Dear Caldwell,
I admit I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. In years past, I might have made a few, but they no longer interest me. This is not to say that making resolutions as a new year dawns is wrong – they work for many people as a way to focus on new direction, new goals, new hopes and dreams. Just not so much for me. Maybe that says something about my discipline and will power, which I do wish were stronger.
Then again, there are other ways of thinking about time and how we live life – especially as children of God. We are now on the sixth day of Christmas, the season when we strive to dwell on the fact that the Light came into the world as a human being. That tends to speak to me more than a random date some ancient Roman pronounced important.
As we think about God’s entrance into the world, in these post-modern times there are some who struggle with the idea of the literal incarnation – that the God who created the universe did, in fact, come into the world, taking the form of a human being, flesh and blood. The Gospel of John speaks to this in a way that differs from the other gospels. Its opening verses speak to the identity of Christ in a way that invites all kinds of believers to think about how Jesus brought God’s light into the world – in who he was, but also in what he did, what he instructed and how he challenged all that is dark about the world. We will think about that together Sunday in worship. If you have any thoughts about John 1:1-18, I’d be delighted to hear them as I work on my sermon.
Now, in other ways, we do mark and celebrate the turning of the page on the calendar.
- There is still time to get your 2013 pledge payments in, if you have not completed your pledge. The office will be open this afternoon, Thursday and Friday to receive checks dated 12-31-13 or earlier. After that, we close the books. Please attend to your pledge if needed. You can bring a check to the church (please call me first at 704/957-4511 to ensure there is someone there) or pay online here https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=tYgT1GfNxRUldiimjHMvOS9wJSkLbjpm4nWFkRmJj19skSODEa-Up5lt373GHnco2evTpo0mld6BrVzd2nG0pycrMU5N75ei1VirDd8zL-g=&ver=3
- As for 2014, 111 members and families have made a financial pledge. We still hope to hear from those who have not, but the time is close when we will need to set the budget that defines what we do in ministry as the hands and feet of Christ. Every pledge counts. Online pledging is available here http://www.caldwellpresby.org/discipleship2013/
- Here’s some long-awaited news (cue the Alleluia Chorus) – we will be BACK IN THE SANCTUARY for worship this Sunday, opening 2014 in the space we have missed. Belk Hall has served us well but it will be good to be back in our familiar pews. Jim Curtis is organizing a team to help shift worship resources (hymnals, etc.) and some sound equipment back to the sanctuary. It will be just a couple of hours on Saturday morning, 9-11 a.m. If you can help which would be appreciated, please contact Jim at jcurtis1@carolina.rr.com or 704-622-2506.
Finally, an update on our Business and Office Manager Leslie Gipple, who suffered a fractured shoulder and many bumps and scraps in a bicycle accident. Leslie is recuperating at home but slowly. She is well taken care of by her friends at the moment but knows we stand ready to help in any way. She is going to try to work a little this week to test her stamina but we are being very cautious. She appreciates your prayers.
Despite my aversion to New Year’s resolutions, I do sincerely and authentically wish you a Happy New Year amid friends, family, work and in the service of our Lord! See you soon.
In Christ,
John