We have begun the new year. Our church family is full of anticipation, expectation and jubilation!

We have anticipation that God is going to do something wonderful. Because He has brought quite a few new people into our community of faith, we are watching for how He wants us to mature in faith, help our community and be His hands and heart this year. We are helping newbies to find their place in the family. There are children, parents, young adults, widows, single parents, retirees, and grandparents. Everyone needs love, a purpose and "to belong."  That takes time and deliberate relationship building. 

 We have expectations, too! HOPE, our missional statement is HOPE like never before, is defined as JOYFUL EXPECTATION of GOOD from GOD. We expect Father to meet us as we come to Him. He gives wisdom, discernment, strength, power and everything we need to do His will. Hope, Joy, Peace and Love will thrive in that environment of forgiveness, common unity, humility, grace and mercy towards one another. 

We have jubilation for the new faces, new families, new friends and new gifts, talents and resources that are coming into our church. God is moving, so we are excited for how the new people will bring us what God wants us to have for His mission. We love meeting and getting to know folks who are walking the same path as us. We get excited about watching them grow in faith, mature in their minds and hearts to begin reaching outward and use their gifts. We praise God for all good things... even the ones who challenge us to love them in spite of their own issues (and we all have issues of some sort).

God grant us wisdom, loving obedience to your Word and joy in the journey this year. It's going to be interesting!

Shalom/Peace, y'all.

Maranatha! He's coming back.