Layperson of the Year

Each year we recognize a member in our church family who goes above and beyond the normal church attendance. A person (or couple) who is always willing to go that extra mile for the cause of Christ and good of the church is selected Layperson of the Year. With the majority vote of the congregation under the auspices of the Church Council, the recipient is granted this award with a lunch fellowship on the month of June.

Past recipients: Betty Hickey (1992); Doris Porter (1993); Jim Hickey (1994); Ken Meader (1995); Phyllis Knight (1996); David Williams and Andrew Nowak (1997); Charles Henry (1998); Yvel Sylvain (1999); Sharon Strum (2000); Lisa Jacobson (2001); Charles Huddy (2002); Marilyn Glover (2003); Jose Lantin, Jr. (2004); Frank and Irene Hofmann (2005), Noreen Jacobson (2006) , Mark and Dottye Foxon (2007). , Steven Lacey (2008) , Claire Stevens (2009), Paul Patrie (2010), Launa Cooper (2011)

Layperson of the Year 2012 - John Nowak

John Nowak has been selected as our Layperson of the Year by the Church Council, based on the number of nominations he received and the many reasons cited.

John has literally grown up in our church - attending Sunday school and youth group, singing in the children’s choir and ringing in the youth hand bell choir, and serving as a deacon. John was baptized in our church in 1996.

He currently serves as a congregational representative on the Church Council, Sunday school teacher and Head Usher.

While he is quite visible, the myriad of tasks he undertakes frequently go unnoticed ... until now.

Below are excepts from some of the nominations that highlight the reason John is this year’s honoree:

A few words to describe John would be - always pleasant, dependable and a gentleman. I feel John deserves this honor because to me there does not seem to be a task, large or small, that John is not willing to tackle with ease and confidence.

Congenial - Cooperative - Caring - Cheerful – always willing to go that extra mile.

John is an outstanding example of a Christian. He grew up in this church and has been a dedicated participant in all aspects of the life of our church. From opening the gates to greeting the people coming through them, John is one of the “first impressions” people have of us and we are fortunate, in this age when young adults appear to be in short supply in church leadership roles, to have John as a “face of First Baptist.”

John Nowak does whatever is asked of him. .... John spends Sundays, while we are in the Parlor, out in the hall protecting the building - and does not get to enjoy the heat in the winter months or the cool in the summer. He greets everyone with his warm and genuine smile each Sunday morning. John has been an active and faithful member, and it has been a pleasure to see him grow from a toddler to the man of God he is today.

John has quietly worked for years, since he was a young child, in our church. He is always present, always working, always demonstrating our church motto.

Since he was a small boy, John has been a perfect member. At about 5 or 6 he would sit in the front pew with the other children, and he was the only one with an open Bible - just because he wanted to. He helps on everything that is needed. He is dedicated and loves his church and serves constantly.

We will honor John at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on June 3 and the catered luncheon that follows immediately after the service. Tickets for the meal ($8) may be purchased through the church office or at Coffee Hour on May 20 and 27.

Pastor Martha Dominy

Rev. Martha Dominy has been serving the church for 22 years and became Senior Pastor in 1997 to the present.