Damascus Friends 9/11 Remembrance

Cover Stories:	In The Spotlight:
Hearing His Voice...	Peniel Friends Celebrate...	Creativity in Recognition Float
Reaching Our World...	Worship CD with Stan Hinshaw	Lynn Shreve Remembered
	"Power Team..."	Van Wert Youth to Mexico
	Damascus 9/11 Remembrance	Hunter Hills Completes...
	Alliance to Reach Inner City	Disaster Service Banquet
	Women's Retreat	Hanover Friends Listen...
	Spice Up Your Family Devotions

Peniel Friends in Onemo, Virginia Celebrate Refurbished Fellowship Hall

The evening of June 29, 2002 brought a time of rejoicing as Friends and sister church members gathered for a dedication service and dinner to celebrate the refurbished fellowship hall and adjoining rooms. Duane Rice, District Superintendent, gave the message with special music by Alison Steward Hayes.

Members of the church had realized for some time that the floor joists in the fellowship hall, which had been the original church, needed attention as the floor trembled when one walked across one section. Termites complicated the problem.

When the stewardship chairman, who was doing the work, found how severe the damage had become, everyone felt we faced the impossible. However, both finances and volunteer labor came from unexpected sources. Everyone rejoiced in what God had provided. Peniel Friends has a new foundation -literally!! The large meeting room, two Sunday School rooms, and the kitchen have a new look from the ground up! Improvements include new tile floors, newly painted walls, trim, baseboard heaters, and even new doors!

One volunteer applied a new finish to the refrigerator, and the Young Adult Sunday School Class replaced the electric range.

All praise is to the Lord who provides when we trust and obey.

submitted by Catherine Brooks,
Peniel Friends Church Reporter

Canton First Friends Participate in Worship CD with Stan Hinshaw

When Pastor Mark Engel of Canton's First Friends jokingly encouraged everyone to "dress your best" for the live recording of Stan Hinshaw's newest CD, some might have taken him seriously. The special Sunday evening event brought 742 attendees for a special worship time. The praise band and worship team, led by Stan Hinshaw, provided a powerful time of worship featuring all original worship music written by Stan and one song by Steve Parsons. There was also a time of anointing and prayer which ministered powerfully to many. The evening was recorded by Josh Harris' company, In The Round Production.

The live worship CD, titled "Glorious" arrived in early December and quickly sold out. A second production of the CD will be available in mid-January. For more information, contact Canton First Friends. (e-mail link)

submitted by Pastor Mark Engel,
Canton First Friends, Canton, Ohio

"Power Team" positively impacts Hughesville

Hughesville Friends in Hughesville, PA, reported an effective outreach event for their whole community. Twenty-six churches combined their finances and resources to promote a four night evangelistic crusade featuring "The Power Team," a group of Christian, professional-level weight lifters who use their physical strength to illustrate strong evangelistic messages.

Pastor Dan Cale (Hughesville Friends Church) and Dave Fishel (Hughesville Baptist Church) coordinated the event along with about 17 volunteers.

One dramatic highlight of the event for Hughesville Friends members occurred when Pastor Dan Cale participated in one of the stunts by holding a bed of nails on his stomach while they broke a block of ice on top of it!

Two school assemblies helped to get the word out as members of the Power Team spoke to the kids about self esteem, anti-drugs, positive peer pressure, and other high impact topics.

The results were well worth the effort when over 4,000 people attended and over 1,000 responded to the altar calls. Approximately 250 of those were first time commitments to Christ.

Participating churches have coordinated follow up with each person who gave information, and Hughesville Friends now has at least one new family in their church as a result.

Reflecting on the event, Dan Cale reported, "Although the Power Team is now having some internal crisis, the four men who came to Hughesville demonstrated a tangible love for Christ that reached the hearts of many."

submitted by Pastor Dan Cale,
Hughesville Friends Church

Damascus Friends 9/11 Remembrance

Damascus Friends in Damascus, Ohio saw the 9/11 anniversary as a real opportunity to reach out to the community. Associate Pastor Steve Lowe coordinated the event which included a unique blend of information, recognition, and times of reflection.

The church's newly finished Ministry Center was put to good use with over 700 in attendance. Six hundred squeezed into the gym and 100 viewed via closed circuit T.V. in the sanctuary. What a great way to introduce the community to the new facility!!

The service focused on the historical events of 9/11 and featured special recognition of area veterans and community service organizations. The featured speaker, Charles Ellyson, is a decorated former F-15 fighter pilot and a graduate of Malone College.

Graphic images were provided through a special World Trade Center Display in the Narthex which included a piece of steel from the WTC. Pastor Steve Lowe also coordinated a power point presentation which had all the names of the victims scrolling in the narthex throughout the evening. Many were grateful to Damascus Friends for providing a facility and program to unite Damascus as they remembered 9/11.

submitted by Julie Jenkins,
Damascus Friends Church