in this ISSUE How Do You Know continued

Page 2 Spotlight On Mission & Evangelism Page 3 What’s happening page 4 In Our Community page 5 Bible Study page 6 Fellowship page 7 Youth & Children News page 8 School News page 9 Calendar & Schedules page 10 & 11

the Signal

“In thy light shall we see light” Psalm 36:9

March 2015

Southminster Presbyterian Church

How do you know what God wants you to do?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Most, if not all of us, have asked ourselves this question. My simple answer is to have a deep and abiding relationship with God. But don’t take my word for it. I’d like you to read the words of Kim Bastin, a mom at Southminster School, who has a story to tell you. She has given permission for me to share this with you. I strongly encourage you to read along as she shares her answer to this life-changing question:

How We Knew

Kim Bastin, Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Let me share with you all a little bit about how this whole event unfolded for us.

Let me start back a bit, as in 2013 back…

I was bored.

Samantha and Easton had started preschool, and I was fishing around for a job at the school that I had taught at before the twins came along. More specifically, I was wanting a 1st or 2nd grade teaching position.

I approached the preschool director about my hopes for a position, and I resubmitted my resume, hoping, not-so-secretly, that I would be placed at the top of the pile for potential candidates.

My thoughts were something along the lines of teaching five days a week during the 2013-2014 school year, and the kids would go to preschool five days. I figured it would work out just fine.

Their first year in preschool, they were going three days a week, and they were school-going champs as far as I was concerned.

At the start of the new year, half-way through the kids first year at preschool, I began a Bible Study at the school that met on Monday mornings. That first semester that I attended, we were doing a study of Exodus. It was interesting, and I enjoyed going and starting my week off in a way that I felt was fresh and uplifting.

About half way through the year, our group leader started suggesting a new Bible Study [Experiencing God] for the next school year. She explained that it would take the entire school year, and it was about learning how to hear God speak.

I remember thinking, "Wow. That must be like having a super power or something. To hear God speak. That would be so cool."

A few moments later I realized that no one would be offering me a job for the next school year. I was going to be in this Bible Study [Experiencing God]. I was sure of it. (I was also sure that Blake was going to do this Bible Study with me, whether he wanted to or not, regardless of the fact that he couldn't attend any of the group meetings on Monday mornings. It just seemed too cool not to include him.)

Continued

Page 1 Page 12

Southminster Presbyterian Church

4200 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459

(281) 499-2310

www.southminpres.org

Non Profit Permit #4 POSTAGE PAID Missouri City, TX 77459

Southminster Church

Rev. Kent Landry……....………………..........................Pastor Rev. Andrew Keyes……………………………..Associate Pastor Rev. David Northcutt…………….....………..Parish Associate for Pastoral Care Pam Drake………….…..…………................Church Secretary John Ryan…..……………………………………………...Treasurer Christy Balenene……………………………..Business Manager Scott Lofgren...................................Facilities Coordinator Andrew Meddaugh…..………………………...…… Music Staff Gabriele Hodges...............................................Music Staff Jane Rusk……….................……………………….Signal Editor Jeanne Peabody…………..…………….Childcare Coordinator

Southminster School

Angela Holden.………………..Head of Southminster School Karen Rombach....................................Preschool Director

OUR MISSION

Exemplify Christ's love to children, the community,

and one another through education, service, and

outreach.

OUR CORE VALUES

Nurturing children and youth

Service to others (community)

Personal investment in the church

Strong support to church members in need

Our Deepest Sympathy is extended to...

David Bauer and family as they grieve the l death of his Father, William.

Wally Fratt and family as they grieve the death of his brother, Homer.

SAVE THE

DATE

April 5 Easter Sunday

Sunrise Service 7:00am Sunday School 9:00am

Fellowship 10:00am Worship 10:30am

April 18 Southminster School

Social

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Audio Visual

1st Benny Gilbert

8th Rick & Niki Bramer

15th Debbie Yoho/Brad Federwisch

22nd Jon Schwartz

29th Brad Federwisch/Stephen James

Tellers

1st Myron Goforth Frank Haines

8th Bea McClung /Pat Welsh

15th Owen Irish

22nd Travis Boyd/Richard Early

29th Don Watts/Brian Harkins

If you have an article or

event that you’d like

included in the Signal

Newsletter. Please email

Jane Rusk at her new

email address

emailjanerusk@gmail.

com by the 15th of the

prior month. Your ideas

are also appreciated &

welcome!

Worship Assistant

1st David Northcutt

8th Will Hardee

15th Sloan James

22nd Karen Aviles

29th Bob Crosley

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES & BUDGET How do you know what God wants you to do? (continued)

The summer came and went, and I wasn't offered a position. Actually, no one was. The school cut several jobs instead.

When the school year approached, the head of the school caught me playing with Samantha and Easton on the playground. She asked if I was interested in teaching still, and when I told her that I was, she explained that there was probably going to be a position open for the 2015-2016 school year.

"God's plan must have always been for me to do this [Experiencing God] Bible Study before returning to teaching," I worked over with Blake later. "Amazing, right?"

Over the next few months, Blake and I learned about how to not only listen to God's voice and know when it is His voice or my own thoughts, but what to do when I hear Him speaking to me.

As my understanding grew, so did my excitement in what I was learning.

In early November, I specifically remember having a conversation one morning with my sister-in-law, Erica. I told her that I had this feeling that something was coming. "It could be next week, next month, or next year. Something is coming, and God is preparing us for it." She nodded, noted her goosebumps, and crossed her fingers that the something" was us moving back of Oklahoma.

A few weeks later, Blake and I sat next to each other at a quiet restaurant discussing the same line of thought that Erica and I had recently chatted about.

"Can't you feel it? Something is coming. I think maybe God was waiting... waiting for just the right amount of time after my mom left. He knew that I couldn't do anything until I had grieved. Until I could remember her without losing myself to grief." Blake had nodded in agreement. He could sense something was happening, though we had no idea what or when anything would happen.

The week before Thanksgiving, "it" happened.

Blake came home from work on the evening of the Thanksgiving Feast that was being held at the kids' school. He pulled into the driveway with only enough time for the kids and I to load in. As he backed out, he turned to me, "They have asked me if I would like to interview for a position in Melbourne, Australia. I have to let them know by tomorrow."

As we drove, we reveled in knowing that this was what was coming, though much sooner than we had ever anticipated, this was the "something" that we had being feeling.

We couldn't turn the interview down.

How could we, knowing what we did?

Blake, of course, nailed the interview, and called me from Melbourne on the morning of my 30th birthday to tell me that we were moving to Australia. We were moving to Australia in barely two months. Ready, set, go!

From there, everything has become a blur of activity, paperwork, and blind faith.

But you know what... It is all out of our control. We have given up the control, and in turn, it has been smooth sailing. I would have never thought that moving your family of four across the world in less than eight weeks could happen so seamlessly, but it has nothing to do with me or Blake.

We are here.

I'm not sure why we are here, but we are here.

We came because we were asked to.

Now, we just have to keep listening.

AudiCommunion Servers March 1, 2015

Preparers Naomi Maxwell

Jude Ryan

Servers

Scott Alexander Bea McClung

Ida Earle Ron McClung

Will Hardee Don Watts

Ed Herron Dorothy Watts

Church 18 month budget from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016

Church Income January YTD Budget Total 18 month Budget

Pledged/Non Pledged/Loose Plate Giving/Misc 82,029 53,856 969,400

Church Expense

General Benevolence/Per Capita Presbytery 0 1,083 19,500

Christian Education & Youth (652) 938 24,040

Congregational Care & Fellowship (397) 375 8,000

Diaconate 0 50 900

Mission & Evangelism 707 1,816 55,900

Resources and Management & Stewardship 48,060 53,519 770,369

Worship & Music (170) 920 15,865

Principal and Interest on Building Debt - Church 13,391 6,986 123,931

Total church expense 60,939 65,687 1,018,505

Church Net (income - expenses) 21,090 (11,831) (49,105)

Southminster School 12 month budget July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015

School Income January July to Jan July 14 to June 15

Southminster School 1,206,107 1,111,046 1,455,995

School Expense

Southminster School 787,962 772,515 1,310,985

Principal and Interest on Building Debt - School 80,088 84,583 145,000

Total School Expense 868,050 857,098 1,455,985

School Net (Income - Expenses) 338,057 253,948 10

Please feel free to contact Church Treasurer, John Ryan, or Resources & Management

Committee Chair, Brian Wolf, with any questions.

13—Rick Bramer Mike Evans Julie Herron 14—Sloan James Melisa Wolf 17—Emily Wood 19—Jack Burgess Dawn Foley 20—Phyllis Browing 21— Ashley Bramer 24— Amanda Funderburk Jordyn Walther

MARCH BIRTHDAYS May God continue to shower you with blessings and happiness. May He always keep you in his ender and loving care.

01—Megan Hutchens 02—Nell Schwartz 04—Ashleigh Holden 06—Danielle Hertel 07—Jehan Herron Andrew Keyes 09— Jim Sokol 10—Ellen deKanter Darlyne Fratt Margo Johnson Nicolaas Nelsen

Page 3 Page 10

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Sunday School 9am Fellowship 10am Worship 1030am

2 Last Whispers Bibles Study

915am

Marlene Circle 630pm

3 Quilters 9:30am

#1852 7pm

4

MWM 615pm

GraceNotes 730pm

5

Chancel Choir

730pm

6 7

8 Sunday School 9am

Fellowship 10am Worship 1030am Deacons 545p m Worship 6p m Mission/Evang 7pm

9

Wings Bibles Study 7pm

10 Quilters 9:30am

Food Pantry 10am

CE/Youth 7pm #1852 7pm

11

MWM 615pm GraceNotes 730pm

12

Chancel Choir

730pm

13

14

Adult Social McCalmon’s

630pm

15

Sunday School 9am Fellowship 10am Worship 1030am Youth Group 5p-7pm Congregational Care 7pm

16

17 Quilters 9:30am

School Comm 7pm

#1852 7pm

18

MWM - Brown Bag 615pm

GraceNotes 730pm

19

Chancel Choir 730pm

20

21

First Upward Soccer Game

22 Youth Sunday

Blood Drive Sunday School 9am Fellowship 10am Breakfast Tacos Worship 1030am

23

24 Quilters 9:30am

Food Pantry 10am

#1852 7pm

25

MWM 615pm

26

Chancel Choir 730pm

27

28 Upward Soccer

Pancake Breakfast 8-10am

Egg Hunt 10:30am

29 Sunday School 9am Fellowship 10am Worship 1030am

Potluck Lunch Youth Group 5pm-7pm

30 31 Quilters 9:30am

what’s happening, when MARCH CALENDAR

Congratulations to

Lee & Megan Hutchens

On the birth of their son

Cooper James

Born February 13, 2015

9 lbs. 13 ozs.

21”

Recycling Cans - Bring to Church March 1 Newsletter Deadline March 15th

SPOTLIGHT ON

MISSION & EVANGELISM

Local charity helps families get

back on their feet By Michael Sudhalter msudhalter@fortbendstar.com

One of Southminster’s most talked about ministries is Fort Bend Family Promise, which helps families who are situationally homeless into getting back on their feet and finding apartments or homes. Shahid Mauldin didn’t know where to go. The 35-year-old single father of three, a military veteran and former food distribution employee was out of work in Fort Bend County and faced the possibility of living in shelters. If that happened, his family couldn’t stay together due to the separation of male/female shelters.Fortunately, Mauldin contacted Family Promise. “They kept us together and a took a lot of the stress off,” Mauldin said. Since it started a decade ago, Fort Bend Family Promise has assisted more than 120 situationally homeless families such as the Mauldins. Americans often have a pre-conceived notion of homelessness as people living under a bridge, but that doesn’t represent the full spectrum of the issue. Vera Johnson, executive director of Fort Bend Family Promise, said homeless can often occur as the result of injury, illness, divorce, separation or job loss. With the current downturn in oil prices, Johnson is expecting to receive more phone calls from laid off employees – adding to Family Promise’s current waiting list of about 30 families. “Many of these families are living paycheck-to-paycheck and life throws them a curveball,” said Family Promise board member John Tipton, of Sugar Land. “We help them manage through the crisis and get back on their feet.”In an area with little in the way of public transportation, expensive car trouble can begin a domino effect, to where an individual has no way of getting to work. The Family Promise is not a shelter. It works with three or four families at one time, partnering with more than a dozen Fort Bend churches to host the families overnight. There is a strict screening process before a family is accepted, and a family must have at least one child under 18 years old in order to be accepted. At 5:30-6 a.m., the kids head to school, and families stay in Family Promise’s “Day Center”, while either one or both parents work.

A Home for Fort Bend Family Promise After helping so many families find homes over the last decade, Fort

Bend Family Promise (FBFP) will soon realize the dream of having a

place to call home. The non-profit, which has operated out of facilities

generously provided by New Hope Lutheran Church since its

founding, has a new Day Center under construction in Missouri City

on Cartwright Road near Dulles. Completion is anticipated in June

2015.

25— Lecia Alexander Susan Evans 28— Derek Walther 29— Brindley Drake Anastasia Layus 30— Adam Hauschel 31— John Sturrock

in the

SCHOOL Teaching Christ’s love

PTO is excited to announce the details of our upcoming Spring 2015 fundraiser!

THE SOCIAL, a disco-themed, fun, casual evening of dining, dancing and bidding at the Museum of Natural Science in Sugarland on April 18, 2015, 7:00pm-10:00pm. The PTO would be very grateful for any major items you could contribute to our event’s auction. Specific requests include; tickets to sporting events or concerts, overnight stays at vacation properties, vouchers for hotels stays, airline tickets and other luxury items. We would be happy to pick up any items you are willing to donate or mail donations to the school. We request all donations be received by February 27th. Underwriting and Advertising Opportunities (due by March 2, 2015) $5,000 “Stairway to Heaven” Presenting Sponsor (SOLD to TEXAS DIRECT AUTO) $3,500 “Instant Karma” Staff Sponsor $2,000 “Rock N Roll” Entertainment Sponsor $1,000 “Stayin’ Alive” Photo Booth, Decorations, Printing and Publicity Advertising in THE SOCIAL Program (Artwork due by March 2, 2015) $100 Full-page ad (7.5” wide x 4x5” tall) $50 half-page ad (3.5” wide x 4.5” tall) $35 Business card (3.5” wide x 2” tall) Tickets for THE SOCIAL are $65 each; more information or tickets may be purchased by March 2nd, contact thesocial@southminsterschool.org We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support of THE SOCIAL, the PTO and Southminster School. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our children.

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Easter Eggs and Candy Needed!

The YMCA is in need of the following for their Easter Egg Hunt that is being held on March 28 at 10:30am:

Non Chocolate Candies

100-150 plastic eggs to fill (any Size) Donations will be accepted in the Narthex

BLOOD DRIVE SUNDAY MARCH 22 Sunday, March 22 is the date to save for our next Blood Drive here at Southminster. Every donation can help save as many as three lives – mothers, children, husbands, neighbors. It just takes a few

minutes of your day and makes a powerful impact on our community. The mobile unit will be set up in the fellowship hall and appointments will be available from 8:30 am until 12:45 pm. Walk-ins are welcome. Watch for sign-up sheets in the narthex beginning in March.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Help us decorate our sanctuary for

Easter by purchasing a beautiful

Easter lily

You may take your Lily home after

the service on Sunday April 5, 2015.

Sign up in the Narthex or contact

Joann Dunmire 281-300-7012

Annual Eggstravaganza! Saturday, March 28th Pancake Breakfast at the church

8:30am – 10:00am

Easter Crafts and Pictures with the Easter Bunny

8:30am - 10:00am

Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Bend YMCA

Every bunny welcome. No charge.

Join us for Easter Fellowship and Fun!

Easter Sunday Services April 5, 2015

Sunrise Service 7:00am (Around the Labyrinth)

Sunday School 9:00am Fellowship 10:00am

Worship 10:30am

The Story Readings For Lent

Feb. 22 Story #22 Mar. 1 Story #23 Mar. 8 Story #24 Mar. 15 Story #25

Mar. 22 Youth Sunday No Readings

Mar. 29 Story #26 Apr. 5 Story #27

Sunday,

March 29th

11:30am

Potluck Lunch Following the 10:30amWorship Service Last names A-M, please bring a side dish to share.

Last names N-Y, please bring a dessert to share.

Meat will be provided.

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Page 5

how you can HELP?

CARING TONS

Please continue to bring your items each Sunday. This Months suggested food

products are: Flour 2lb, sugar 2lb, cooking oil, saltine

crackers, toothpaste, tooth brushes, bath bar soap, toilet paper, shampoo,

paper grocery bags

FOOD BANK Our days to work at the EFBHN Food Pantry:

March 10th & 24th 10:00am - 1:30pm.

425 Stafford Run Rd,

Stafford, TX 77477

Please come and join us!

EYE GLASSES

Dorothy Goforth is collecting

eyeglasses for a mission in

Peru. Please leave them in

the treasure box in the

Narthex.

RECYCLING

Thank you for your

recycling efforts. Please

remember to bring your

aluminum cans the first

Sunday of each month.

Our local & worldwide

COMMUNITY OF FAITH How you can show Christ’s love SHYG

Sr. High Youth Group &

MIGHT Middle Schoolers in God’s Hands Together

All Middle and High school students welcome!

Schedule

Sun. Mar. 01 - No Youth Group Sun. Mar. 08 - No Youth Group

Sun. Mar. 15 - 5:00p-7:00p Regular YG Sun. Mar. 22 - 10:30am-2:00pm Youth Sunday & Youth Hangout

Sun. Mar. 29 - 5:00p-7:00p Regular YG

Upcoming Event April 24-25 - 30 Hour Famine

YOUTH & CHILDREN MINISTRIES

FORT BEND EMPTY BOWLS !

Fort Bend Empty Bowls will be held on April 17, 2015 at Texas Safari Ranch

Meal of Soup and Bread Live and Silent Auctions

Hand Painted Bowls and Pottery For Purchase

This year honoring Fort Bend ISD

Tickets May be Purchased from Frank Haines or Janice Hodge

$40/person

UPWARD SOCCER - SPRING 2015

Upward Needs YOU!

Upward is a great way to bring together two things that most of us love: Jesus and sports! This our biggest soccer season yet, and we are praying that God will work in the lives of everyone involved. There are 4 different ways that you can get involved in Upward:

Church Host – This person will be the smiling face for families during their week night practices. Responsibilities include:

Facilities: Unlocking two exterior church doors before practice so that families and players may use restrooms and water fountains. Make sure all balls and cones are put in respective bags, put bags back in Pastor Andrew’s office, turn off field lights, lock church doors.

Hosting: Talking to families while their children are practicing. Get to know them, tell them you’re glad they’re here, and ask them about their lives. BE FRIENDLY! Also make sure each field has two goals and the appropriate ball bag for that age group before their practice begins

Adopt a Team Member – This person will help to be a church presence with each team.

Games: Member will show up consistently on Saturday mornings and cheer on the same team each week. Member will get to know players and families, and be a friendly representative of our church.

Referee – This person will referee soccer games on Saturday mornings.

Games: During each game referees will be responsible for enforcing rules and player conduct. Referees will begin each game by praying with both teams, and will ensure that teams shake hands after each game. Referees will be required to show up prepared 15 minutes before each game.

Soccer Coach – This person will be one of the coaches who will work with players to develop their soccer skills and also their elationship with God. We only need a few more coaches! Responsibilities include:

Practice: Helping players develop their skills through 1 hour long practices 1 night a week. You will have a detailed practice plan each week, and will be expected to follow the practice plan.

Games: During each game coaches will be responsible for encouraging players, making substitutions, respecting the referees, and setting overall tone of the game.

I hope that our church will rise to the challenge! Signup posters will be in the Narthex outside of the sanctuary in upcoming weeks.

We’re sorry - there’s no Date Night in March

BUT… we’re back April 25th!!!

Youth Sunday - March 22 The Youth Group of Southminster invites you to

worship together on March 22nd for Youth Sunday.

The youth will lead the entire service from

beginning to end. We invite you to come and hear

the voice of this generation as they proclaim that

Christianity is not dead, and they are living proof.

The Youth Group would also like to invite you to

enjoy breakfast before the service! The Youth

Group will be serving homemade breakfast

tacos from 10-10:30am. This promises to be an

amazing day of worship and fellowship. We

hope that you will join us.

R.U.O.K. - Free Service

The Ft. Bend Sheriff’s office has a program designed to check each day on persons, especially those who live alone. The program is called R. U. O. K.

When you register with the sheriff’s office, you will get a phone call each day. If the call is not answered, deputies will drop by to check to see if everything is okay. If not, they will call an ambulance, etc. If you are going to be gone (doctor’s appointment, out of town, etc.) at the regular calling time, you just call and tell them not to call during that time.

This is a free service but there is paperwork to fill out and turn in. If you would be interested in this service, contact David Northcutt at davidlnorthcutt@comcast.net, call his cell phone 713.594.8338, or see him at Church.

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Page 7

learning & exploring

BIBLE STUDY

SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:00am - 10:00am

Sunday School classes that will be journeying through The Story curriculum. The Story is an abridged, chronological Bible that reads like a novel. There are no verse references, and Scripture

segments are seamlessly woven together with transition text into a single grand narrative. For those intimidated or overwhelmed by the unabridged Bible, The Story helps people understand

God’s Word more fully and engage with it more easily. The Story helps people of all ages understand God’s love and God’s plan for their lives.

We will have the following classes: Preschool, Kindergarten-2nd Grade, 3rd-5th Grade, Youth (6th

-12th), Young Adults, and Adults. Every class will be on the same chapter each week, regardless of age.

THE MARLENE CIRCLE

This women’s Bible Study meets in members homes on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm. They are currently studying Wisdom For Today’s Woman; Insights From Esther by Poppy Smith.

Ann Sturrock 281-437-7798 or Marilyn Purcell 281-835-9322

WINGS CIRCLE (Women in God’s Spirit) A Women’s group that meets in members homes on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00PM.

For more information please contact Pat Lynch 281-265-9795.

SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP

Coffee and fellowship in the Narthex 10:00am- 10:30am

Do you want to connect with more members? Join us right before the service for refreshments and get to know your fellow church members a little better. Contact Joann Dunmire to volunteer and for additional

information joannleedunmire@yahoo.com

ADULT SOCIAL

All adults are welcome for this time of fun and fellowship

Saturday, March 14th at 6:30

“WEARIN’ OF THE GREEN”

At the Home of Miller & Georgia McCalmon

2211 Winged Foot, Missouri City Bring an appetizer to share

And your favorite beverage

Please RSVP by March 12th mccalmong@yahoo.com 281-438-6830

MID WEEK MANNA

Everyone is welcome to this weekly dinner and devotional time 6:15pm

Mar 4 - Sloppy Joes, Mixed Veg., Fruit Salad, Dessert Mar 11 - Spaghetti, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert Mar 18 - Brown Bag Mar 25 - Baked Potatoes all the way, Broccoli, Fruit

Salad, Dessert Meals are $5 a person—Dinner reservations are due Tuesday by 10 am

RSVP to Marianne Irish 281-437-7888 or irish7171@aol.com

MINISTERS OF THE CLOTH - Quilters

Meets every Tuesday from 9:30 until Noon in the multi-purpose room. The group makes baptism quilts, comfort quilts for hospitalized members and for the apartment ministry, ‘wounded

warrior’ quilts that are sent to Brook Army Hospital, and kids quilts for Project Linus. We also make a quilt to be raffled or auctioned off for the Southminster School Gala. All skill levels are

welcome, we are always glad to welcome newbies and beginning quilters. Contact Dorothy Goforth at 281-814-1760 or dgoforth@dewpointcontrol.com

A THANK YOU

Thank you for all the prayers and notes of encouragement that you have sent Wally during his recent surgery & recovery time. He was always glad to receive them. God bless all of you. Love in Christ, Darlyne & Wally Fratt

Thank you to our Southminster family for all the cards, calls and prayers during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness and kind words were a great comfort In Christ, David & Denise Bauer Thank you to the Pastors for their visits and to all of your for your calls, cards and prayers for Annie during her recent surgery. Val & Annie Imperial