Happy New Year, Friends.
2021 is gone, but not forgotten. I must say, there have been many lessons to learn and carry forward into 2022. It has not been an easy year for many of us, but, as I look back on this year, I am reminded of that all-famous story of the Footprints. On a table by my bed is a carved, wooden box which was given to me by my maternal grandmother. Here is what that box looks like:
2021 is gone, but not forgotten. I must say, there have been many lessons to learn and carry forward into 2022. It has not been an easy year for many of us, but, as I look back on this year, I am reminded of that all-famous story of the Footprints. On a table by my bed is a carved, wooden box which was given to me by my maternal grandmother. Here is what that box looks like:
When you look back on 2021, where during the year did you see only one set of footprints? For me, it was a lot of times. My heart is full of gratitude to everyone who was a part of helping carry me this past year. But I look back and see only one set of footprints: even though there were dozens of human feet, hands and even 3 sets of dog paws, 2 sets of cat paws, I see just one set of footprints back there. This is because God took all of your hands and feet, at various times when I needed them, and worked through you.
In 2022, where do you see God using your hands and feet? Maybe let your heart be the guide and become the "adoptive parent" of a ministry in our church:
- Maintaining the Travelers' Food Pantry
- Help take down Christmas Decorations and/or help decorate the church for other seasons
- Backup persons to take church attendance and watch sound system if Robin is gone
- Become an "apprentice" to leadership on a committee. What I mean by this is you could "learn the ropes" in church leadership by taking up a smaller role. Presbyterian Women could use some fresh faces.
- Maintain the church library
- Agree to host one or two church potlucks during the year. (we need about 1-2 people per month)
- Work on a new mission idea so we could apply for a mission grant
- Help our Building & Grounds Elder (right now it is Richard Randals). This is probably one of the most complex responsibilities and if any area needs support persons, Building & Grounds would be it. Thank you, Richard, for helping us work out the many different repairs, etc. this last year.
- Come to Bible Study - get nourished with Scripture and fellowship.
- Conduct "Market Research" on our Church - how are we meeting the spiritual needs of our community? What are those needs?
I have many more ideas, and maybe you do too! I would like to also point out that while there will always be a need for me to visit people, provide pastoral care and fellowship to you, right now I do not have any people in as dire distress as last year. This means that perhaps 2022 is our opportunity to focus on where we want to go and how we would like to grow. I am free to visit with you, cry with you, share a cup of coffee. But I will also be asking some new questions - questions which I didn't have as much time to ponder until now. Let's ponder - like Mary as she watched our Savior grow up - ponder what God is saying to us as a congregation.
Prayer Requests:
Amy (Glenna Gray’s daughter) chronic medical issues
Betty (Alzheimer’s) and Dolores (paralyzed) – Glenda’s sisters
Elmer Schuster - leg pain
Fay Birch – stage 4 cancer
Glenda Coles – awaiting shoulder surgery
Gloria Martinez (Teresa Gallegos’ sister) – healing after leg surgery
Lucy Jasper – Alzheimers/Dementia
Misty Tompkins and her family – stiff person syndrome, seeking experimental program
People seeking jobs, and people seeking employees
Ruth Johnson – for general health
Sarah Hittson's daughter Marie - surgery
Schools, students, teachers and families
Sharon and Wayne Huffman – general health
Shay – Julie Sursa’s daughter
Susie – still seeking a car, planning for EMS school, her daughter who commutes a lot to Logan
Tommy Morris – for health and strength
Travelers
All those suffering from COVID19
Please let me know if you have any updates to this list. I could use your help with that.
This week we are back to "normal" (that's supposed to make you laugh!)
Today - Pastor observes a Sabbath
Today, Wednesday and Friday at 10: Exercise, Eat and Pray
Tomorrow at Noon: Yoga
Sunday at 9:30 Session Meeting
Sunday at 11:00AM Worship
Elders: Please do not forget to email your reports to [email protected]. She said it is easiest if you simply email your report to her and she can "copy and paste" your report into the Annual Report. She will need time to get it assembled for everyone to see. Thank you.
Green Chile Gals: I do not know if the "Gals" will be meeting tonight or next week. Probably next week is better because of the holiday.
I do hope that you all enjoyed watching the beautiful snow come down on New Year's Day. I am sure that some of us wish we'd received more moisture, but it was a blessing to receive even that. (I'm hoping we get more eventually!) It is often a hard call on whether to cancel church, as it must be done by about 9AM. Thanks to our Elders who were able to discuss and guide us to a decision. Of course, by 11AM, the snow was melting and the sun was out.
I do look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Sunday, January 9th is the Sunday dedicated to the baptism of our Lord.
Friends, make it a great week!
Blessings and hugs,
Rev. Amy
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