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“A Truly Good Journey”

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Where are you heading in the New Year? An English writer once made this observation about the English sparrow. The English sparrow is a small bird. Each one weighs about an ounce and a quarter. Like all birds that migrate each year in the fall and in the spring they take off into the unknown, committing themselves to the air to fly over the ocean where there are no landmarks to give them any direction. Even though there are no landmarks out over the ocean, without any hesitation, every spring and fall thousands of them take off for their destination. The birds do this by blind trust in their instincts.

This migration, the writer says, is a good example of what our journey is like in life, especially as we begin a New Year. We have no idea of where we are going. There are all kinds of things ahead we cannot foresee. In January we remember the journey of the Wise Men that came to see the newborn Christ Child. Like the migrating birds they had no idea of where they were going. There would be difficulties to be encountered. Who knows what the trip cost them? Following their instincts and a single star they arrived at the place where they could worship the newborn King and present their gifts.

In this New Year we don’t know where we will end up. But like the migrating birds, or the Wise Men we are setting out on the journey through time in the New Year. We let go and let the wind (the Holy Spirit) take us to our destination. There is no turning back once we have started because the sky is a big place, and we had better stay with the flock. The image of the little English sparrows flying over the ocean, fighting storms and winds to get to their destination, and the journey of the Wise Men are good symbols for us. God’s Word is our star. We will encounter difficulties. The trip is going to cost a great deal. But in the end we will arrive at that place where we can worship and present our gifts to the newborn Christ, who becomes our Crucified Savior, and our Risen Lord.

Our Call to Discipleship begins with the Call to Worship, to be with the flock, and then to go and serve, until we reach our final destination. It will be a good journey because Jesus, Emmanuel (“God with Us”) is with us. Happy New Year!

—Pastor Ron

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news & events

January 2012 Offering Envelopes

Offering Envelopes for 2012 are out on tables outside the sanctuary and ready to be picked up. If you do not see yours, please call the office.

January 15 St. John’s WINGS Sunday

On Sunday, January 15, the women will be conducting the service. Our guest speaker will be Kay Weaver, who currently is serving on the Executive Council for the NALC. Officers, Committee Chairs, and Circle Leaders will be installed during the service. We need your help in the choir. We will meet in the choir room at 10:00 am on Sunday morning, January 15. Remember any woman who has helped or contributed to a project sponsored by WINGS is a participant – whether you attend a circle or not. So come help us celebrate the women of St. John’s.

January 15 Iredell Christian Ministries Collection

On Sunday, January 15, we will collect the following items: deodorant (men & women), pasta noodles, and jellies/jams. Some items are always in short supply: baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and black pepper. Your generosity throughout the year has been wonderful. In 2011, St. John’s donated 1640 pounds of food with 314 pounds collected in November – thanks to the Youth Ministry Project!

January 22 Pastor Bean Leading Service

Pastor Bean will be conducting our worship service, and following the service, there will be a congregational meeting at which time we will vote on extending a call to him. The Council and Call Committee have met with Pastor Bean and he was selected by acclamation as the candidate to present to the congregation. Included with this letter is Pastor Bean’s biographical sketch.

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