Merry Christmas

Dear church family,

When God chose to enter this world as a human baby, He chose to forever unite Himself with His creation. A more intimate and total identification is simply not possible. I find this astounding! Our Creator left His high and lofty place and did not just appear to us but became one of us. We call this the incarnation, God made flesh in the person of Jesus, our Messiah. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God… All things came into being through Him… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

This same God who was born as a baby in an animal’s feeding trough is alive and present in our world today. In the first century, He dwelt among us as one of us but today…

…He dwells among His creatures by dwelling in each of us who believe. Listen to the Apostle Paul, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away and new things have come.” “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who delivered Himself up for me.” This too is an incarnation. Jesus is, right now, reaching out to His creatures through you and me. Wow!

Christmas time should inspire us emulate Jesus, take a risk, step out of ourselves, and connect with those around us through the love of Christ.

As a new year approaches, I want to challenge us, the church, to impact this world for good. People are in great need, and more than ever, we need to come alive! We need to be people of prayer, faith, righteousness, and compassion. We need to love each other and love God above all else. Will you commit in 2016 to live more fully for Jesus Christ?

This has been a wonderful year for our church family. Thank you for your faithfulness and commitment. Not only we raised the money to renovate our church facility, but you have graciously responded to a call for a Fresh Financial Start. As of today you’ve exceeded the set goal by $13,000. God is at work in this amazing church. These are wonderful miracles of His amazing grace.

Thank you for your many Christmas cards filled with love and kindness. We sincerely appreciated your gracious Christmas gift. You are too sweet!

Merry Christmas to you, our church family!

Peter and Galena

PS Below are some photos from our church Christmas party 🙂