Pastor’s Pen

January 2020

This month at

Inside Worship at Grace pg 2 Music Ministry pg 2 Spiritual Growth at Grace pg 3 CASKET EMPTY pg 3 Christian Education Ministry pg 4-5 Serving Others at Grace pg 6 Pastor Jim Recognition pg 6 The Grace Family pg 7 Women of Grace Corner pg 7 Grace Christmas Memories pg 8 Save the Date pg 9 Officer Training pg 9 Wreaths Across America pg 10 Birthdays pg 10 Calendar pg 11 Dr. Dorway Concert Insert New Year Devotional Insert

Feb.’s Grace Notes Deadline is Jan. 10th. Please e-mail articles to: cyndi@gracepclv.org or

call the church office at 702-384-4554.

Notes

CASKET EMPTY Adult Brown Bag Bible Study Begins

Wednesday, January 15th at Noon West Campus

Dr. Dorway Organ Concert Sunday, January 26th at 2:30 p.m.

Central Campus Sanctuary

Happy New Year! Wow, 2020, can you believe it is 2020. I am not sure I will ever get used to writing 2020. It feels like a number, or a year, from science fiction of the far off future. As we enter the future, 2020, it is appropriate we plan for what is to come. So what does the new decade hold in store for you? Will you set sail into retirement? Will you see your family expand, will you change careers or will you spend time with your family and loved ones? Or do you fear the future asking yourself, what will happen next? Will this new season of life, the decade ahead be worse that the one before? If my father were here, he would tell me it is times like this where we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. That way we are always ready for whatever the future throws at us. While my dad was wise, I prefer the words of the Apostle Paul to rejoice in the Lord always and to think of the things that are true, noble, pure, lovely and right. When we look into an uncertain future, we know that we have reason to rejoice and celebrate the future. God is still God and His love for us is sure. As Christians, we are people of hope for we know that this world and our future are not dictated by the size of our wallets or the success of our resumes, but rather by God’s will and His love for each of us. This new year there is reason for joy and peace, because God walks with us into our future with a promise that He is our God and we are His people. This new year, I resolve to stand with God, no matter what comes my way. This new year, I will rejoice that God is in charge and that He will not reject His people. After all, it is our God who said in Jeremiah chapter 29, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” This year, as you look toward a new decade, I challenge each of you, the people of Grace Presbyterian Church, Las Vegas to take the words of Paul seriously. In this season of new beginnings and resolutions, I want to encourage you to set your minds on the things that matter this year, “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.” When you do, you will find that the joy of the Lord is in your grasp, no matter what the future hold. God bless you this New Year! Pastor Jim

Officer Training Saturday, January 11th

9:00 a.m. - Noon Central Campus

CASKET EMPTY Adult Bible Study Begins

Sunday, January 12th at 9:00 a.m. Central Campus

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be

evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in

everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to

God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your

hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is

excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. --Philippians 4:4-8

Worship at Grace...

Central Campus Music Notes

A big THANK YOU to all our musicians and leaders of the adult and children's music ministries for an uplifting Advent and Christmas Season! You are God's hands and feet, and we feel His joy when we experience His music through you.

January Music Highlights at Central… January 5th - The Chancel Choir and organ lead us musically in worship on this Epiphany Sunday. Please join us as we close this beautiful Christmas season.

January 12th - Our Bells of Grace adult handbell choir will add to our joy in worship, along with the Chancel Choir and the organ.

January 19th - We welcome our own Jubilee Gospel Singers to the loft this day as we praise God and honor His servant, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Please also NOTE that the Kids of the Kingdom music rehearsals start today, bells and choir, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

January 26th - The Chancel Choir and organ lift our musical spirits from the loft this morning. Don't forget to come back for Dr. Dorway's concert!

Special Music Events in January! January 26th, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Our next Grace Classics Concert features our own Dr. Dorway and Friends annual concert! This year his concert will focus on Pipes and More Pipes as he will be joined by the Las Vegas Pipe Band. This event never fails to be a well-attended highlight of the year as Dr. Dorway always has a great variety of fantastic organ and other music - definitely something for everyone! A cookie reception follows - this is a great event to bring friends. Admission is FREE.

Spiritual Growth at Grace...

CASKET EMPTY

a new Adult Bible Study at Grace

Central Campus

Beginning Sunday, January 12th CASKET EMPTY will be taught at 9:00 a.m. as part of the Adult Sunday School hour at the Central Campus led by Megan Krier.

West Campus

Wednesdays at lunch, beginning January 15th at the West Campus, Pastor Jim will be leading a Bible Study entitled “CASKET EMPTY”. We will meet for a brown bag lunch from Noon until 1:30 p.m. each week. CASKET EMPTY is a thematic study of the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. The words CASKET EMPTY are an acronym for the entire Bible, with each letter representing a key period in the redemptive story. In short, this study is built around a memory device designed to help all of us understand the Bible - and remember it. The title CASKET EMPTY points to the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah as the center of the biblical story. Together we will use this acronym to inform our study of the entire Bible and better understand God’s word to us.

Books and resources are available

through the Casket Empty website

casketempty.com

and a few books will be available

at each class site.

Sunday School is a fun interactive time for children on Sunday mornings.

Nursery care is available for infants ages 0-1 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Early Education classroom receives children ages 2-5 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Elementary Sunday School is combined ages Kindergarten-5th grade from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30

a.m.

Elementary Classrooms divide children for class time:

Kindergarten - Second Grade from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Third Grade - Fifth Grade from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Parents stop by the Welcome Center in Classroom 4 of the Education Wing to sign in your

precious kids for Sunday School fun!

Kids of the Kingdom Choir will resume music rehearsals on Sunday, January 19th.

Kids of the Kingdom Choir meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Children ages 4 through 5th grade learn choir music and bell or chimes ringing.

Children sing and/or ring during worship once per month during the school year except for

January.

Singing in church dates will be:

February 9th

March 22nd

April 5th

May 10th (Mother's Day)

Kids of the Kingdom will then go on a summer break until rehearsals resume in September

2020.

Looking forward to:

January 5th - Epiphany Sunday Covenant Renewal Discussions and

Communion for third, fourth, and fifth grade kids

January 12th - MLK - Looking at the content of character discussions

January 19th - Kids of the Kingdom music rehearsals resume.

Youth Group will resume meetings on Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Youth Group (6th grade-12th grade) meet on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

in the Knox House.

Dinner is provided by our amazing church family. Social time, game time, worship and Bible

study engage the teens.

Inviting friends to all meetings and events is welcome and encouraged.

Youth Sunday School (6th grade -12th grade) is Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

Beginning January 5th, Youth are joining the Adult Sunday School class in Room 16 to join the

CASKET EMPTY Bible Study.

It is exciting for the youth to join the adults in this thematic study.

Looking forward to:

Zephyr Point S. Lake Tahoe - Mission Trip April 5th - April 10th

Paperwork and $250 deposit due February 9th.

Mystery Camp Summer Exploration - June 15th -19th

Paperwork and $350 deposit due April 12th

Calvin Crest Summer Camp -

---Sherwood Forest (incoming 4th grade -5th grade) Middle School Camp

July 12th - July 17th

---High School Camp July 19th - July 24th

Register by March 31st for the best price. Scholarships available.

https://www.calvincrest.com/register-for-summer-camp/

Young adults (ages 18-30) are a fun bunch of adventure seekers studying scripture and building friendships. Bible Study with Pastor Jim and occasional outings offer this great group some time to just learn and find joy in great friendships. Contact Rhonda for meeting details.

Any questions on any of the Christian Education meetings, events or scholarships to camp please contact Rhonda Reeves by text: 702-688-2644, call or email: rhonda@gracepclv.org.

Amazing Grace Ministry We could use donations of the following items to be distributed

on the third Wednesday in January:

Toothbrushes/Travel-sized toothpaste/Travel-sized mouthwash As always we accept used eyeglasses/readers/sunglasses!

Please place all donations in the designated box in the Narthex/Fellowship Room.

ELDERS Gail Anderson

Ed Benton Christie Brannen Jennifer Brinkley

Robert Eaton Ron Eyer

Skylar Goodall Jennifer Hamby Iva Hinkelman

Robert “B.J.” Jamison Bruce Laird

Delinda Larson Philip Merkley Rob Merriman

Jim Nelson Doug Oquist

Scott Plummer Kerry Radke Jerry Reeves Jim Stuhmer Peter Wilson

DEACONS Jessicka Beckwith

Alan Bowers Karen Bowers

Jill Eaton Kim Holt

Mary Jamison Carol Keane Dorothy Lyle Richard Lyle Karen Nine

Adrienne O’Donoghue Nancy Sarna Phu Simpson

Jill Taylor Diane Vogelzang

Harold Witherspoon

Grace Presbyterian Church Leadership

Serving Others at Grace...

Homebound Communion

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in Worship. If you are homebound, or in the hospital and cannot attend church to receive communion, the sacrament can be brought to you. Please call the church office at 702-384-4554 to make arrangements for a time during the week when the officers of the church may bring communion to you.

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly

with your God.

In January, we are collecting soup or soup/pasta bowls. Please return items to the Central Campus by January 17th.

Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner and Pastor Jim Recognition

Celebrating 25 years in the ministry of Jesus Christ

November 23rd

The Grace Family...

Women of Grace A note of thanks to Grace Presbyterian Church members and friends for their support of Women of Grace, "Christmas Around the World". The generous donations of baskets, gift items, jewelry and baked goods added to the success of this event. In addition, your support of our mission project, Amazing Grace Ministry, with men's athletic socks and sweatshirts was awesome. I want to extend my appreciation to Janice Laird in guiding this event and all of the Executive Board members who worked diligently with organizing, planning, decorating, and publicizing for this event. To every person that made a special dish representing their culture or ethnicity.... merci beaucoup (French). We had one of the best food buffets ever. Every dish was wonderful! There are so many people to acknowledge but there are some that need just a little extra danki dir (German): Helmi Merkley, Marcia Hawkins, Janice and Sarah Plummer, Mikel Holt, Rhonda Reeves, Ashley Murphy and Leanne (Holt) Estein, Marion Eyer, who assisted with the raffle and baskets, Adrienne O'Donoghue, who was responsible for our wonderful entertainment, and Jean Sharon Jones, who served as our MC, keeping us on time and in order. Can't forget our office and maintenance staff who supported us through multiple changes and ideas. Grazie (Italian) to our newest Presbyterian churches that took part in the festivities, Taiwan American Presbyterian Church and Emmanuel Faith Chapel. It has been a pleasure to serve as President of Women of Grace. The enthusiasm and commitment of this committee is priceless. Muchas gracias (Spanish) to the 2019 Executive Board Members: Dorell Koon, Janice Laird, Kim Holt, Pat Reid, Denise Simon, Mary Jamison, Terry Glaser, Mickie Bratschie, Dr. Geraldine Thornton, Kathy Koch, Terry Thompson and Tiffany Palumbo. Asante (Swahili) and Blessings, Marcia Evans

Grace Christmas Memories 2019

Christmas Card Exchange Begins

WOG Christmas Around the World - Dec 7th

Concert Choir Christmas Concert - Dec 15th

2020

January

1 New Year’s Day Holiday - Office Closed 11 Officer Training - 9:00 a.m. - Noon - Central 12 CASKET EMPTY Adult Sunday School Begins - 9:00 a.m. - Central 15 CASKET EMPTY Brown Bag Bible Study Begins - Noon - 1:30 p.m. - West 20 MLK Holiday - Office Closed 26 Dr. Dorway Concert - 2:30 p.m. - Central

February 17 President’s Day - Office Closed 25 Ash Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m. - West March 8 Daylight Saving Time Begins April 5 Palm Sunday 9 Maundy Thursday - 7:00 p.m. - West 10 Good Friday (Seven Last Words of Christ) - 7:00 p.m. - Central 12 Easter Sunday 19-26 Family Promise - Central

If we missed your birthday or what is listed is incorrect, please contact the church office with your birth date so that we can update our records.

1/1 Susan Boswell 1/10 Tanner Cordon 1/19 Adeline Jordan

1/1 Lisa Cummings 1/10 Jeffrey McDonald 1/19 Lana Rimmer

1/1 Saadia Daoud 1/11 Sammy Antonopoulos 1/19 Judith Rodgers

1/1 Tara McNeil 1/11 Ethan Born 1/20 Kirsten Barnson

1/2 Katherine Fine 1/13 Melany Hogan 1/20 Ralph Horsford

1/2 Suelinda Hill 1/13 Alitea Muamua 1/21 Michelle Cordon

1/2 Jack Janne 1/13 Tiffany Shevak 1/21 Michelle Lucas Cordon

1/3 Isabella Scalia 1/13 Jaqoline Tewuh-Sigar 1/21 John Page

1/3 Andrew Strother 1/13 Shanna Williams 1/21 Colleen Thomas

1/3 Joseph Strother 1/14 Alan Bowers 1/22 Lebene Ohene

1/4 Linda Stratton 1/14 Joel McDonald 1/23 Ann Black

1/5 Megan Krier 1/15 Robyn Campbell 1/23 Whitney Maxwell

1/5 Shane McLin 1/16 Amanda Stuckey 1/25 Carolyn McDonald

1/6 Aaron Baker 1/16 Brittany Stuckey 1/25 Paul Woicicki

1/6 Joey Carlston 1/16 Madigan Webster 1/26 Jayne Elgin

1/6 Michael Holthus 1/17 Chris Antonopolos 1/26 Julien Stonebraker-Gaudette

1/6 Cindy Province 1/17 Shirley Davis 1/28 Jerrie Henson

1/7 Jill Bird 1/18 Madlin Ellyin 1/28 Wynanda Johnson

1/7 Lisa Shortridge 1/18 Tai Gregory 1/29 Sandy Spangler

1/8 Hayley Thomas 1/18 Delinda Larson 1/30 Elizabeth Gibson

1/8 Connie von Behren 1/19 Robert Campbell 1/30 Janice Keenan

1/9 Gail Anderson 1/19 Jill Eaton 1/30 Marie Leach

1/10 Reccy Abilar 1/19 Elyssa Hayes 1/31 Brittny Mitchell

1/10 DeLois Basnett

Wreaths Across America

A sincere and heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you for helping us sponsor Wreaths Across America. Your gifts hold special importance especially to the family members of the fallen. A special thanks to everyone who dedicated their time to come out and support this worthy cause and placed wreaths at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. This year Grace sponsored 415 wreaths with our volunteers placing 60 on specified graves. Again, thank you so much for honoring and remembering our heroes who have served and sacrificed for all of us.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 ** NEW YEAR’S DAY

CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED**

12:30 AM Youth Lock-In

2 10:00 AM Women of

Grace Board Meeting 12:00 PM WOG

Brown Bag Bible

3 ** CHURCH

OFFICE CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

4

5 9:00 AM Nursery & Early Education 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-Up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 10:45 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

6 6:30 PM

Congregational

Life & Mission @

West 6:30 PM

Proclamation and

Worship 6:30 PM Spiritual

Growth

7 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership

8 8:30 AM BSF 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bell Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:45 PM Young Adult

Bible Study

9 10 ** CHURCH

OFFICE CLOSED** **Grace Notes

DEADLINE** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

11 9:00 AM Officer

Training @

Central 10:00 AM

Amazing Grace

Board Meeting

12 9:00 AM Nursery & Early Education 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-Up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 10:45 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

13 11:30 AM Saying

Goodbye

Gracefully 12:30 PM Priscilla

Circle 6:00 PM Support

Commission

14 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 8:30 AM Sewing 6:30 PM Deborah

Circle

15 8:30 AM BSF 11:30 AM Prayer Team

Ministry 12:00 PM Adult Bible

Study @ West 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bell Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:45 PM Young Adult

Bible Study

16 10:00 AM Shawl

Ministry

17 ** CHURCH

OFFICE CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

18

19 9:00 AM Cancer Support Group 9:00 AM Nursery & Early Education 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-Up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 10:45 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 11:30 AM Children's Ministry Meeting 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal

20 ** MLK DAY

CHURCH

OFFICE

CLOSED**

21 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 10:00 AM Sarah

Elizabeth Circle 12:00 PM Lydia

Circle

22 8:30 AM BSF 12:00 PM Adult Bible

Study @ West 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bell Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:45 PM Young Adult

Bible Study

23 24 ** CHURCH

OFFICE CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

25 8:00 AM Brown

Bag

26 9:00 AM Nursery & Early Education 9:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages) 9:00 AM Worship Service 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study West 9:45 AM Choir Warm-Up 10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship 10:30 AM Children's SS West 10:30 AM Worship Service Central/West 10:45 AM Children's Church & Sunday School 11:30 AM Fellowship - West 11:45 AM Jubilee Rehearsal 2:30 PM Dr. Dorway Concert

27 6:30 PM Deacons

Meeting @ West 6:30 PM Session

Meeting @ West

28 8:30 AM BSF

Leadership 8:30 AM Sewing 9:30 AM Esther

Rebecca Circle

29 8:30 AM BSF 12:00 PM Adult Bible

Study @ West 5:30 PM Youth

Fellowship 6:00 PM Bell Choir

Rehearsal 7:15 PM Chancel Choir

Rehearsal 7:45 PM Young Adult

Bible Study

30 31 ** CHURCH

OFFICE CLOSED** 9:30 AM G.I.F.T.S.

1

Label

Grace Presbyterian Church Central Campus 1515 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102

Central Campus

1515 W. Charleston Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89102

Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

West Campus

4590 S. Hualapai Way

Las Vegas, NV 89147

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Phone: 702-384-4554

Fax: 702-385-1698

www.gracepclv.org

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Devotionals for the New Year

God’s Love by Ron Eyer

In the 1980’s in Tennessee there was a guitar player named Aaron Barker, he wrote and played

Country Music songs. One day Aaron found himself in a real tough situation. His son had created a

major problem that broke some family rules. It involved the boy and some damage to the neighbor’s

Porsche.

Aaron loved his son but he was troubled by his thoughts. “How can I be so mad about what the boy

did and still love him so very much?” Aaron did what he often did and he prayed for guidance. After

the difficult talk with the boy Aaron wrote a song about breaking rules and a father’s love.

Country singer George Strait heard the song and he met with Aaron. They worked together on the

song and in 1990 Strait recorded the song. The song zoomed to number one on the music charts.

The song tells a story about a father’s response to a boy who broke the rules. The first 3 verses are a

father’s words to his son and how the words were passed on to the next generation. The chorus is:

Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love

A secret that my daddy said was just between us

He said daddies don’t just love their children every now and then

It’s a love without end, Amen

It’s a love without end, Amen

The last verse is about standing at the “Pearly Gates” and feeling that being there might be a mistake

considering some of the things you have done. When a voice from the other side of the gates says:

Daddies don’t love their children every now and then. It’s a love without end, Amen.

God our father blesses each of us with a love without end. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER is

repeated over 100 times in the Bible. Psalm 136 repeats those words over 25 times. Many of our

favorite worship songs include HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. We have it on posters and in

other books. There is a Christian album by singer Chris Tomlin entitled “Forever”. It contains the

verse: From the rising to the setting sun his love endures forever. And by the Grace of God we will

carry on. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.

We are greatly blessed by our God who knows us and loves us each day.

It’s a love without end, AMEN

The Planner and The List by Ron Eyer

Do you have a Daily Planner in a little book or on your phone or on your laptop?

Do you use it? There are 100’s of types of planners with the same goal – get organized - plan ahead – take control of your activities and appointments.

Our planners have a daily list of the appointments we have and the activities that we need to get done. It is a guide and a way of controlling our time and our activities each day. In the back of my planner book there are monthly sheets for future activities.

If you looked at some of the past days in my planner you would see a lot of items each day that are crossed out indicating “DONE”. You would also see some items that are circled. The circled ones are items that didn’t happen or didn’t get done that day the way I planned. That circled item may appear on the next day or 3 or 4 days in a row. Some of them will appear again in a month. Eventually the activity will get to the crossed off stage

When I look at my planner it clearly shows that I really don’t have much control over my daily activities even though I certainly have a written plan.

It’s a planner with the illusion of control.

Then there is the “To Do” list that some of us have. Some people probably might have a “Don’t Want To Do” list

Management training courses indicate that 3 of the the keys to good management are: Organize-Prioritize-Focus. It leads to having a written list of things to do which is also a way to keep things organized and controlled. But even that important to do list may frequently need to be rewritten or rearranged.

It is a list with the illusion of control.

In 1975 a Harvard professor of psychology, Ellen Langer, published a study titled “ The Illusion of Control”. She examined the level of influence we exert over life events. She demonstrated that we all overestimate our own degree of control in most situations. It reminds me of our planners and our lists.

What do we find in the Bible that refers to this “Illusion of Control”?

It’s in the lettter of James. James 4 , verses 13-14

Now listen you who say “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, buy and sell and make a profit.” Whereas you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

But James has an answer for our Illusion of Control. He points to the ONE who is in absolute control and James writes You should say “ If it is the LORDS will we will live and do this and that.”

Our challenge is to continue to make the entries in our daily planner and write our to do list.

As we do this each day we remember our illusion of control and start by saying –

THY WILL BE DONE!

I have Myasthenia Gravis by Pennie Everhart

At the age of 71, and with no pressing health issues, I literally woke up with the symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis and it was soon medically confirmed to be MG. My body rejected each attempt at traditional IV treatment, one such attempt nearly killing me. (please know we have left no stone un-turned in the search for treatment and cure...it has no cure and very limited treatment). What does one do when, overnight, your life totally changes from a robust busy-ness to a loss of the ability to do the things you have always done...I mean: just gone. I wanted answers to the question: WHY... at first directed to God...no answer. Then I asked my Pastor and again: no answer. I realized that my thinking had to change. I needed to rely on the blind faith that I have always depended on...that something good always comes out of a situation such as this one. I don't know what God has planned for me...BUT I do believe there is a reason for all that happens and in God's time, I will understand. This disease has "put me down", BUT, with God's help, it is not going to "keep me down".

Promises to Keep (English) by Rosamaria Duenas

Throughout the years that God has given me, I have been able to experience His divine presence in my life; even though I have failed to be in His path. However, the older I get it is more clear to me that I need to hold to the wonderful promises of the Lord. As it says in Psalms 9:10 “And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee for thou O Lord have not forsaken those who seek Thee”. Day by day I encounter new experiences, some are good, some not that good, but when we believe that the Lord is the great promise keeper, it will lead me to have peace and light in my life. I pray to God to give me faith that grows more and more. “Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.” Psalm 119:50

Promises to Keep (Espanol) by Rosamaria Duenas

A traves de los anos que Dios me ha dado, he podido experimentar su presencia divina en mi vida, aun cuando you me haya alejado de sus caminos. Sin embargo entre mas se acumulan los anos en mi cuerpo, mas claro es para mi que tengo que aferrarme a las “maravillosas promesas” de mi Senor. Como dice en el Salmo 9:10: “En ti confiaran los que conocen tu Monbre por cuanto tu, Jehoa, no desamparaste a los que te buscavon. Dia a dia hay nuevas experiencias en mi vida, unas son buenas, otras no tan buenas, pero cuando se que el Senor es El que siempre cumple sus promesas, me lleva a tener paz y luz en mi vida. Le pido a me Dios que me de Fe que crezca mas y mas. “Tu palabra es me Consuelo en mi afliccion porque ty dicho me ha vivificado”. Salmo 119:50

Encouragement for the New Year by Carol Kuykendall

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20 (NIV)

I sometimes think New Year’s Day comes at the wrong time of year. I’m usually facing a bunch of tasks left over from the old year, like taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all the decorations, writing thank-you notes and dealing with decisions about what to do with the stack of Christmas cards. Throw them away? Save the ones with pictures? Check the addresses? Then there’s the thought of trying to catch up with all the work I put off during the holidays. I’m behind before the New Year even starts.

“Who can think about new beginnings or inspirational goals in the midst of old concerns?” I asked my lawyer-husband Lynn as he came in the door after a quick trip to the office to complete a couple of year-end responsibilities.

“Let me show you a gift I just received,” he said, pulling an attractively wrapped package out of his briefcase. On it was a card: “To Lynn. May this gift encourage you in the coming year.” It was signed by a friend in his Bible study group.

Lynn tore off the paper and lifted out a beautifully framed message, penned by a professional calligrapher. The message read:

Lynn,

Trust Me. I have everything under control.

Jesus

He set the frame down amidst the clutter on the kitchen counter so I could see that simple message as I went about my tasks. Slowly those words began to change my frame of mind. If I needed something to help me carry my old concerns into the New Year, I’d just found it … the determination to face each day’s concerns, trusting in the words of this promise from the Source of all comfort and strength.

Father, each day in this new year, please help me remember that You are in control of everything.

Write your own Wish for the New Year