West Main

I've never been huge on New Year's. I am not "against it," I just don't see the big deal. We make resolutions that we should be doing all year-round anyway, and rarely do we stick to them (at least I don’t). So, this year I want to challenge us all to a broader resolution. It is not specific. In fact, it will look differently for all of us. But, if done...it will change the world. Are you ready? It is simply this: Create beautiful things. Contribute positively to the world and culture around you. Make things better than when you came. Add to the beauty. Let's see how beautiful we can make 2014 for this world! 

– Pannell

We come with beautiful secrets

We come with purposes written on our hearts, and our souls

We come to every new morning

With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces

Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty

To tell a better story

I want to shine with the light

That's burning up inside

It comes in small inspirations

It brings redemption to life and work

To our lives and our work

It comes in loving community

It comes in helping a soul find it's worth

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces

Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty

To tell a better story

I want to shine with the light

That's burning up inside

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful

This is grace, an invitation

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces

Calling out our best

And I want to add to the beauty

To tell a better story

I want to shine with the light

That's burning up inside.

"Add to the Beauty"- Sara Groves

WHERE WOULD WE BE?

“Where would we all be if Nelson Mandela had never lived?”  This question was asked on the front page of a prominent financial journal recently.  It calls for a backward look at what the world would be like without the example of an unjustly imprisoned man who survived bitterness to unite the blacks and whites in South Africa.  When ruling power over South Africa became his after many years in prison, he turned away from revenge to reconciliation, and set an example the world has seldom seen.  In recognition, one of the largest world gatherings of heads of state appeared to honor him at his funeral.

While we are thinking of the consequences of great example, it is an appropriate time to ask a still greater question.  “Where would we all be if Jesus Christ had never walked this earth?”  Yet only a handful of women visited his tomb – to find it empty.  Isaiah the prophet was right.  Men found little in him to be desired.  But the question persists, where would we all be if he had not been here?  A backward look here is needed too, and first at those things the civilized world counts as important today.

In a world where individuals mattered little and many were slaves, Jesus taught that one soul was worth more than the whole world.  He shamed his detractors by reminding them that they counted one lost sheep more valuable than a lost man.  See Luke 15:1-7.  In this encounter and many others he demonstrated concern for individuals.  Today, in the name of democracy, we honor the rights of each person.  Would that have happened without the influence of Jesus?  In this alone, we assert, he save civilization.

Today, women should be especially thankful for Jesus.  What was their status when he came?  Even Jesus’ disciples were surprised to see him talking to a Samaritan woman.  Most of that world withheld education from them.  Although the Law of Moses included rights for women, this was not the case in most of the world at that time.

In contrast, women were often in the company of Jesus and his disciples.  Many are named and honored for what they did.  Later, in the early churches we see women as hard workers in spreading the gospel of Christ.  See Romans 16 as an example of how they were regarded.  Jesus ushered in a world where his followers were “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 3:28)

One of the horrible blights in our dark world is the ongoing sale of children.  Jesus taught his disciples about their value and warned against their abuse.  See Matthew 18:1-5.  Today, civilized nations protect children, but from whom did we learn?

Yet Jesus did more than save civilization, and things that many people count as important today.  He came here to deal with man’s separation from God, which rises above all else in the needs of people.  In this he did what no earthly hero could ever have done.

– James Gibbs

Elder/Deacon Selection Forms are now available. They are located in the lobby and on the information booth in the courtyard. All forms need to be returned to the Elders by Sunday, January 19.

Prime Timers Luncheon  --  Prime Timers and Guests: please come join us for a New Year’s lunch at Elmer’s Restaurant on Biddle Road on Thursday, January 16, at noon. Please call Joan Tisdel to R.S.V.P. or if you need more information.

Lost and Found – Our lost and found is overflowing! Are you missing anything??? Please check the counter in the Fireside Room this Sunday to check for items you may be missing. All items not claimed will be donated to a good cause.

Prayer Requests . . . For Shirley Morgan as she recovers from pneumonia...For the friend of Mandy Breithaupt, Betty, who had heart surgery this past Monday...For Rosa Gomez who had surgery this past Thursday to remove a stage 4 cancerous brain tumor - she is thankful for your prayers, cards, and e-mails...For Gabby Dimas who is having some health problems, please pray that she gets good results from her tests...Praise and Thanksgiving - the brother-in-law of Diane Liles, Willy, is doing well and healing from his bypass surgery; her Aunt Darla, is doing well from her surgery; and Diane’s father, Virgil, is healing well after his hip-replacement surgery...For all of our kids who returned to school this week and for their semester finals to go well...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

November Financial Statement

INCOME:

EXPENSES:

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January Servers

Coffee Server: Lois Smith

Nursery: Jan 12: Kristy & Dalton Moreno

               Jan 19, 26: Chaley & Naomi Johnson

***Volunteers are needed for 2014!!!***

Greeters: Trevor & Jennielle Denn

                John & Charlotte Winters

Children’s Worship Server: Hannah King

December Attendance

1^st Sunday   263     

2^nd Sunday  114 

3^rd Sunday  262

4^th Sunday  n/a

5^th Sunday  244

Calendar of Events

Jan 16: Prime Timers Lunch at Elmer’s Restaurant; 12:00 p.m.

Jan 19: Elder Selection Forms Due

Jan 26: Wedding Shower for Ashley Denn and Jed Rennels;

            After p.m. services; FSR; Bring Finger Foods