Dear Caldwell,
Gail here. I have a friend who, on the first of every month, posts “Whole new month! Whole new month!” all over her social media platforms. Her excitement is almost palpable at the start of each year – “WHOLE NEW YEAR! WHOLE NEW YEAR!” I always smile when I see her posts on my feeds – and I always appreciate the reminder. Each month offers a brand new day #1, a brand new start.
That’s also true of each day – God blesses us with daily opportunities to live with joy, with gratitude, with generosity, and with hope. There are always going to be challenges and struggles in this life, yes, but there are also always reasons for us to give God our thanks.
This Friday, February 1st, at 11 am, we have the opportunity to celebrate and give God thanks for the life of Greg Samson. Please come and join his wife, Adele, their children, Meredith and Ian, and their family and friends, for a service in which we remind one another of the resurrection hope we share in Christ Jesus.
This Sunday is Souper Bowl Sunday – which means we have the opportunity to celebrate our life together in a community meal, eating soup that our youth group will prepare for us. Please plan to stay after worship for a hearty bowl of soup and hearty conversation and companionship, Caldwell style.
We are just a few days away from a “whole new month, whole new month.” I hope and pray that you will look back on the month of January and find ways to give God thanks and praise for bringing you through every day so far. I pray that you will enter February with renewed hope and faith in our ever-present, loving Lord.
When I look back at troubles I have faced in my life,
when I think of God’s faithfulness in my life,
these verses often come to mind.
Psalm 3:1-5.
1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying to me,
‘There is no help for you in God.’
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
This, my beloved ones, is the Word of the Lord. Please keep Dee and Riley Murray in prayer following the passing of Dee’s father last night. His service details are pending.
Grace and peace, Gail