I love the holiday season. I’ve always loved the Christmas season and what it means to the church and to our walk with the Lord. What I really love is the New Year and what it brings and means for us as children of God. It’s our chance to get a fresh start. It’s our chance for a New Beginning.

For over a year we’ve all prayed for wisdom in where the Lord was leading in regards to Community Presbyterian Church of Littlerock finding a new pastor. My family and I prayed and I know you all prayed. The Lord brought us together for a purpose and what a great new beginning in the life of our church as we begin serving the Lord in ministry together.

Just for fun I looked up the word beginning. It means “first part: the first part or early stages of something.” Isn’t this true for where we are at in the life of the church? I’m confident that we are in the early stages of God and his plans for our church and our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11) When I think of new beginnings I think of what the Lord does for each of us on a daily basis. The light of the world that has come into being restores our souls and gives to us the very strength we need to get through our day. Most of all the Lord in his goodness and grace covers us with his love and forgiveness. This love he’s blessed us with allows us to know with confidence that we are a forgiven people and a forgiven community. This forgiveness then shines into the world, a chance for the world to have a new fresh start, a new beginning.

Friends, I really look forward to meeting you if I haven‘t already. I’ve already set up camp in my office. If you ever would like to get together I invite you to call me at the church. I’ve already visited the Tuesday night food pantry. What a powerful ministry we have in our midst. If you’ve never volunteered I challenge you to come and help as a response to Jesus and his words, “Go out into all of the world and make disciples of all nations.” (This includes our neighbors next door) Debbie and I have attended the Wednesday night Marinership group. I encourage you all to come and be in fellowship together with your brothers and sisters on the first Wednesday of the month. I’ve also attended Rick Whitehouse’s Thursday night Bible study. Friends, I encourage you to come and participate in the study of God’s Word. It starts at 5:30pm sharp! If you’re a guy and like food I’ve found a place to get fed with not only good food, but spiritual food. Join us the third Saturday of the month. There are other groups I look forward to spending time with like the youth led by Caleb and our children’s ministries led by Annie.

Finally, I’m most of all thankful for the work and the prayers of the PNC who felt that the Lord was bringing us together for this new beginning in the life of our church. I look forward to our years of ministry together and watching with anticipation for what the Lord is getting ready to do. I again stand on the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…praise God for new beginnings. Amen?