This Fall will bring us again to the season focussed on serving those around us.  In fact, with a collaboration of churches in Hanford, 2010 will bring additional opportunities to serve. 

 

Last year on 'Get Out and Serve' Sunday, we suspended our gathering at Pioneer Middle School to worship God throughout our community through acts of service.  (Click here to read about last year's serve day.) This Fall, we will use to successive Saturdays to accomplish our project(s).  Mark October 17 and 24 on your calendars for 2 Saturdays to serve.

 

So far we have one project confirmed and will possibly add 1 or 2 more.  But our first project will require a great deal of our labor resources.  Working with our partner churches we will devote some elbow grease to another of our partner churches in town:  Howard Chapel AME Zion Church on South Douty Street. 

 

This church is near Coe Park, where we have hosted the Wow Jam for the past 2 years running.  And Howard Chapel has been the one church in the neighborhood, committed to fully participating in the presentation of that event and has been there to follow-up in the neighborhood.

 

Howard Chapel has been a part of Hanford for more than 100 years and during the mid 20th century served a congregation of hundreds.  With changes in our society and in the culture of the neighborhood, the ministry has seen some decline.  Now, Pastor Fred Wills is determined to become a powerful force in that neighborhood again.  He intends to apply to gospel to the family life of those who are losing the backbone of their family in that neighborhood.  Howard Chapel is well placed to do just that.

 

We are committed to giving this congregation a hand up in reaching their goals.  Along with 4 other congregations, we will do some BIG renovations and repairs to their facilities, give their structure a face lift, install landscaping that is maintainable, and giving the congregation some much needed encouragement in the process.

 

We need your hands to help us unite with our fellow believers to reach further into our community with the light of Christ.  Soon you will be albe to volunteer you time and energy to this incredible task.

 

We may also be able to help an elderly person in Lemoore deal with some hazaard issues on their propery, and maybe even serve the city of Hanford by upgrading public signage.

 

Mark these dates on your calendar and plan now to join in the service.