Fellowship activities for 2008 were:

• Ice skating at Twin Ponds
• Sweetheart banquet with Prime Rib and all the trimmings
  • We played the newlywed game and shared an evening full of fun and laughter
• Chili cook off
• Easter egg hunt at Harry Wheeler’s
  • A fun afternoon with lots of little people playing games and finding colorful eggs
• Mother’s day and Father’s day dinners
• Outdoor church service and covered dish picnic at Harry’s w/ swimming and games
• Dinner and game night
• Halloween party (due to rainy weather we did not have a hay ride)
• Bowling and pizza party
• Christmas dinner and hanging of the greens

This was the second year for our community garden.  Although the weather did not cooperate as well as we would have liked, we are still very thankful for the wonderful harvest of corn and potatoes from our ground.  Boyd Weary had fertilized the soil by spreading manure on the plot, and he and Bill Whisler otherwise prepared the soil.  In late April, 150 pounds of seed potatoes were planted.  The corn was sown a little later.  Again, our Lord favored us with an abundance of harvesters and corn which was donated to the Big Spring Area Food Bank (238 dozen), Project Share Food Bank (40 dozen), and BSULC members (37 dozen).  Corn on the cob was also served at the Fellowship Dinner on September 28.  The potatoes were raised in September and yielded between 30 and 35 bushels.  Again we were supported by our Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representatives, and caps and tee shirts were purchased as part of their donation to us for this project.  At our Harvest Home Sunday, all those who had helped with the garden were thanked and given the opportunity to receive a cap or tee shirt as a token of their effort.  It is hoped that we can build on our success in 2008 to have an even better garden in 2009!

The Worship and Music Committee meets regularly throughout the year.  Meetings are scheduled a month or two prior to the beginning of a new church season, at which time the services for that season are planned.  This past year, we added bi-monthly Sunday morning youth services to our calendar.  We have so much talent and a strong youth presence in our congregation.  It is a joy to witness as God brings forth these many blessings.  The Worship and Music, and Fellowship committees are planning a community gospel concert in the spring, and a celebration of music night and dinner in the fall.  Big Spring United will also be hosting a number of services in 2009; Ash Wednesday, Good Friday Liturgy, Blessing of the Animals, Seder Meal, and Lenten Service.

Our congregation is very active in our Sunday morning services as well as our special services.  The schedules for lectors, communion assistants, ushers, greeters, acolytes, torch and cross bearers, altar guild, and assisting ministers are filled for the coming year.  The chancel choir and orchestra are already planning their anthems for the Lenten and Easter season.  And, the Sunday morning youth service dates are set through spring.

• Sent Birthday, Anniversary and Get Well cards to BSULC members
• Served evening meals at “My Brother’s Table” at the Salvation Army facilities in Carlisle
• Donated non-perishable food items to the Big Spring Area Food Bank
• Church members have helped monthly to distribute food at the Big Spring Area Food Bank
• Our Garden’s produce of sweet corn and potatoes were given to the Big Spring Area Food Bank for distribution to area families
• Project Share received some sweet corn as well for distribution in Carlisle
• Big Spring United Lutheran Church members gave $161.20 in a special offering to help 3 families have a Merry Christmas
• Big Spring United Lutheran Church members visited and sang Christmas Carols to our shut-in members

From sending cards to Christmas Caroling – thanks to all for participating