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I know, I know, we are already almost 2 weeks into the new year and so this is a little late, but I will wish you a happy new year anyways! So Happy New Year! The new year can bring a mix of emotions, maybe it's excitement about leaving a poor year behind and looking ahead to better things, maybe it's the end of a great year and feeling apprehension about what's to come. We know that each year has its own ups and downs, its own share of challenges and triumphs, and we also know that no matter what comes, that God is still God and he is in control.

This is one of the themes of our Revelation sermon series that we will get back into this Sunday (the 15th)- that no matter what the world looks like, God is in control of it, and his plans will come to pass. We need not fear nor worry, for the Lord is with us;

"And behold, I am with you, even to the end of the age." Matt 28:20b

As we embark on this coming year, may it be one that exemplifies these words of scripture:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 11:19-25

Look at the things in this passage that would be good plan for this year - "let us draw near to God", "let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess", "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (not giving up meeting together,) but encouraging one another", and let us do all this more and more as we "see the Day approaching".

Let's make this year a year we look back on and say with confidence - I did those things and I experienced the blessing of the Lord in greater ways than ever before. Let's not forget why we can do this; "we have confidence to enter by the blood of Jesus", our "great priest", we are "cleansed from a guilty conscience and washed with pure water", "for he who promised is faithful." What amazing promises for us!

I am looking forward to this year, to growing in my faith alongside you and to leading the church along with the elders so that all of us will grow in our walk with God. God is doing something in His church, how blessed are we that we get to take part in it together!

~Pastor Steve