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Let's Talk About Worship

 In 2002 the book “The Purpose Driven Life” hit bookshelves all around the country and maybe even the world.  Pastor Rick Warren’s book struck a chord with many as the book flew off the shelves.  It certainly outsold his book from 1995 entitled “The Purpose Driven Church” and his then youth minister’s book entitled,  “The Purpose Driven Youth Ministry” from 1998.  To summarize all three of these books, Pastor Rick and Doug suggest that churches, youth ministries, and individuals exist for five purposes:  outreach, worship, discipleship, ministry, and fellowship.   These ideas come from a close study of Acts 2 where we read, “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to
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God Is With Us

  Just one month to go.  So near, yet so far.  31 days until 2020 ends and 2021 begins.   And what a year it has been.  And not unlike other years, as we move to the close, we might do a bit of reflecting.  Recalling both the struggles and the celebrations.  Remembering the ups and the downs.  Babies were born.  Families lost loved ones.  There were new jobs and promotions.  There were graduation and retirements.  Some got married, others, well you know what I mean.  There were good times and bad. But throughout 2020, every year prior, and every year to come, there is one constant.  God is with us.  Through every joy and every sorrow, from every mountaintop to every valley, God is with us.  God promises His people in His word, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the “Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Someone has said the command “Do not be afraid” or something very similar is found in the
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New Year's Resolutions

 Happy New Year! I know I opened my newsletter last month with those same words.  Then we were recalling that Advent begins the new year for the Christian calendar, but the New Year most of us are familiar with is the one that is marked by January 1, and the celebrations that take place the night before. My family has traditionally used New Year’s Eve as our Christmas celebration.  My folks come sometime in the early/late afternoon, we open Christmas presents, have dinner, play games and eat snacks the rest of the night while the kids watch tv.  Eventually, someone will note that it’s almost midnight and we gather around the tv, watch the ball drop, hug and kiss, say goodnight and go to bed.   Now, I have to say this time of year is probably one of my favorites because in the final few hours of the year, I imagine all the possibilities of a brand new 365 days laying out like blank sheets of paper all waiting to have their story written.  Will it be a year of joys and successes?  What s
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