I hope so very much for you that this Christmas season has been one of true celebration and joy! I read in the paper recently that more and more churches are offering something called a "Blue Christmas" service around the holidays. It is meant specifically for those who find the holidays less than joyful and downright depressing.

While I know it's my favorite season of the year, I can certainly see that for many, it is not. For so many, it represents loss and grief more than celebration and joy. If that is the case for you, I want you to know I may not know who you are, but I have asked the Lord this season to specifically grace you with His presence for healing and wholeness!

On behalf of John Cox, our Associate Pastor, myself, and our families, I want to say THANK YOU so much for the outpouring of cards and gifts we were recently given for Christmas. Thank You to the Church Council for initiating this outpouring! Thank You to all who gave so generously, blessing our socks off tremendously. You are a caring and loving group of people for whom I am proud to be called your Pastor. I know John and his family feel the same way.

I am reflecting on 2006 over these days that close the old year. The word God gave us for the year was BECOMING. Do you remember it? What has "become" of it for you? I am asking myself what the Lord has done this year, especially in the kind of person I have become these last 12 months. I encourage you to ask the Lord to help you see the fruit of His labor in you too.

I am looking forward to "A Promise for 2007", our annual time together with Roger Smets, who ministers in a naturally prophetic way. He'll bring the message on January 7 at both morning celebrations, along with ministering to a few people the Lord puts on his heart. Then, that evening at 6:00, we'll have an informal time where more personal ministry will be offered.

I am excited about the start of 2007, for myself personally, for my family, and for our church family. I sense the Lord bringing a fresh focus for life and ministry for 2007 as we continue serving Him together. I am anticipating sharing that focus in my annual "State of the Church" message on January 14, and hope you will be with us to jump on board!

I am specifically sensing that Jesus wants to do a fresh work in all of our hearts regarding RELATIONSHIPS. I am not sure how it will all unfold, but I believe the focus this year is to be on our relationships with Jesus (always first and foremost), with one another (families and friends) and with the world God has placed each of us in.

Speaking of relationships, our Men's Ministries are kicking off a new season of ministry. You can see the details in the column at the right, but I want to encourage ALL of our men to come and join us for this time together. Men, let's lead the way for the congregation by moving into stronger, deeper and more fruitful relationships during this breakfast together!

Looking forward to advanging God's Kingdom with you in 2007!