As I write this, I am thinking a lot about sunrises. This morning’s sunrise was breathtaking – the pinks and oranges and yellows reflecting off the snow and glowing through the trees. It was almost worth it to go outside in the cold and enjoy it in person! Mornings hold the promise of a new day – new possibilities – and, as God declares, new mercies! Amen! And every morning we have new opportunities to do the good works that God has prepared for us to do with Him.

Which leads me to another thing I am thinking about, which is the good works, the selfless acts that have occurred this week. I know about people in our church plowing neighbor’s drives, shoveling sidewalks, bringing food to those who need it, visiting those hospitalized, giving comfort and praying for those who are struggling, caring for other people’s children, providing financial support to those in sudden need… I could go on! We are a caring and serving church eager to minister to those around them. Let’s keep up the good works!

The final thing in all the thinks I’ve been thinking is how Christmas is fast approaching. Two weeks away! I pray that you would look for ways to point to Jesus and His reasons for coming to earth those 2000+ years ago. May we all share the true reasons for the season with all we meet! 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:26-33

-- In faith, Pastor Eric