Our New Pastor

We are rejoicing in God's faithfulness today!!!   Many of us in our small group attend Leominster Assembly of God.  We have had an interim pastor for the past 9 months.  The first 5 months were a time of turmoil, division, and uncertainty.    Then he arrived!!!   Pastor Paul Martin agreed to come on board for a month and help us begin the healing process.   Pastor Paul is a man who only wants to serve God where ever God calls him...and God called him to Leominster.  Woohoo!!!

Last night we had a meeting to confirm our new pastor.  Not only did he want to hear about what the membership had to say...he is interested in what the non-members had to say too!   Everyone got to vote (of course, only member votes counted).   We are so excited that Pastor Paul and his wife Ann have been confirmed as pastor at Leominster Assembly.

Pastor Paul, Ann, and two of his daughters (Tara and Tiffany) waited in the office while we took care of business.  The family entered to a standing ovation (further confirmation) with the deacon board behind.     Too bad you can't hear the hooting and hollering going on in the auditorium.  It is amazing that in the short 4 months he has been here, there has been much healing in our body.  Truly a miracle!!!

Ann and Pastor Paul shared with the church body for a short while.  They are a couple that have many years of pastoral ministry experience in the mission field and in leadership.  Together...they are going to be a dynamic shepherding team.  As many have said....hold on tight!!!

Pastor Bob Wise, our District Superintendent, was gracious and let us present some welcoming gifts to the family.  Melinda and Laurie had been planning for a few days to welcome these "Cub cheering, Bear loving" fans to "Bawstun"!!  

Don't they look happy to be part of the Red Sox nation!!!    Now we will have to educate them on all things New England!  He'll be wearing a Brady jersey by the Fall.

Pastor Paul is all about reaching the lost with all tools...technology is one of them!  He is sooooo excited about his new IPad!!!   Ann is excited because she knows he's a good sharer....otherwise we'll have to send him to Sally's Sunday School class for a quick lesson.

Welcome Pastor Paul and Ann.  We can't wait for both of you to be here full time!! 

And of course, we can't wait to meet the rest of the family!  Thanks Tara and Tiffany for being here for the weekend.  

Buddy Box Donations

We're preparing for our Feb.4th get together
when we'll be packing our 1st Buddy Boxes for
shipment to Kevin Bell in Iraq. Kevin will distribute
them to the guys or gals who would love to receive
a package from home! Our stash of goodies is
growing but since we've had people ask if they can
help, I decided to list a variety of supplies that
are commonly being requested by our young men
and women serving overseas.

As of today, we have lots of snacks, TP, deoderant,
razors and shampoo! Our goal for this shipment is
to FILL 4 boxes!

Travel Size Personal:
 Baby wipes, white crew socks, razors, shaving
cream, foot ointment, foot inserts, deodorant, nail
clippers, lip balm, toothpaste & toothbrushes,
eye wash, nasal spray, bug repellent, hand sanitizer
toilet paper, q-tips ( to clean their guns) and boxer
shorts.

Entertainment:
Frisbee, balls, hand held games, cards, squirt guns,
books, magazines about sports and cars, disposable
cameras, AAA, AA and C batteries, brain teasers.

Food:
Anything individually wrapped, candy, gum, trail mix,
protein bars, tuna, chicken and ham snack kits, cookies,
peanut butter crackers, cheese & crackers,
pudding (non refrigerated kind), single serving Propel
or Gatorade, beef jerky.

Buddy Boxes for our soldiers

Kevin with John and Sue. 

For those of you who don't know Kevin Bell, let me introduce him to you.  Kevin and his family use to live in Leominster and attended Leominster Assembly of God before they moved to Florida.   God called Kevin to attend Valley Forge Christian College. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he serves as a chaplain.   In December, Kevin was deployed to Iraq to serve our country and minister to the men and women serving abroad. 

Many of you remember that when Kim and Chip's son, Doug, was deployed we sent boxes filled with supplies and treats to the soldiers in Doug's unit.  We have decided that we will once again start filling boxes and send them to Kevin.  Kevin will make sure that any soldier who is in need will receive a "Buddy Box".   This is a way of showing our support for those brave men and women who give selflessly of themselves to protect our freedom.

  

Kevin standing in front of Sadam Hussein's old palace

Please pray for Kevin and all our soldiers!!!  If you want to follow Kevin's "adventures" in Iraq, we have added a link on the side to his blog.

As we serve...we remain
In Line With the Word

Ringing in 2011

Happy New Year!

What better way to say farewell to
the old and to welcome in the new
than with your best friends.

Kristi brought her grandson along! Mike's
in heaven having a chance to feed him. The
weather was perfect for a night full of
sledding, dancing, eating, and laughing!
We hope that you enjoy a few pictures!