Pastor Mark Rigg  

    Senior Pastor    E-mail
    2006 REPORT

Pastor Gerhard Weigelt

Associate Pastor      E-mail
 2006 REPORT

Dr. Morris Weigelt
Teacher in Residence     E-mail
2006 REPORT

Pastor Mitch Combs
Youth Pastor     E-mail
2006 REPORT

Amy Hinkle
Children's Ministry Director

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands” (Is. 43:19, MSG).

There are certain moments in every worthwhile endeavor when it’s an “all hands on deck” kind of moment. A defining moment when everybody is required to step up their intensity a notch. On a baseball team, it’s in the 9th inning of the World Series.  In football, it’s the 4th and goal, game on the line play in the Super Bowl. For seamen, it’s when the enemy is spotted. And when God says to a church, “Stand ready! I’m about to do something brand new!” it’s an all hands on deck time. And for Mason First Church of the Nazarene (MFCN), that time is now! Can you see it? God is bursting in on us! He’s making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands. The winds of change are blowing us into uncharted waters. All hands on deck! Prepare to dive deep, Mason First!! Surf’s up and God is doing something brand new!

We started the New Year off with a brand new pastor. The new guy has a long way to go but he is doing his best to start again, to begin anew, and to look at Mason First with fresh eyes. The last 11½ years have been very productive, and the church has grown and we’ve seen progress in many areas of ministry and community outreach. But I know that if Mason First is to be all that it can and ought to be in the days to come, our dreams for the future have to outweigh our memories of the past.

I, for one, want to do more than simply rewind the tape and assume that the next few years are to be a repeat, or even a continuation, of the past eleven. I am not interested in business as usual, because I believe Mason First is an “unusual” place, and we have an unusual opportunity to bring glory to God in this community.

As a new pastor, I want to make these days count. The psalmist put it like this: “Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

We count many things in the church: like the 25 new members we took in this year – 22 by profession of faith. Like our average morning worship attendance of 345, up 10 from last year. And our Wednesday evening average attendance of 183, up 3 from a year ago. Several were baptized this year and all of our Eternal Investment Funds were paid in full by April with the O.N.U. budget all set aside for processing of matching funds in hand before May 1st.

We sent 200 teens from this church and our community to Battle Cry at Ford Stadium this year. Upward Basketball ministry was launched with 137 children and over 100 adults involved. This monumental, legendary mission to our community, I believe, has the potential to change the entire complexion of our future. Yes, we count many things in the church. Our Sunday School attendance is reaching all-time highs. We’re beginning to count the costs of a new Community Youth Center. We know the number of missionary books read, our annual budget, the maximum capacity of our sanctuary and the number of parking places we have available.

But I’m thinking of something beyond that kind of counting; I am talking about making each day count. Every encounter ought to count; for what we do each moment this coming year will either add to or take away from the value and the impact of MFCN. The challenges of where we’re going to put everyone and how are we going to continue meeting the demands of growing ministries in one facility require our urgent attention. This is the season of change. Even though as a church we have prayed for God to do something new, even though we believe that God has led us to this point, I know change is hard. But that’s okay, because when the wind shifts in your life, when the wind shifts in your family, when the winds of change begin to shift in a church, God can do a new thing.

I believe that because Christ’s mission was to seek and save the lost—that ought to be priority number one for His church. Therefore, our mission & purpose is transformation: attitudinally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually within every individual and family currently here and those yet to join this fellowship called the family of MFCN. That’s what really counts. I know folks are counting on Mason First to continue to provide a mission of excellence to love, serve & share Jesus Christ with our world…to the extent that we turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

I am totally committed to personal renewal in my ministry. I am so pleased to have the opportunity to begin this novel and exciting era as the “new” pastor of this church. As I strive to make these days count, may I count on you as well? MFCN needs all of you, every one of us, together to stand in unity as we meet the challenges of building God’s Kingdom. May we determine going forward, that love, in every situation, will win the day; that grace will always have the last word and that together, we will make every day count for the Lord!

MFCN, this is no time to pull back. Times may be tough, but the surf’s up! The winds of change are blowing, and this is a time to stand up and be counted. This is one of those defining moments when everybody needs to step up their intensity a notch. All hands on deck, MFCN! It’s time to roll up our sleeves like never before on behalf of the lost. It’s time to come together for the greatest cause on the planet—the cause of Jesus Christ. This is the time we must be bold, and we must be innovative, and we must not be afraid. Because when the winds shift, God can do a new thing in our church.

“This is what the Lord says…See, I am about to do something brand-new!”

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I like listening to sports radio and the different themes and questions that come up in an attempt to fill ‘air time.’ A common question comes up from all different sports, and it usually goes something like this: “What do you think is the greatest team ever assembled in the sport of (you fill in the blank here)?” I want to answer that question by saying that the family of God right here at Mason First Church of the Nazarene is one of the greatest teams ever assembled. I count it a privilege to serve alongside the people who call MFCN their home!

I want to say a huge thanks to all of those who serve in leadership in each of our Care Circles. I know that God longs for us to experience life together, and I thank each of the leaders for helping to facilitate “life together” for those in their Care Circles. Last year I made reference to a theme from Jesus’ parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14. In the end of the parable the master tells his servant to “go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.” I would like to summarize that command in the following words, “Make Room at Your Tables.” I want to continue that theme again throughout the next church year because I believe we can do an even better job of that.

I am excited about an all-church event that will help us in this process. In the fall our church will embark on a God-focused 40-day spiritual adventure titled “The Quest.” Keep your eyes wide open because “The Quest” is coming! This spiritual adventure will assist us in making more room at our tables so that we can be even more about what God wants us to be! Be praying over these next weeks to see if God is leading you to open your home and table to be part of leading a group who will work through “The Quest” together. All God wants us to do is to be obedient! My prayer for us is that we would continue to say yes to whatever it is that God calls us to do!

Thanks to the people who graciously use their times and talents to make the sound and video ministry go smoothly as well as our weekly lay minute ministry. Thanks to Ron Smalley, Mat Edick, Tom Hengesbach, Doug Poufcas, Sean Tinkle, Sid Bazzy, Dave Bonotto, Jim Harvey, and Marv Helmker, and several others who are willing to step in at a moment’s notice...special thanks to all of you! If anyone is interested in exploring their skills in these areas of ministry, we always have opportunities for you!

Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 is a time of the week that I always look forward to because of Men’s Bible Study. Currently we are working our way through the great book of Acts. These men truly want to make the words of Acts 2:42a their own, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching.” I love Tuesday afternoon Bible Study – thanks to those who make this ministry a part of their lives! Also, let this be an open invitation to any man who has Tuesday at 1:00 free – come and join us!

I also look forward to Tool Time breakfast, the second Saturday of each month. Who wouldn’t be excited to have such an incredible meal prepared by such a great team led by Jeanine Christman? Thanks to Sandy Frechette, Laura Patterson, Kathy Johnson, Meredith Felts, Kristen Lake and Sam Nesbitt! Tool Time is a great opportunity for us men to explore what tools God has given us to be the men that He wants us to be! Thanks, ladies, for creating the environment so Tool Time can be such a success!

I enjoyed teaching the “Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts” class as a
supplement to the premarital preparation of those getting married this coming summer. Thanks also to those already married couples who joined the class. I look forward to this now annual class as Mason First!

I don’t think I have said this before (ha), but I love my job! My role as an
associate pastor allows me the opportunity to serve God in so many varied and exciting ways that it is hard to list. I thank God daily for the great pastoral and office team and church board that God has brought to Mason First. Thanks to Janine for putting up with all the grief we give her in the office. Every time we sit down together for staff meeting I am reminded of what a great team God has brought together. Thanks to Pastor Mark for his mentoring role in my life. To Mark, Lori, Mitch, John, and Pastor Dr. Rev. Morris Dad, I am honored to minister alongside of each of you!

I love my wife and I am grateful for her saying yes to marry me almost 13 years ago! Thanks, sweetheart, for loving me and our kids!

As we look forward as a church to see what the new year brings us, may we again look for how we can make room at our tables as we share life together! Surf’s up!

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I would like to especially thank my family for their unending support. My girls who spend as much time at the church as they do home and who help in any way they can. And my loving husband who supports me in any way needed. Thanks Hannah, Emmaleigh, and Dan – my ministry would not be possible without you. Dan, I am so blessed to have you as my husband and best friend. I love you!

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be part of the ministry team here at Mason First Church of the Nazarene. It is a wonderful feeling to be living in God’s will. I appreciate your love, support and encouragement. I look forward to a fresh new year riding the waves together! I am so excited to see what God has for us this year.

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What a privilege and a joy it is to serve with this great church and staff. I am many times over blessed to be in this assignment, and do not take it for granted. I have personally been supported by so many people of this congregation, as well as by Pastor Mark and the entire pastoral staff. We at Mason First not only have many things to be thankful for, but can believe that our best days are ahead of us! Whatever good has been accomplished in the teen ministry these past twelve months can be attributed to the faithfulness of God and to the heartfelt service of His people.

Let me mention some highlights to remember this past church year:
In June of 2005, 48 of us traveled across Lake Michigan literally to serve for a week in Milwaukee, WI. This was a super trip! Hot at times with conditions less than desirable, but was worth all the time and effort.

We started a teen service on Wednesday nights called “Momentum.” Mat and Cathy Edick put tons of time into this ministry through the power point/sound to leading the worship band.

Much of the year was spent in planning and preparation for the Battle Cry
event that took place this past April at Ford field. We sent 200 young people and leaders to the two day conference. We thank God for pulling this one off!! He certainly had His helpers; namely Janine Hedrick, Meredith Felts, Greg and Carrie Johns, Mat and Cathy Edick. There were of course many other people who contributed to make it a success.

Quizzing enjoyed a great year of success. Our teens continued to excel! A big thank you goes to Linda Pierce, Debra Miles, and Andrew Frechette for giving leadership to this ministry.

Sunday School is one of those ministries that often go unnoticed, except by the young people who get to enjoy it on a weekly basis. We have a solid group of teachers including Warren Couling, Dean and Sheryl Johnson, and Justin VanWyck.

Terry and Dawn Gawel have really been there for us along the way to make our events even greater through their skilled video savvy!

Janine Hedrick is not only a quality church secretary but has been a tremendous resource person for many aspects of the student ministry here.

Celebrate Life just keeps getting better and better with a lot of student participation and increased talent success. A huge thanks goes to Warren
Couling for his passion for this ministry and to Jim Breslin, his faithful side kick.

Small Groups were inaugurated on Sunday evenings this past year. This kind of ministry takes a lot of adult volunteers to make it happen. Yalonda’s and my thanks go to each of them!

Of course not every adult leader who has helped in some way has been mentioned but you know who you are. Thank you!

As we embark upon the next 12 months there are some issues that come to the forefront. Here are some significant ones:

The first is our new Youth Center. What a huge step the leadership of this church is ready to take to begin ministry on the 45 acres. The possibilities of this place are very exciting and the unknowns make it an endeavor that requires God’s participation every step along the way.

In July I’m anticipating that 45 of us will travel east to a little Nazarene church on the shores of New York City to minister to and serve the people of that community. A number of adult leaders are currently planning for this trip, and money is being raised to pour into the work projects.

I am currently working on what I am calling a two-year strategic plan for student ministries here at Mason First. One that will help us to know where we are going and what it will take to get there. This plan includes ministry at our current location at 415 E. Maple and our new location on Dansville Rd.

We have a great group of young people at this church. One of the frustrations of youth ministry is the challenge to create activities where the whole group can be present. I am learning that ministry to students in this day and time takes flexibility and patience. If we hang in there and seek God as to how to best do ministry to teens today we will be on the right track. God so wants to impact each teenager today and their families. In a day when so much shifts and changes, this one fact does not change. We in the teen ministry wish to thank everyone of this congregation for your prayers and continued support. We are your teen group and could not make it without you!

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