January 'The Flame'

From the Heart of the Pastor

The calendars have turned over, the lights and trees are coming down, and everyone is mis-dating their checks. It’s beginning to feel a lot like a new year. And with it comes a natural time to think about improving ourselves and starting new things that we’ve long known we needed to do.
I know I sometimes struggle to find something to do. I’m old enough now to know what is too big a thing to pick for a resolution because I will never be able to start something like that. I pick a part of that big thing and strive to do that, and maybe I can do more in February. But I also still have hope in myself to push myself.
This year I am also making a new resolution: forgiveness. I am striving to let go of some things I’ve held on to for too long, and not grab hold of any new things that will come up in the new year. In my case that will mean reconnecting with someone, although I know that’s not always possible. Forgiveness does not equal forgetting or talking to the forgiven ever again, especially if that’s unsafe. Forgiveness is letting go of the past within your soul and moving yourself forward, letting God do what is His will with whatever happened. It’s entirely within yourself. It doesn’t involve any other person, although it can result in things that do.
Whatever your resolutions, I pray that they are Godly resolutions, and I pray that God give you strength to accomplish your goals and become a better disciple and more Christ-like person. We all should have that resolution. Amen. 

In Christ,
Pastor Michael Brown

United Women in Faith

The women closed out the year with a bang! $3,771.10 (combined total) was raised at the Annual Bazaar! I want to thank the veteran women for carrying on the task of running the bazaar. I was very disappointed that I was not able help with the bazaar due to circumstances beyond my control. Thank you to everyone who provided food items for lunch, items for the baked goods/craft table, silent auction items, items for the Country Store and anyone who provided entertainment throughout the day. Thank you to everyone who worked throughout the day. On behalf of the United Women of Faith, Thank you for your support of the Annual Bazaar. It was a success because of all of you.
The New Year starts next week. Thank you to Tammy Partsch for putting together our new booklets. A few changes have been made for the new year. On the Executive Board, Keitha Thomson is now the Secretary, Mary Stevenson is the Treasurer, and Carol Crook is on Nominations. Thank you for taking on these positions.  The mission emphasis for January and February is collecting school items for Head Start, SENCA, and the local schools. Crayons, pencils, paper, tissues, glue, small books, backpacks etc. Thank you for all the donations made during the past year.
Monthly meetings; Mary Martha will meet on Tuesday, January 6th, at 7:15 PM. Keitha Thomson and Deb Orndorff are co hostesses. Ruth Lagerstrom has the program. Esther Circle will meet on Thursday, January 8th, at 1:30 PM in Gage Hall.   Lucille Sharp is the hostess. Sara Malone has the program. The program for both groups is the Pledge service.
In February, Mary Martha will meet on Tuesday, February, 3rd at 7:15 PM. Keitha Thomson and Carol Crook will be co hostesses. Sara Malone will have the program.  Esther Circle will meet on Thursday, February, 5th, at 1:30 PM in Gage Hall. Joan Hoagland is the Hostess. Sara Malone has the program.
Have a blessed New Year!
Deb O.

Samaritan’s Purse and   Operation Christmas Child in Jamaica

Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse, recently posted about Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child in Jamaica.  Samaritan’s Purse was one of the first humanitarian organizations to enter Jamaica in response to Hurricane Melissa.

In Black River where the Category 5 storm made landfall, they established a field hospital because the local medical facility there was destroyed.  They treated over 2500 patients and performed more than 100 surgeries. 

They also used helicopters to conduct mobile medical responses to more than 1200 people in locations where access was blocked because of storm damage.  They set up community water systems as well as distributed hygiene kits, solar lights, shelter tarps, Bibles and more to impacted residents.

Jamaica has 1600 churches on an island roughly the size of Connecticut.  That’s a church every 2.5 square miles.  Since 1998 Samaritan’s Purse has been working with the island churches to distribute Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  

Recently Franklin’s son, Edward, went to Jamaica aboard the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft and delivered 9000 shoe box gifts.  They helped one of the church partners in Black River distribute fun-filled shoe boxes to the delight of boys and girls who have seen much suffering this fall.  Not only did the children hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at these outreach events, they were also invited to join The Greatest Journey, the 12-lesson discipleship class for shoebox recipients.  They will learn more about Jesus, including how to follow Him and share Him with their friends.

Franklin Graham’s closing request was, “The needs are still great in Jamaica.  Would you join me in praying for families who have lost so much and are trying to get back on their feet again?”

LET’S DO IT!!!                
Mary Stevenson, 
Operation Christmas Child Chairman