Coffee Now Served at Food Bank

Yesterday was our August Liberty Corner at the Food Bank.  We had a real nice turnout and over 75 folks received supplemental food for their families.  I wanted to give you a quick report of our team's progress in serving on the mission field:

1. Antoine's Health - if you are not aware of this, Antoine has been suffering with glaucoma in both eyes.  He underwent surgery on eye 1 and suffered a severe side effect.  He has now had a second surgery on the eye and thankfully is back to normal and corrected vision in that eye.  He now faces a second eye surgery within the next two weeks, so please keep him in your prayers.
2. Church Facility - the Freedom Ministry facility has been inadequate for water leaks and heating furnace for the past year.  Now a plan is under review at the town for both shortcomings.  Within two weeks a new roof with be installed on top of the old one.  This new roof with use donated materials and volunteer labor to complete but we expect this to be accomplished just after labor day.  The furnace is now the top priority and Antoine is developing a plan to remove and replace the old electric furnace with a new gas version.  PSEG has agreed to run a gas line into the church. The dream is that this can be completed by end of month October.  Finally, the drive through bank stalls will be removed at that time and the last item is to replace the carpeting in the sanctuary.  This is needed due to water stains from the leaky roof.  By year's end wouldn't it be wonderful if all of this could be accomplished?
3. Coffee - we served sponsored coffee for the first time this past week.  We have a coffee pot and each week that we serve ins the future, we will also serve coffee.  This is intended to increase hospitality of the event and the evidence is there that this can done.  We served 50 cups of coffee and ran out at the end of the morning.  This idea is a winner.
4. Run, Walk Cheer - we have become a designated recipient of the run, walk, cheer fund raiser along with two other groups.  We are excited to support this event on October 17th.  In that spirit we have been invited on September 13 to conduct a Minute for Mission during worship at all three services.  Pastor Antoine Thomas has been invited to speak and has confirmed his plan to attend.  Great news for the food bank team and for Run, Walk and Cheer.
5. Next Event for our Team - we need to start planning for our second annual Mac and Cheese drive for the benefit of the food bank.  Last year we received over 100 pans of Mac and Cheese.  This year we are hoping for even more - lets set a goal of 125 this year.  We will talk next about the timing of this drive.