Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Holy Spirit blesses the church with different and numerous gifts. No one person possesses all the gifts of the Spirit, but each person has specific gifts according to God's will. Everyone has something important to contribute to build and strengthen the ministry of the church. Christian Schwarz, Director of The Institute for Natural Church Development states, "Everything that we need to see the church grow has already been provided by God. We discovered a multitude of Spiritual gifts already exist in the church. The problem is that we do not make use of it". Schwarz conducted the most comprehensive church research project on church growth and discovered eight biblically base congregational characteristics that God uses to build his kingdom:

1. Empowering Leadership
2. Gift-Oriented ministry
3. Passionate Spirituality
4. Functional Church structures
5. Inspiring Worship
6. Holistic Small groups
7. Need-Orientated Evangelism and
8. Loving and Supportive relationships.

No church that wants to grow can neglect even a single one of these quality characteristics. What an exciting time to be at Grace, because God continues to bless us with an abundance of gifts to carry out our Lord's ministry. We have endless possibilities for imaginative thinking and enormous potential for innovated ministries to blossom when each of us uses our God given spiritual gifts to the glory of God. We have several opportunities before us this year to:

1. Equip people for ministry through Discipleship/Leadership development programs and experiential ministries that they may experience God's unique calling in their life,
2. Identify, celebrate and utilize an individual's spiritual gifts to strengthen team ministries,
3. Help each person live-out their faith with passion, commitment and enthusiasm,
4. Provide a congregational structure that invites and welcomes people's ideas and participation and is flexible to meet the changing needs of the congregation,
5. Expand worship opportunities that are meaningful and enjoyable,
6. Increase small groups to helps people gain spiritual insights to the everyday issues,
7. Share the gospel in a way that meets the questions and needs of non-Christians, and
8. Deepen our love and support of one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.

How we address each of these areas is dependent on discovering and sharing the gifts God has provided among us, that is the challenge and opportunity ahead of us. As we do, each individual, their family the congregation, and world community will benefit; because it deepens our relationship with the Lord and his church. I am thrilled with the privilege and amazed by the opportunities God has entrusted to us as we invest our gifts in the joy of our Lord's ministry at Grace. The reports you are about to read tell how we have used the gifts God provided. We have gifts to celebrate and gifts to share. Thank you for using your gifts! I am indebted for your support and appreciative for a staff that imparts Christ's care for those they serve: Associate in Ministry, Paula Smith, Director of Music Ministry; Catherine Whitten, Organist; Cathy Maiden, Director of Family Ministry; Sandy Burns, Office Manager; Kim Lorenz, Sexton and a special note of appreciation to Donna Stephens who volunteers as our parish nurse.

+ Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Steve Damos, Pastor