FBCL Family, 

Jan. 1- No bible study

Jan. 6 Epiphany

January 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

January 19- Annual Meeting

January 19- 3rd Sunday Potluck- Bring your favorite soup to share!

January 20- Office closed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Church Family,

Happy New Year! The New Year is always a busy and exciting time. It reminds us that with the seasons of life comes the opportunity to be a part of something new and a rekindling our passions. I think that it is only fitting that we as the Body of Christ recognize and embrace this feeling of newness within our congregation. For the past couple of months, we have been on a journey to get to know one another and to discern where the Spirit of God is taking us. It is only right to continue this searching through the Holy Spirit. With the new year comes a new set of challenges and blessings that we are invited to be a part of! Our God is a good God that offers us newness by giving us new life in Christ and new ways to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Last year, the theme verse focused on our need to abide in Christ. This year, our theme verse will be Isaiah 43:19, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The people of Israel were in exile again, when Isaiah spoke these words. He wanted to remind the Israelite people that God had liberated them from slavery in Egypt and that God can do it again. It is through God’s power alone that God can make “a way in the wilderness” and “rivers in a desert.” One commentator, James Newsome, says this, “Perhaps this passage might be summarized: The Lord is on the verge of doing such a startlingly new thing that models for this impending act of grace.” We serve a God that lives. A God that we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Emmanuel (Isaiah 9:6). This year let us begin to discern and live into the idea that God is bring about something new in our congregation and it is God’s power that we rest in. We are just lucky enough to be invited to be a part of what God is doing. God is doing something new! What might God be doing new in your own heart, this congregation, and this community this year? May our eyes and hearts be open for the moving of the Spirit of God!

Peace,

Pastor Joy