Location: White Lake, N.Y. Presbytery: Atlantic Organized: 1808 Membership: 87 communicant; 17 baptized Pastor: David Coon (Cathy)

What is it about the White Lake RPC community that attracts all sorts of people from different walks of life? White Lake is filled with an unusual allotment of different personalities, and variety brings its share of disagreements; but a love for the lost and a desire to serve those in need form the heart and mission of this church.

My husband, Mike, and I were married in August 2003. We became a blended yet unified family with five burgeoning adolescents. Mike was teaching Sunday school at White Lake RPC where God had planted him to serve. This 50-minute drive to church, in addition to our children’s responsibilities locally, limited our involvement. Though I left behind a wonderful local body of believers that I am still fond of, I soon realized how special White Lake is.

When I arrived, I was immediately taken in by Pastor Dave and Cathy, as well as by the members’ big hearts and caring attitudes. The worship service was filled with reverence for our Lord, a special time to teach children God’s truth, sound preaching, and intimate corporate prayer time to share our concerns and needs here and beyond the confines of our walls. I couldn’t help but notice our congregation was driven to save and serve the lost.

Despite White Lake RPC’s small size, our outreach to each other and the community is diversified and at times even unusual. The desire to finish Faith Hall next door was an ongoing burden for many. In God’s perfect time, this two-story, eight-year project became a reality in June 2003. The Shepherd’s Food Pantry began that same month. So many families in need entered our doors for help, and we were there to love and serve them in a tangible way. The seniors’ monthly luncheon began the following spring. Planned activities and meals welcomed these ageless adults to an afternoon of fun. Our successful yearly carnival was another huge undertaking to reach out to local people. They enjoyed an affordable fun afternoon with their families and were introduced to our congregation. This year our outreach took place at our town’s bicentennial celebration.

Kids for Christ has been in operation for many years now. Dave and Cathy Coon, who have always had a burden for the lost, often drive around the neighborhood in the old church van to pick up kids for youth group and Sunday school.

We love our pastor and his wife. Cathy has gone above and beyond; working hard and holding special events like the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. (Rumor had it that Marilyn Monroe might make a star appearance, and she did!)

Weekly Bible studies have been an important part of our growth as believers. We trust God and pray that other ministries such as our teenage outreach will continue to make a difference. We enjoy regular times of fellowship, have a number of fundraisers and are always looking for new faces to join us.

Bethel Woods (remember Woodstock?) celebrated its 40th anniversary this month, and the local roads were filled with people arriving to hear Bob Dylan and others. Our congregation constructed a float replica of our church building and hall. In addition, we opened an outreach booth to once again be a beacon in the darkness.

Prayer Requests

Pray for those with chronic and acute health needs, especially Ingeborg Blythe who is battling another serious bout of oral cancer.

Pray that God would use community outreach ministries to add at least two new families with children to their communion.

Ask God for a solid core of young people who know Christ as they replenish their youth group with younger, community folk.

—Mary Jean DeSocio