January 2, 2009

Happy New Year my friends!

The new year is a wonderful time to start planning and getting ready for a new start. Maybe even make a few resolutions within yourself and then begin charting a course for the next phase of your life. I have to admit, the past few weeks have been tied up visiting family and friends, perhaps even getting caught up in the Christmas shuffle just a little. I hope that your Christmas Season was filled with joy and peace.

I want to take just a few moments and update you with some of the happenings at our church. On the Sunday before Christmas, we had an amazing service and baptized 11 folks in the baptismal waters. God has blessed us so far each month with 3-12 people to baptize. Remember, we just stepped out on faith and made a baptismal date of the 3rd Sunday in each month. Since then, God has showed up. Enjoy these picture below of our candidates.

On the Tuesday before Christmas, Share Food/Share Love-Christmas, was able to deliver nearly 100 Christmas Dinners to residents all over Louisa. This was a great time for our church as many people came in that Tuesday (including many kids) to help prepare these meals to be delivered. God allowed us to witness and tell others of the amazing story of Jesus. Enjoy these pictures of Share Food/Share Love.

Here is a portion of the food loaded into our trailer.		This is Nancy Elmore, the coordinator for Share Food/Share Love.
Cameron enjoys helping others!		I was especially blessed to see our young people show up to help on this great day.
We are thankful that many showed up on this day.		Debbie flexes her muscles with a load of food.
Here is a sample of what each recipient receives:  including a Bible with other life changing material.		Our children's choir on Christmas Eve.
Wade is back!		Kyle is ready to play bass at our Christmas Eve Service.
Scott Raettig and his Dad on the Special Night.		The Gammon Family on Christmas Eve.  Jason serves as the Coordinator of our Usher Team.
Bill and his daughter Lindsay on Christmas Eve.		The Heady Family at Christmas Eve.
The Singleton's at Christmas Eve. Trey serves as our Crossroads Ministry Team Leader.		Three of our youth who are getting baptized together.
Gavin recently was saved and now is following in obedience to Christ through baptism.		Terry recently rededicated her life to Jesus.
David, one of our youth is growing in his faith.		Notice the excited kids in the background.
Mrs Burruss recently surrendered to Christ at New Life.  We are so proud of her.		We have been praying for Charles Gittman.

Jeff Benz has recently accepted a full time position in Worship and Technology
here at New Life.  We pray for him and his wife Erin as they make this transition.

On Christmas Eve, we had a wonderful celebration. After seeing our team practice week after week, I knew that God had something spectacular prepared for us. As the night came, nearly 400 worshippers packed out our auditorium and we let God be our guide. I especially enjoyed seeing so many different people involved with the program. Even our young AWANA children showed up in full force with an incredible peace led by Mrs. Wendy Nichols. One of my personal favorites, was "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" sung by Jason Gammon, Scott Raettig, Craig Luther, Charles (Country) Gittman, and Warren Heady. These fellows really let their hair down and blessed us with their voices.

To top it all off, our teenagers met on New Year's Eve for a lockin celebration. I showed up and stayed for several hours but slipped out the back door around midnight. Our kids had an awesome time of fellowship and games.

Well our first service of the year will be this Sunday and we expect to start off strong. We are ready for God to give us direction and leadership. I am especially excited to announce the hiring of Jeff Benz on as one of our full time staff. He will be serving dual rolls of Music Ministry and Administration.

My prayer is that 2009 will be a great time of growth in your relationship with Christ. Maybe one of your New Year's resolutions will be to join a Sunday School or Bible Fellowship class or even to start coming to church on a more regular basis. Whatever the resolution, we pray that Christ will be involved in your life this year than ever before. Thanks again for listening to the things happening at our church.

See ya on Sunday at New Life Community Church. Please take some time to visit our website as there have been some changes.