Great Commission. Thanks goes to Randy Jackson along with all of our teachers, leaders, members, and visitors who worked to make this possible.

We also had a full house Sunday Night, as we gathered together with five of our families to worship the Lord in a wonderful Parent-Child Dedication service. We were also blessed through the special music of Mrs. Cindy Pitts, and our new Children’s Choirs, as they sang and played the hand bells. We thank Fredia Blanchett and Sandy Bush for their leadership in this ministry.

Our children’s ministry is really growing. We have dedicated six children in the month of September; we have remodeled and expanded our nursery; and the Wednesday night missions activities for our children are continuing to expand. This would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of all of those who volunteer to teach and minister to our young people.

Today the Centennial Celebration begins. We are excited to have two of our former pastors with us this week. Angus Hart and his wife Leonora are with us this morning. Bro. Angus pastored Olivet from 1969-1970. He will be bringing our morning message. Then Monday through Thursday Michael Petty will be back to lead us in our Fall Revival. Bro. Michael recently pastored our church for five years. His wife and children will be here this Saturday as he performs the wedding ceremony for Christina Stevenson and Justin Hutto.

The Centennial Committee has been working hard to prepare for the upcoming year and they have some great things planned. Today we are introducing a new expanded format for our bulletin, which includes a Centennial logo on the cover. This bulletin will give us more space for announcements and other information. Please be patient with us as we fine-tune it in the coming weeks. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

The committee is also working hard on an anniversary edition church directory. Sign-up for your picture today! Pictures will be taken October 23 and 23. Please don’t miss out on this. We want everyone to be included.

Additionally, throughout the year we will reminisce about our heritage and be blessed as some of our former pastors and some of the ministers, who were sent out, from our body, return to preach.

Finally, we will also be having a series of special services throughout the year, which will culminate with a special concert on August 10 and a 100-year anniversary service on August 11.

This is a time for us to be unified in Christ as we remember our rich history, and come together to embrace the vision that God is revealing to us for the future.

In Christ’s love,

Bro. Bruce