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From the Pastor's Desk:
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Not a Resolution, but a Promise for 2010
In the writings of the New Testament, Jesus gave us a great model for carrying out ministry in his name. He did not make any New Year?s resolutions, but instead offered the promise to be among us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The very first thing the disciples proceeded to do was to gather together as one body in the Upper Room. There, they were found to be in constant prayer until the Holy Spirit came upon them, and then they went forth to witness to the world.
January is that time of year when the world makes its resolutions and promises as it begins a new year. This was a new beginning for the disciples as well. They had a promise from Christ, but their first action was to start off by being in prayer. Each of us will have new beginnings this year, too. It may be a new job, a new relationship, a new Bible study, a new confirmation class to attend, or starting a new position in the church where we have been called to serve and provide leadership. Whatever your new beginning might be, I would invite you to pray for one another as we move forward in this new year, just as the disciples prayed for one another after Jesus had shared these words with them.
I have made many resolutions over the years. Each time, as the days go by, it seems harder and harder to keep them. So this year, I am making a promise instead to Jesus, to you and to myself that as I start anything I do this year, I am first going to start it with prayer. My prayer will be to ask Jesus to support us in our endeavors and to thank him for providing us with everything we need to have to perform and carry out our responsibilities. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:4). God sent forth the Holy Spirit to those gathered together and gave them the ability. And so God has given to each one of us the ability to do what Jesus will have us do.
I hope and pray that each member of our church family will have a great and wonderful 2010 and that the power of the Holy Spirit will be with us.
Peace in the Happy New Year, 
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