Dear Friends in Christ,

It’s a new year. With a new year comes a sense of hope and anticipation. The old year is gone now and lies in the history books as well as our memories. The new year is here with its opportunities waiting to happen.

When you think about it, the only thing new about 2011 is how we write the date. We still wake up with the same old problems and burdens of the past. Changing the date doesn’t change our lives all that dramatically. The bills and debts are still there. The unemployed still wake up looking for work. For those under the care of doctors still wake up with medical needs.

Wouldn't it be great if the problems and burdens of the old year stayed in the past? Wouldn't it be great to face a new year with a whole new slate, to start over fresh? It might be nice, but it doesn't happen.

However, we, as God’s people, do have something to bring into the new year that can and will provide us with new opportunities and hope. Our Lord Jesus Christ is with us. We can face the new year with faith in Jesus Christ. We can be assured that our Lord is with us each and every day.

When St. Paul was facing a very difficult situation, he recognized that the Lord was with him. He wrote, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength” (2 Timothy 4:17). The Lord was his source of strength.

As you enter a new year, hold on to the promises and the presence of Your Lord and Savior. May you always find in Him your source of strength and peace!

- Pastor