Pastor’s Annual Report – 2008

During 2008 I preached for 45 Lord’s Day services, at nine of which we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. We had special services on Maundy Thursday, March 20^th, and Easter Sunrise, March 23^th, which this year the weather permitted us to hold outdoors in the Abington Cemetery. As we advertised our Sunrise service widely, we were pleased to have 42 worshippers attend, many of whom were from our community, who normally do not attend more formal worship. Our Christmas Eve Candlelight service remains our most popular, with 55 worshippers this year.

Unfortunately, due to snow we were unable to hold our Lord’s Day service on December 21^st. In case of snow cancellations, we have a telephone tree to notify people, an announcement is made on the radio WINY, and notice is posted on our church website www.abingtonchurch.org.

We were pleased to welcome three young lives into the household of faith this year through the Sacrament of Baptism: Olivia Lee Tourtellotte on February 17^th; Cheyenne Elizabeth Hart on April 20^th; and Gabrielle Mari Platt on August 10^th. We were please to add three new members to our roster of congregational members, Bud and Dorothy Peck and Greg Hetu on December 14^th.

This year our church sadly bade adieu to five members and friends. Virginia Pike died on January 11^th; Cleo F. Carter on February 3^rd; Richard Platt on August 29^th; Bruce Roberts Valentine, M.D. on August 23^rd; and Lois McCarthy on December 20^th. We commend their spirits to our Heavenly Father in the sure and certain hope of our resurrection to everlasting life. Dr. Valentine was Abington’s family physician, spanning five decades.

This year we have again continued our Wednesday evening Home Bible Study group. After a four year hiatus, our Bible Study started up again last year. We have been meeting at 7:30 pm at Marion Scott’s home, and we finished our study the Letter to the Hebrews. This coming year we will begin a new study on the book of the Proverbs. Marion always provides beverages and a dessert, as do some of the other ladies, as well. So I hope everyone feels welcome to join us on Wednesday evenings. Many can join us only every-other week, or perhaps monthly. Please just come when you can.

Special thanks are due to Bob Reiss and all our trustees for arranging the building of a parking lot this year between the church and the Tracy House. Literally for centuries we have endured the mud. Such makes the church look so much more inviting, to which perhaps the new faces in our congregation are a testimony.

I want to express my special thanks to Betty Baker for writing the checks and balancing the books; to the Platt’s for coordinating our Bean Hole Suppers; to Sylvia for the up-keep of the church; to the Deacons for communion and other spiritual matters; and to the Ladies Guild for their sales and help. I especially want to thank our Ladies Guild for once again this year giving Sandy and me a beautiful poinsettia for Christmas.