Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

     A new year!  2002 is here - and it seems like I only just got used to writing "2001" on my checks!
     A new year!  Did it sneak up on you, too?  With the Christmas season just behind us - and the busy-ness of Advent as well.  And let's not forget the situation of our country, which has kept us riveted to the new outlets.
      A new year!  2001 is behind us.  2002 is no longer talked about in "future" terms; it's the present.  2002 brings with it a clean slate.  We can take the lessons we've learned in 2001 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.
     I cordially invite you to attend a church wide Visioning and Goal Setting on Saturday, January 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  We'll spend time together in study, prayer, activity, brainstorming, and developing plans for ministry in 2002 and beyond.  You'll need to bring your Bible, TWO sandwiches, and a can of soup (not cream based, though).
     This special gathering is for those people in our congregation who are interested in sharing their ideas about ministry, for those individuals who have caught a glimpse of God's will for our church, and for anyone who wants to see Lincoln Chapel follow God's direction into the future.
     Of course, there will be food - plenty of it, I'm sure.  And we'll have singing, too.  It's sure to be a time of fellowship and spiritual growth.  Come - and let's see where God is leading us!
     2002 is not going to be "just another year".  2002 will be an opportunity - for all of us to receive and recognize God's greatest blessings.
     Marcia and I wish you an opportunity filled New Year.

Pastor Jon West