Dear First Pres,

What a wonderful Advent and Christmas season it has been -- many thanks to each one of the eighty people who planned and participated in bringing our Christmas Eve worship services to life.  It's always exciting to see the sanctuary filled with people worshiping the Newborn King, and knowing that the gospel is being proclaimed in word, song, and prayer.  What happens after all the poinsettias come down?  Well, if you were to come into the office, you'd find the non-vacationing staff members gathered for prayer on Tuesday morning.  One of the things we prayed for was that God would grow the seeds that were planted in the hearts of everyone who attended on Christmas Eve.  Would you join us in that prayer?  There is Joy TO the World, because the Savior is born to you!  Hallelujah!

     If you weren't here on Sunday, or if you don't remember your "homework" from the sermon, I encouraged everyone to rejoice this week in the fact that God pursues every single lost sheep until He finds it.  If you know Jesus, you can rejoice at being found!  Do something tangible every day to express the joy salvation brings.  Part of our rejoicing is to anticipate meeting at Jesus' far-reaching, boundary-breaking table this coming Sunday, and you are invited because you are loved.  Invite someone else to come, taste and see that the Lord is good!

     I like sharing Communion on the first Sunday of the New Year.  It reminds us that we are a community with a purpose: to engage together in Christ's work of making disciples for the redeeming transformation of our city and world.  May 2015 find us living more and more fully into that purpose for God's glory.

Blessings and Happy New Year Friends,

Lana Roberts