The
first service in 1994 was a Wesleyan Covenant Service. On 16th
January
1994, the Workers for Christ class hosted a farewell reception for Mrs.
Fredna Akin as she prepared to move to be nearer her family. In
February,
members sent donations including blankets, kitchen linens, children's
clothes,
and a love offering to the Methodist Home in New Orleans. Mary
and
Austin Boggin in Paraguay and Philip and Michele Spots wood in
Kazakhstan
reported new churches being planted through the Mission Society for
United
Methodists. The whole children's program joined forces to present
the musical "Back to the Creekbank." Philip Wingeire-Rayo,
missionary
to Cuba, visited Grace. The church sent school supplies, a
copier,
and forty-six Spanish Bibles with him back to Cuba.
During the Lenten season a Book
of Daily Devotionals
written by church members was distributed. A small group
met
on Thursdays for a soup lunch and devotionals. During the morning
services a bare cross made from the trunk of the Christmas Tree was
placed
at the altar each Sunday in Lent. On Easter Sunday, members
decorated
the cross with flowers. Over $10,000 in Faith Promise pledges
were
received to support our missionaries. Members of the confirmation
class included Leslie Hohlt and Rebecca Taylor.
The church bid farewell to Rev.
Bill and Judy
Willis as they moved to the Wesley Foundation at Northeast Louisiana
University.
Both had been a vital part of our ministry. The Senior High group
traveled to Texas on a mission trip, and the Junior High group went to
Kentucky to work in the Henderson Settlement. Following the
breakdown
of the church van on these trips, a new van was purchased in August
1994.
A talent/no talent family night was held on 21st August. The
youth
also presented their report on the summer mission trips.
In the fall of 1994, a Keys to
Joy weekend
was held. The church prepared with prayer meetings at noon on
Wednesdays,
on Thursday nights, and a twenty-four hour vigil the day before the
event.
Lay people from all over the area traveled to Ruston to share personal
testimonies and encouragement with our congregation. Meetings and
events were held throughout the weekend. In October 1994, we
welcomed
our new Director of Youth and Music, Ellis Newman, with a
"pounding."
Jack O'Dell led a group of college students on a mission trip to Sager
Brown.
Christmas events included a
Youth Live Nativity
Drama, a family night, a special Cantata which included musicians from
Ruston Public High School and Grace, the Children's Choir, and special
lighting effects, and the Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion
Service.
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