2011 Financial Report

A Year Worth Celebrating
Fiscal Year 2010-2011 was a big year for Forest Hills Community Church. Among the major decisions we made as a church, none was more key than the decision to purchase $90,000 of equipment from Portable Church Industries (PCI) to enhance our Sunday Worship experience and move from the Midway Movie Theater to PS 144. This was our largest financial undertaking to date, and we are happy to report that the church has repaid 54% of the loan.

The key area of improvement in our move to PS 144 was in the expansion of our Kids Zone ministry. The children have been afforded a safe, clean, fun environment to learn about Jesus on their level and remain engaged throughout the service. This would never have been possible had we stayed in the Midway Movie Theater.

Other areas of celebration are our commitment to missions over the past year. We were able to consistently give $1,000 a month to missionaries around the world, supporting their work sharing the gospel with unreached people groups in fifteen different countries and five continents!

We also had several large-scale events and activities this year that were designed to bring people to Jesusʼ church and encourage fellowship among believers. Joining a flag football league, offering guitar classes, holding a Halloween alternative and Easter Eggstravaganza for neighborhood families, and our first Christmas Eve service were a few of the outreach activities and special events we invested in as a church.

Looking Ahead
Unfortunately, the financial story of the church is not all good news. While there is much to be proud of, the budget needed to maintain the church is simply not being met at the current rate of giving. In the past three months, weʼve seen a significant dip in weekly income to FHCC, and the last quarter (June through August) ran a deficit of $7,757. Immediate action is necessary to correct this trend and keep the church operating.

Pastor Jeremy does not presently, nor has he ever, taken a salary from FHCC; his salary is provided by churches and individuals who choose to support him as a missionary. Any other expenses we could potentially cut have been eliminated or reduced, and the budget for 2011-2012 has been set at $11,000 monthly.

Based on current attendance of 40 adults per week, our monthly giving needs to be $275 per adult to keep the church afloat. That translates to less than $70 each week. We realize that for some, $275 a month is more than your current giving trends, however, this amount is beyond reasonable for most incomes and may in fact be under the amount God asks of you. We are asking people committed to Godʼs Church in Forest Hills to support FHCCʼs ongoing mission with their finances to ensure the church can continue to reach the lost.

Light the Night 2011

Help us shine the Light of Jesus with our friends and neighbors this Halloween.  Every year FHCC members and friends set up a table on Austin Street and give away candy, bibles, kid's activity books and invitations to church.  It is amazing how many people stop to ask about the church and following Jesus during this time.

Volunteer:
1 - We need Candy! - Please bring individually wrapped candies to any FHCC service
2 - We need Volunteers - Contact Johanna to volunteer to hand out candy between 3-7pm
3 - We need Donations - Help us purchase bibles and activities books with a Cash Gift

We hope to see you this Halloween at the corner of Austin St and 71st from 3-7pm.

Thoughts on Healing

Been a hard afternoon, but one full of God's providence. In light of my upcoming trip to General Council, I have been working on a sermon two-weeks from now based on Acts 3:1-10. The passage is very familiar and powerful because it involves a supernatural healing at the mere mention of Jesus' name. So many have been encouraged by the story's very simple retelling of the events that led to a lame man being instantly healed; Peter and John command the man to stand and he does with praises unto God. It is so simple and challenging.

No sooner had I cracked the outline on the passage, then my phone and email inbox begin filling with prayer requests for healing. Brain tumors, cancers, mental anguish and anxiety, etc. are effecting my immediate world and friendships. People are suffering and in desperate need to God's mercy and power and the timing of these events cannot be coincidental. So, how should we respond?

WHY?
Before we address the healing, I feel it imperative to address the nature of sickness. With limited exception, sickness is NOT the fault of the afflicted (John 9:3). Yes, every man's sin furthers the plight of creation and breeds evil, but this should not lead one to the conclusion that if one is sick that he/she is being punished by God. The Bible is replete with the prophets, apostles and common people of God suffering the effects of sickness. Evil simply exists and effects all of us on this side of eternity, period.

WHAT MATTERS
After concluding that sickness is merely a component of living in a fallen world, the decision remains with how to treat it. Sadly, more people choose to focus on evil than its cure. Perhaps this is because of our carnal nature and obsession with the physical, but either way the practice is destructive. No good ever comes out of focusing on the problem, we must focus on the cure.

One of the many strengths of the Christian belief is that the biblical description of God is that He is sovereign. God is not limited by anything, nor does anything take place that is outside of His permissive will or ability. Additionally, the Bible declares that He is absolutely "good." This not only defines His essence, but also, by default, declares all of His works/actions/behaviors/ to be "good." These are important and imperative qualities when considering evil and its effects. Because God is sovereign and good, the effects of evil/sickness is never without purpose or cure. This is not to say that man can discern what this purpose is, this truth is reserved for God and God alone. Rather, by knowing that God has given purpose to evil/sickness it gives credence and necessity to look to Him in times of trouble. What matters is that God is always in control.

But His goodness is not abstract or merely theoretical, it's practical and demonstrated particularly in response to evil. The incarnation of Jesus (Jesus coming to earth as a man) proves that God's goodness and sovereignty are real and effective. God takes on the very thing that is susceptible to sickness/evil and overcomes it through the power of the Spirit. Additionally, He preserves not only His body, but he makes it priority to heal those who are sick and dead. God cares for the flesh and overcomes evil's effects toward it (Matt. 8:14-17).

As significant as God's concern for the flesh is, it is not the sole concern of the incarnation. The true significance of God becoming a man is so that He may suffer fully the effects of sin on our behalf and overcome them for all eternity (I Thess. 5:9-10). Jesus came to heal the soul, not merely the body and this is what matters most. I know this is hard to fathom from this side of eternity (John 11:35), but it is true. We should seek and expect God's healing in our physical bodies, but more important is that He be seen as the Healer and Victor over evil's effects on our soul.

APPLICATION
If you are sick, then pray to the Lord for healing (James 5:13). God has demonstrated His love, concern, power and will to heal, therefore, expect it with a gracious heart. But, do not major in the minors, loosing sight of God's greatest demonstration of His goodness and love for us: His salvation and healing of the soul. Receive Jesus for who is fully is: God the Healer and Victor over flesh and spirit. The flesh is significant, but far greater is redemption of the soul.

Worth Sharing

This is from Monica, a dedicated servant of the church in Forest Hills:

Yesterday (7/19/11) at about 5:20pm I was standing at the line in the post office of 17 st and 7th Ave. As I am standing on line to mail some important documents I read the article I had so eagerly printed a few minutes ago. While I am reading it I just kept smiling with so much joy of what the Lord is doing at FHCC whether we have 100 congregants or the 60 same people that comes to gather with us to praise our Savior and King Jesus with an open heart.

In my head the picture of Shashi worshiping the Lord so vividly and real as the pictured could depicted, allowed me to confirm how proud I am to know that FHCC has a pastor and brothers/ sisters that serve the Lord trusting HIM even through difficult an uncertain times. My heart rejoices to know that I am so blessed to be part of what God’s calling is in FHCC. When I looked back at my life it has changed so radically in so many areas (and I’m sure many more to come and in the progress) for the past 2 yrs 6 months that I have been in this body of Christ. I laughed by myself at times when I look at certain areas of my life and comparing it to years ago there is no way I would have been able to come out of the mess and agony that my soul was in. Eve so many behaviors and choices are fading and repulse me now when it did not many years ago when I called myself a Christian. To the Lord is given all the glory and to what I have learned at FHCC by His mercy and grace. Thank you so much both of you for teaching the gospel with hearts that fear and served the TRUE GOD.

So interesting that the pictures can depict only the tiny small part of a bigger picture. You Christine although no where in the pictures in this report, play a significant role in HIS CHURCH, your husband and to us (I do speak for many of our ladies of the church).
I pray that my heart and eyes continue to be guided by The Lord and His purposes…
and not by my feelings, circumstances or pressing hard times.

As I finished reading the article I LIKED SO MUCH the last words that closed the report "We'll still be here, somewhere. The scriptures tell us a church is never a building. You don't go to church. You are the church."

Every time I go to Colombia those words are in my head: “Monica now go and be the church” . Whether in crazy NY CITY or Colombia or wherever, I am called to be the church! I remember an old song form my school in Colombia that said: Yo soy iglesia, tu eres iglesia somos la iglesia del Senor. Hermano ven ayudame, hermana ven ayudame somos la iglesia del Senor”

Blessed and honored to serve the Lord at FHCC and to the pastors HE has appointed in my life,
Monica.

This is Not an Overstatement

Next to the death & resurrection of Jesus, the single greatest event in the Bible is the coming of the Spirit into the lives of the Believers. It is His presence that guarantees we are saved and enables us to fulfill God's commands and blessings. The Holy Spirit's arrival on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) is a really BIG deal.

Join us this Sunday as we begin our study of Acts 2. This dynamic chapter will fulfill the OT hope and promise and grant new vision and power for your daily life. I promise it!

Remember: Come as you are; there is no dress code for meeting with Jesus. Full childcare will also be available. Kids LOVE Kids Zone!

I hope to see you with us,

-Pastor Jeremy

Radical: When G-d Dwells with His People

Sundays @ 10am

PS 144 (corner of Juno St & 69 Ave), Forest Hills

www.fhcchurch.com

Baptism and BBQ - May 29

Baptism is Essential: Jesus was baptized. Peter declared that baptism is paramount to the removal of sins. Paul compared it to our participation in the death/resurrection of Jesus.

The Bottom Line: Baptism is essential to being a Christian, and now you can be baptized too!

Join us on Sunday, May 29th, at 5pm for our Spring Baptism Celebration at GENESIS. We have purchased a larger and heated baptismal to accommodate more people, and want you to be a part. The church family and your friends will cheer you on as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus and declare His wonderful love in your life. Baptism changes everything!

Following the baptisms, we will all enjoy a cookout with Burgers, Hot Dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, and all the great foods that make our church the place to be! Please help by bringing your favorite side-dish to share.

Important: If you wish to be baptized, you must bring a towel, change of clothes, and be prepared to share "why" you want to be baptized.

Please don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Sign Up here.

Get Radical

Easter is not the end, it is the beginning! The miracle of Jesus' resurrection brings life change and power to all who believe through the power of the Holy Spirit. God does not want your life to be boring or average; He wants it to be radical.

Join us this Sunday as we begin our study of the book of Acts. This dynamic book covers the miracles of the Holy Spirit and how a handful of Jewish people turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). This wonders we will discover are not limited to a certain and place. God desires that the book of Acts continue in our world today.

Remember: Come as you are; there is no dress code for meeting with Jesus. Full childcare will also be available.

I hope to see you with us,

-Pastor Jeremy

Radical: When G-d Dwells with His People

Sundays @ 10am

PS 144 (corner of Juno St & 69 Ave), Forest Hills

www.fhcchurch.com