Coming Up Sunday, January 8

On Sunday, we will begin a monthlong sermon series in worship.  "Quo Vadimus: Where Are We Going?" raises the question of the potential of church in the modern age.  To begin with, we will spend a couple of weeks considering where the church is now and how it got this way.  This Sunday, we will look at the last 50 years of American Christianity, what is usually considered "The Decaying Church" -- an attitude that I think is much too pessimistic.

Also on Sunday, we will official install our new 2012 officers.  Please come to show your support for these individuals as they serve on our behalf in the coming year.

January 1 Worship: "A Reckoning"

Many of us gathered in the bright sunshine Sunday morning to worship on the first morning of the new year.  As might be expected, New Year's resolutions were mentioned a few times, during the time with children, during the offering meditation, and during the sermon.

If you missed Sunday's sermon on Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), or if you want to hear it again or share it with others, you may find it here.

A Prayer for the New Year, from Sharon Watkins

Last week, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, the president and general minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offered a prayer for this new year.  If you did not see it, you can read it here.

Happy New Year!

As we turn the page from 2011 to 2012, it is a good opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the things that are most important to us.  Perhaps you are one of those who will start a new diet or exercise program.  Or maybe you've promised yourself to quit one annoying habit this year.  Or maybe you've decided that you're going to make an effort to be in touch more with family and friends.

Perhaps you'd like to improve your relationship with God in 2012.  If so, here are a few suggestions of things you might do in key areas of faith: prayer, study, giving, and loving.

Prayer

Prayer takes practice and experience.  It becomes easier to talk with God and listen to God the more we do it.  Prayers can be long, but sometimes only a few words are necessary.  Sometimes we just need a quiet space to breath and listen for God.  Things you might try to improve your prayer life this year:

• Pray every day at the same time -- in the morning, before a meal, on your coffee break, before you go to bed.
• Find one thing to thank God for each day.
• Say a short prayer whenever you think about God, Jesus, the church, or prayer.
• Leave yourself notes in various places reminding you to pray.
• Find a few minutes each week when you can silently meditate and listen for God's guidance.

Study

Our faith becomes more mature the better we understand God's teaching and wisdom for our lives.  The best way to learn these things is to study the Bible on a regular basis.  Things you might try to study God's wisdom this year:

• Read a chapter of Scripture every day at the same time -- when you wake up, before bed, during your lunch break.
• Spend a few dollars and buy a daily devotional to use every day.
• Attend Sunday School and Bible study classes at church.
• Have a daily Bible reading emailed to you.

Giving

A key part of Jesus' teaching is to share what we have with others around us, sometimes with people we know and sometimes with people we'll never meet.  We are asked to share the best of ourselves -- our time, our talents, our money, our prayers -- with those who may be blessed by our giving.  Things you might try to improve your giving this year:

• Give money to organizations (in the church, community, or beyond) that reach out to help those in need.
• Volunteer once a month.  Don't know where?  Ask people at the church or your neighbors -- they'll have plenty of suggestions.
• Use your hands and get dirty.  You don't have to be the best cook, carpenter, or gardener to help others with your labor.
• Pray for someone you think needs extra prayers.

Loving

After all, God is love.  We have the opportunity to share God's love and God's acceptance with those around us.  Thing you might try to be more loving this year:

• Forgive.  Often resentment and anger are the things that get in the way of love.
• Never miss an opportunity to reach out and touch someone with a handshake, a hug, a kiss, or a pat on the back.
• Smile.
• Send a card.
• Make a telephone call.

These are just a few ideas -- you probably have others.  Remember, don't set unreasonable goals.  We cannot do everything at once, but we can always do something.  May God bless you in this new year!

Prayer for Global Missions in Hong Kong

This week we pray for our missionary serving in Hong Kong, Judy Chan.  She serves in a unique context, in a city where Christianity was encouraged by the British government for decades but is more suspect by the Chinese government.

There is much more information about the services that our missionary provides with others in Hong Kong, along with a prayer for their ministry, here.

There are Christian missionaries serving around the world on our behalf in 70 countries.  Each week, Global Missions highlights one of these missions and asks the church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Christmas Day meditation

I thought that our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning worship services were both very nice.  The candlelight service on Saturday evening was simple and beautiful -- just what a Christmas Eve service should be.  Sunday morning was uplifting and joyous.

If you missed Sunday's meditation on Luke 2:15-19, "Silent Morning," or if you want to listen to it again, you may listen to it here.

Saying Goodbye

As my time in Fairmont comes to an end...