M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 1 , I s s u e 5 : M a y 2 0 1 6
Blessings Beyond Measure By The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin I want you to know how fortunate we are as a congregation. Recently, I spent some of my time in meetings at the Presbytery office in Irving. While not all the business concerned congregations facing difficulties, the serious issues facing some of our congregations made me glad all over again to be your pastor. We have our share of challenges; every congregation does. We carry a modest debt load; we face an environment in which a smaller percentage of people belong to or attend church; we have beautiful but aging facilities which are expensive to maintain. But these do not approach the kinds of problems some other congregations face. Some of our congregations struggle with debt loads that dwarf ours both as a percentage of assets and as a percentage of budget. Others struggle with buildings in which deferred maintenance has become a crisis. Still others have lost so many members that they may never recover and grow again. And still others are embroiled in internal turmoil that saps their energy for mission and drives away newcomers.
By contrast, we are the envy of many other churches. We have strong financial resources. We are growing both in membership and in worship attendance. Our members enjoy each other’s company and actively care for one another. We have several strong programs that rival any church in Grace Presbytery. I do not say these things to gloat, but simply to say how fortunate we are, and how fortunate I am to serve as your pastor. Don’t get me wrong: we have a lot of work to do together. We need to strengthen our outreach ministries, as our Mission Committee is working hard to develop new ministries of compassion. We need to do an even better job of reaching out and inviting others into our fellowship. But these are challenges we are more than capable of facing, and I am confidant that we will succeed on all fronts. Why am I writing this? Simply to let you know what a wonderful congregation you are. Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep being faithful to what God is calling us to be and to do together. God has great things in store for us. I can just feel it!
i n t h i s i s s u e | h i g h l i g h t s & f e at u r e s Senior Recognition Sunday| May 22
First Friday Fun Finale | May 6
SAM’s Club: A Man & His Music | May 11
Celebrate with our graduating seniors at a church-wide reception.
Kids - make plans to celebrate at our final First Friday Fun.
George Faber, II, Director of Visual & Performing Arts at TISD performs. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com