Dear Friends in Christ,

     Our Advent and Christmas celebrations were wonderful in 2011! From the remarkable presentation of the Christmas Cantata by the Chancel Choir (to a standing ovation of sustained applause), to the delightful White Gifts evening program presented by our youth group, our offerings of praise to God were a blessing! The families that led us each Sunday during Advent in the lighting of the candles on the Advent Wreath did a great job, and for the first time we had a service focused on "The Hanging of the Greens." Every heart was blessed during our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service, as we knelt together to remember the purposes for which the Christ Child was born. So a resounding "Thank You!" is in order for everyone who made all of this possible.

     Now we are entering a new year. On the first Sunday we will share a service of Baptismal Covenant Renewal during which time we will renew our baptismal vows, recommitting ourselves to Christ and to the sharing of HIs love and grace with everyone we meet in the new year. Of course, the new year brings "resolution" making, doesn't it? We reflect over the year past, gaze ahead into the unknown, and decide what the most important things for us to focus on might be. For some, it's a resolution concerning practices that might lead to improved health; for others, the resolution might be to do better on the job; still others may decide to take that long planned trip, or to take up that new hobby. Some make resolutions that have to do with character traits: better control of anger, leading a more disciplined life, forgiving an offense, asking for forgiveness, daily reading of scripture and an intentional devotional life, and doing a daily kindness for others. Whatever the resolution you may be pondering, we all recognized that the new year gives us a structured chance to be intentional about those things we feel would make us better, happier, and more fulfilled persons.

     For some, the new year has brought difficult changes: A loved one recently died, and now the prospect of entering into a new year without him or her seems daunting, indeed. How will one fill the days that feel empty now, or find a new purpose now that shared dreams, hopes, and goals have come to an end:? There is always a danger in coming up with "easy answers" to these dilemmas, and I'd like to avoid doing that. Some things in life are simply difficult to deal with, and the loss of a loved one is one of those things. The new year brings with it, then, the challenge of a new beginning, while still holding on to those cherished memories and relationships that have sustained us over the years. A new beginning sometimes means a complete break with some things in our past. But a new beginning for the child of God is better compared to the building of a magnificent edifice that glorifies God and becomes a thing of beauty. It involves building on a foundation already laid, a foundation of love, trust, hope, and goodness. The new year invites us to add to that edifice, enhancing and beautifying it all the more. So, as you begin the new year, embracing the changes that you face, hold fast to God's love and the assurance of God's promises. Pray for the sustaining guidance of God's Holy Spirit. Remind yourself daily that the steadfast love of God for you endures forever, and that "Immanuel" (God with us) will never leave you or forsake you.

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church,

Bob

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