I hope that you are enjoying this amazing spring weather in January. Yesterday I saw azaleas blooming in the church yard and daffodils at home! I actually prefer each season to stick to its own quarter, but trying to control the weather is a bit like trying to herd cats.

I hope you will be able to join us for our first Winterfest at church on Saturday, January 25. From 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. we will have a talent show, cake walks, a live auction, a chili cook-off and intermittent keyboard music from our very own Frank Breazeale. I am going to dust off my saxophone and play a few old favorites. This should be a lot of fun and great fellowship.

This is annual reporting time, and Virginia is busy preparing the report, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the congregation on February 9th during lunch. We had a very good year last year, receiving 29 new members and finishing in a good financial position. Thank you all for your generous stewardship, which made all this possible. I am looking forward to Youth Sunday on February 2, when our Middle and High School students will be leading worship with a special appearance by our children’s Joyful Noise Choir. I continue to marvel at the great job Nancy and Frank do with our music program. We are truly blessed to have their talented, committed leadership.

This is the time of year for New Year’s resolutions, when we resolve to improve our lifestyles. Gym memberships, exercise and weight-loss clinics, and smoking cessation classes soar in January. This is a noble human endeavor, but experience shows that these good intentions fall by the wayside by the vernal equinox. As the Apostle Paul put it, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” My father must have enjoyed quitting smoking; he did so about sixty times. But those of us follow Christ have an advantage at self-improvement that others do not: the Holy Spirit.

Just before Jesus left this world, he told the disciples that God the Father would be sending them a special gift, the Holy Spirit who would be for them a comforter, guide, and advocate. Several times in the Bible when God called someone to undertake a daunting task, most often the person hesitated, feeling inadequate for the task. But God always said, in effect, “Do not be afraid. You will not be alone. I will go with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.” This awareness has helped billions of people overcome problems and reach unthinkable goals throughout history.

So the next time you resolve to make a big change or tackle what seems to be an insurmountable problem, remember Jesus’ promise that we do not do this alone. Through prayer and the support of sisters and brothers in Christ, we are never alone. We have a powerful advocate at our side to help us do amazing things. Thanks be to God! Happy New Year! May the force (of God’s generous, loving, empowering grace) be with you. See you in church!

• A talent show – sign up to participate (or prompt your loved one/friends to do so!). See Amy Rhoades or Millie Swan for info.
• Festive cake walk –Several cake walks will be held.
• Live auction – Homemade/handmade goodies, as well as other donated items, are welcome! The Mission Team welcomes all vacation stays, tickets, gift cards, or other fun experiences to be donated for auction.
• Limited number of baskets – look for the bins in the narthex to donate items. The goal is to have a good number of fun, affordable baskets for your strategic bidding. Items needed include:
  • Gender-neutral baby items
  • Valentine's Day delights and treats
  • Spring Garden items
  • Coffee Fix
  • 'Pamper Me' goodies
  • Date Night (cheese, crackers, beverages, etc.)
• Chili Cook-off – Sign up in the narthex to enter your savory creation.