Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

     A new year!  2005 is here - and it seems like I only just got used to writing "2004" on my checks!
     A new year!  Did it sneak up on you, too?  No wonder, with the Christmas season just behind us - and the busy-ness of Advent as well.  And let's not forget the situation of our world, which has kept us riveted to the new outlets.
      A new year!  2004 is behind us.  2005 is no longer talked about in "future" terms; it's the present.  2005 brings with it a clean slate.  We can take the lessons we've learned in 2004 and apply that wisdom to our lives in this new year. We can leave pain and heartache behind and be confident that God is with us in our new present time.  We can be assured of increased opportunity to serve God and one another in these twelve months that are in front of us.
     Look at what we have to look forward to.  We have a friendly, healthy, growing congregation.  We have felt God's call to reach out beyond our church walls and grow in missions.  We are seeking to deepen our understanding of faith and belief; we want to grow closer to God.  And going beyond these blessings, God has even more in store for us.
     This is an exciting time to be at Lincoln Chapel.  Our ministries are expanding.  Our congregation is growing.  Our outreach is being felt around the world now more than ever before.  We've seen miracles in our midst.  And we've seen God's grace carry individuals through great tragedy.  In a day and age where seeing is believing, let me invite you to look around you.  God is here!  And I'm sure that this new year is going to be one where we see, even more clearly, God's hand at work.
     2005 is not going to be "just another year".  2005 will be an opportunity - for all of us to receive and recognize God's greatest blessings.  Come - and let's see where God is leading us!

     Marcia and I wish you an opportunity filled New Year.

Pastor Jon West