To my dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is with my utmost pleasure to wish you a happy new year for Friday.
Even though the season of Advent is the beginning of the new year for the Church, the celebrations that happen on the 31st and 1st are ones that indicate the joys of new beginnings, of turning over a new leaf and starting the new year with a fresh start and the best of intentions.
For the church that is certainly applicable, as the birth of Christ leads ultimately to the death and resurrection of Christ, not only becoming himself new and transformed but also offering us the same promise of renewal.
The glorious gift of grace is not that we as Christians are made perfect, but that we are continually given opportunities each day to begin a new life in Christ and God works through us, despite our imperfections!
For Faith Renaissance, this new year approaches with uncertainty. We are not going to hold service on the 2nd or 9th so that we can use this new year to better evaluate the needs of the people and the worship in order to make the best decision possible for all. Our service needs more people to continue to be offered, and we are going to see what we can do to make it serve that purpose more effectively.
As for my new year's resolution, it is to become a better communicator, and will strive towards more blogging to keep people updated. I will be accountable to you, and am striving for a weekly post- if not more frequently depending on what's happening. Any type of comments will also help reinforce my blogging and will stimulate conversation- the goal of my writing.
This blog will continue no matter the outcome of our Faith Renaissance conversations, although it may be transformed as well. No one knows what the future holds, but at least we know who holds it.
It is with my utmost pleasure to wish you a happy new year for Friday.
Even though the season of Advent is the beginning of the new year for the Church, the celebrations that happen on the 31st and 1st are ones that indicate the joys of new beginnings, of turning over a new leaf and starting the new year with a fresh start and the best of intentions.
For the church that is certainly applicable, as the birth of Christ leads ultimately to the death and resurrection of Christ, not only becoming himself new and transformed but also offering us the same promise of renewal.
The glorious gift of grace is not that we as Christians are made perfect, but that we are continually given opportunities each day to begin a new life in Christ and God works through us, despite our imperfections!
For Faith Renaissance, this new year approaches with uncertainty. We are not going to hold service on the 2nd or 9th so that we can use this new year to better evaluate the needs of the people and the worship in order to make the best decision possible for all. Our service needs more people to continue to be offered, and we are going to see what we can do to make it serve that purpose more effectively.
As for my new year's resolution, it is to become a better communicator, and will strive towards more blogging to keep people updated. I will be accountable to you, and am striving for a weekly post- if not more frequently depending on what's happening. Any type of comments will also help reinforce my blogging and will stimulate conversation- the goal of my writing.
This blog will continue no matter the outcome of our Faith Renaissance conversations, although it may be transformed as well. No one knows what the future holds, but at least we know who holds it.
So for those who have a church, may you be so inspired this year to continue with a fresh heart the work of the kingdom.
And for those of you not in a church, may you always remember that you too have opportunities this year to choose faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Grace and Peace,
Virginia Yates
And for those of you not in a church, may you always remember that you too have opportunities this year to choose faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Grace and Peace,
Virginia Yates
