Pastors Page

January Monthly Letter

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a wonderful 2009 with my new church family. I believe God is going to continue to do amazing things with us, and through us this year. Our estimate of giving is up this year which will allow some of the committees to try new things and offer new opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship.One new opportunity I am very excited about this year, is the congregation-wide mission trip to the Appalachian Mountains with an organization called Appalachia Service Project (APS). This organization offers church groups the opportunity to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically through its work with families in need in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. Each year about 15,000 volunteers, age 14 and above, from across the United States will participate with ASP, providing home repair assistance to about 400-500 families in need. While they strive to make homes warmer, safer, and drier, ASP is also a relational ministry. They encourage their volunteers to take time to get to know the families they are serving. Often the ASP experience serves to enlighten everyone involved that the differences between us are only perceived. Deep down, we all want to be loved, to belong, to own something, and to create something worthwhile--no matter where we live, what our economic status might be, our educational level, ethnic identity. No one walks away from the ASP experience unchanged--not families served, volunteers, or staff. Volunteer groups sign up for a week of service in one of the 25 communities we serve. Groups arrive on Sunday afternoon, put in five days of home repair and relationship building with the families we serve, and depart on Saturday morning. If you are the slightest bit interested in finding out a little bit more about this new opportunity for 2009 then I invite you to an informational session immediately following worship on Sunday, January 11th in the Session room. Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions in hopes of creating a new or better you by trying something different. I pray this year you will resolve to do something new, to step out of your comfort zone, and create an even better you by getting involved in a new way here with your church family. Getting involved in a new way may mean a mission trip or it may mean starting a new Bible study. Either way, I hope you’ll step out and try something new. May God use us all to glorify God’s Kingdom this new year. Happy New Year,

Andy