Happy New Year everyone. And I hope each of you has had an opportunity to reflect on all that happened in our world, nation, state, county, city, and most importantly in each of our lives.

Yes, 2024 has gone, and 2025 is here. Like many of you, I examine where I have been and where I want to go with my life when the calendar year changes. I do not make resolutions, but I do take a good look at the journey I have been on and where it is going.

As a Christian, I examine the journey in the light of God’s Word. I am particularly drawn to Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The path that I am on with the Lord Jesus Christ is my journey of faith and it is one for which I seek to be continually prepared. My journey of faith as an individual and the journey of faith I am on with you as a community is integrally entwined. We need each other.

Journeys require preparation and certain behaviors. Take airplane travel. That’s fun. I can only take two carry-on items. Only one bag can be checked. The weight of the bag cannot exceed 50 pounds, or an overweight charge will be assessed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all gels and liquids not to exceed 3 ounces and be placed in a 1-quart clear zip lock bag. Only one zip lock bag per passenger is allowed, and it must be placed in a container for screening. As I walk through the screening machine, I must take off my shoes, make sure there are no metal objects on my person that will set off the alarm, place my laptop in a container, and take off my shoes. I can only board the plane when my group number has been called. I must listen to the in-flight instructions and use the bathroom in my ticketed cabin. I cannot congregate near the galleys or cockpit door, and my seat belt must remain fastened at all times. Yes, a journey on a plane is complicated.

The same is true in our Christian journey. Jesus told his disciples many things, but three of the most significant were to pick up their cross, give everything away to the poor, and make disciples of all peoples.

On Monday, December 16, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00 am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian Discipleship and Spiritual Formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Advent is about new beginnings. And on Christmas Eve we experienced the culmination of waiting and expecting. Yes, we began a deeper walk with the One who knows us the best and loves us the most.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to us in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.
• Joy ensures your new beginning is grounded in God’s imminent presence.
• Love ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s unconditional love.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus who knows you the best and loves you the most.

On Monday, December 16, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00 am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian Discipleship and Spiritual Formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

• Advent is about new beginnings. The Fourth Sunday in Advent is December 22.

What is the new beginning in your life that you desire more love?

• Hope is the expectation that God reigns and God’s promises will be fulfilled.
• Peace is something God will give you that surpasses all understanding.
• Joy is the contentment that adds buoyancy to your soul.
• Love is anchor to our relationship with God and others.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.
• Joy ensures your new beginning is grounded in God’s imminent presence.
• Love ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s unconditional love.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus that we are expecting and waiting for, waiting for and expecting.

This past Monday night the Stated Session meeting, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

• Advent is about new beginnings. The Third Sunday in Advent is December 15.

What is the new beginning in your life that you desire more peace?

• Hope is the expectation that God reigns and God’s promises will be fulfilled.
• Peace is something God will give you that surpasses all understanding.
• Joy is the contentment that adds buoyancy to your soul.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.
• Joy ensures your new beginning is grounded in God’s imminent presence.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus that we are expecting and waiting for, waiting for and expecting.

We lighted the hope candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.

In Christ there is life and light for all people.

We lighted the peace candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.

In Christ there is life and light for all people.

We light the joy candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Now lift up your heads and rejoice, your redeemer is drawing near.

Prepare the way of the Holy One! All flesh will see the salvation of God. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth! Christ has come to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh, Interim Pastor

• Advent is about new beginnings. The Second Sunday in Advent is December 8^th.

What is the new beginning your life that you desire more peace?

• Hope is the expectation that God reigns and God’s promises will be fulfilled.
• Peace is something God will give you that surpasses all understanding.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus that we are expecting and waiting, waiting, and expecting.

Join me Monday night at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary for our Silent Night Service. Allow hope and peace to permeate your soul.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor