Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is Twenty Ten! Can you get your mind around that? It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. I hope ya'll have a wonderful 2010, and that the peace of God guide and nourish your faith because of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

My thanks, and I know yours too, to God for another safe season of holiday travel. It sounds like everyone is back home, or back to school and all is well.

During the Christmas season I heard several people reflect on how they wished that people lived year around the way they live during the season of joy and peace. I want to challenge us to take this to heart. It would be an absurdity unlike any if we ever had the impression that Christian peace and joy are seasonal. Whatever it is that makes this time of year special for you is probably something very needed and real throughout the rest of the year. Advent (the birth of Christ) is followed by the rough and tumble of everyday, small things that are life. Jesus took on flesh and blood to live, to flesh out the life of God that God wanted for us all. Every day and moment, whether the circumstance before us is big or small, is an opportunity to live out the life of God for which we've been called. May the season of joy and peace maintain in our hearts and faith no matter when it is or what's happening.

Check the prayer list. I know a number of people had surgeries or the loss of loved ones during the last several weeks. Our prayers ascend in behalf of Jeanette Knaupp whose mother passed away this last week. She was truly a woman of faith, and always an encourager. She turned 99 the day she breathed her last breath. John Sweetens father, George, is doing better regarding cancer, yet he needs prayer that he can regain his strength. This doesn't exhaust the many prayer needs presently.

We'll resume our Wednesday adult classes beginning Jan. 6th. John Cearley is teaching Exodus in the auditorium; a book reading/discussion class is being held in the library. In this class we'll be finishing up the book: 'In Search of God Knows What' by Don Miller.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

Love, Randy