Read the Reformation Sunday Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession here.

Dear First Church Family,

Because I am not able to visit each of you personally, I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the exciting things going on at First Church.  I hope as I do so you will catch the spirit of expectancy that we are walking into the future of God's unfolding.

We are raising a generation of young children who are learning the Biblical story through a variety of media -- art, music, film, cooking, drama and computer.  In that process, over fifty adults from our congregation volunteer as teachers each semester -- a truly intergenerational experience!  Our youth have become international mission emissaries in the past two years, helping to build the Cristo la Roca Church in Saltillo, Mexico.  We are offering not one but two in-depth adult Bible studies this year using the Disciple! curriculum.  We celebrate the emergence of a "20-to-40-something" group under the leadership of our new Associate Pastor, Kirk Hall.  And our excellent music program will soon be moving into a new music suite in the previous Learning Center space, while at the same time opening its doors to offer a music academy to low-income children in Lexington.

In short, we are moving Forward In Faith as our capital campaign title suggests, not just for ourselves but for a generation to come.  We cannot take that step into the future without your help and participation.  As a part of our Forward In Faith program, every household is asked to pray about this campaign and make a sacrificial commitment (over and above annual tithes and offerings) to be given over the next three years.  A tenth (a tithe) of your campaign commitment will be designated for mission activities.  As you can see, Forward In Faith represents a bold and important step into our future, and I want you to be a part of it.

Please read the materials on this Web site regarding our Forward In Faith ministry. 

Watch your mailbox for an invitation to attend one of the Vision Gatherings.  The purpose of these meetings is to share information with you, to answer any questions you may have, and to encourage you to make this a part of your daily personal prayers.  Following your receipt of an invitation, you will be contacted by a member of our Reservation Leadership Team to confirm your attendance.  Please know that your participation in a Vision Gathering is very important, and that no financial commitments will be taken at these meetings.  We want you to be well informed about the scope of the project, so when you are called, please say yes. 

These are exciting days of decision in our church.  Together let us commit to seek and act according to God's will.  Then, standing on the shoulders of the saints who have gone before us, we will move Forward In Faith.

God's blessings to you,

Lee W. Bowman, Pastor