A Letter from the Pastor

Happy New Year!!!  I find it hard to believe that we are beginning the second decade of the twenty-first century.  However, time marches on and 2010 is here.   I certainly pray that 2010 is a blessed year for your household.  I hope that the Holidays gave you an opportunity to stop and reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.

I have already started pondering what new things this year may have in store on the personal level and for our church.  As always I see challenges and opportunities that we will face.  One of the challenges that we face is that God has called us to do more than we are capable of doing.  At first glance this looks like a challenge; however, it is actually an opportunity for us to experience God using us for His purposes instead of working out of our strength.

The New Year also means that newly elected leaders will be assuming their responsibilities.  This may seem like a challenge to some of you who are gaining new positions, but truly those tasks are new opportunities to serve God through the life of the church.  It also gives me an opportunity to get to know some of you in a different capacity.

Opportunities in mission also abound as this year takes off.  The ministry with amputees in Guatemala is going to get rolling strong this year and the Lord only knows how we as a church will get further involved with its advancement.  Then there is the Costa Rica mission trip coming up in June.  We have 19 people who have signed up to go on our church's first mission trip.  These are wonderful opportunities in the life our our church.

WE also have new opportunities and possibilities coming up in children's ministry this year.  The old saying "children are our future" applies just as much to the church as it does any other area in our society.  So it is nice to look forward to a greater investment in their lives as we begin this year.  It looks like the your are starting the New Year all bright and shiny.  If you don't believe me just stop by the youth lounge and see for yourself.

With all the possibilities in the coming year the one I like the most is growing stronger in my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Yes, every New Year gives us another opportunity to work out our sanctification.  The thought that I get to do that in ministry with you will make this a blessed year.

Blessings

Rev. Jimmy Cook                  1/1/2010