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Vision for 2016

During the winter of 1865, a former Civil War army chaplain named Rev. James
Mitchell gathered a group of 18 people and called them the Lewis Center Society.
The following spring, they laid the foundation for a building that would become
their church. It costs those 18 people a total of $2500 and a lot of hard work over
that spring, summer, and fall. Finally, on November 4th, 1866 the church was
dedicated. According to the church historian, Much interest was manifested, and
during the following winter the church experienced a great revival, with the result that
the membership was largely increased.

This is our heritage, begun nearly 150 years ago. Since that date, God has been doing
exceedingly more than any of those original 18 or Rev. Mitchell could have asked or
imagined. Some of it has been difficult: land has been purchased, new buildings
built, 68 pastors have come and gone, many of our loved ones have passed away and
are remembered in the roll call of the victorious. And yet, through it all, God has
been doing extraordinary things. Every summer, hundreds of children come to hear
the story of Jesus through Vacation Bible School. Every year, names are added to our
membership. Every year, dozens of names are added to those who have made a
public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Children and adults are baptized.
Thousands of dollars are given in missions. New individuals and families are finding
their home right here in this church. The list goes on and on as we continue to live
into our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of
the world!

As we approach the 150th birthday of Lewis Center UMC, we are once again
anticipating that God will show up in a big way.

We often talk about our Five Fruitful Practices. These are the ways we will live out
our mission. In each of these practices we have goals and expectations for the
coming year:

Radical Hospitality
- Welcome Packets every new person who moves into the area will receive a
welcoming gift.
- Personal Follow-up a personal touch for each person who enters our
church for the first time
- 4 Community Events
Passionate Worship
- Increase worship attendance 10%
- Increase encounter attendance 25%
- Increase people leading worship 10%
Intentional Discipleship
- Start an online Bible Study
- Form 3 new life groups
- Have 60 Professions of Faith we have been averaging around 45!

Risk-taking Mission
- Reform missions committee
- Hold 3 service days
- Double the amount of money given to local missions
Extravagant Generosity
- Launch a capital campaign to retire our debt
- Increase our legacy foundation to $150k
- Pay 100% of our apportionments

As I reflect on these ideas and what it will mean to accomplish these goals, one
phrase returns to my mind over and over again:

YOU HAVE TO BE HERE!

Why? Because you dont want to miss out on the amazing things that God will be
doing in and through this church. Because we cannot do these things without you.
And because I believe that each of these things will help you grow into a deeper
relationship with Jesus Christ! YOU HAVE TO BE HERE!

So what can you do to be a part of all of this? There are three simple steps!

Learn At LCUMC we believe the home is the primary place to grow in faith.
We encourage everyone to start the habit of daily time with God; reading and
reflecting on scripture through the Faith Five and developing a consistent
prayer life, both individually and with family members. We also know that
we need others to help us with our spiritual growth and believe this happens
best in life groups. Here we find friendships, accountability, and an
introduction to the scriptures.

Love We believe that regular worship attendance can inspire people to a life
change. Its in worship where we usually first connect with God and with
others. Worship is at the heart of who we are as the family of God. We desire
everyone, children and adults, to experience Gods presence and what it
means to be in an authentic community of faith.

Live - The Christian life is not about sitting in a pew. Its about living a life
characterized by extravagant generosity and service. Jesus said Go and make
disciples. We desire people to become ministers of Jesus Christ for the
purpose of using their gifts and abilities to change the world and to share our
faith so that others may experience the love and trust of God. One of the best
ways to do that is by finding a place to serve and using your God given SHAPE
for ministry.

We want to go STRONG into our 150th birthday! So.YOU HAVE TO BE HERE! We

want everyone to be a part of what it means to Learn, Love, and Live the gospel of
Jesus Christ!

Be a part of this year-long celebration of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world for the last 150 years! You have to be here!


Blessings,

Pastor Dan