The Ledger monthly newsletter of Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church
January 2020
| Turning Another Page
Show of hands of anyone hoping 2020 holds more promise than did 2019! We all know that there’s nothing magical about January 1, but every year we get a fresh feel for a new opportunity to start over. There are even traditions all across the globe for making ourselves better in the new year. Of course, not every culture starts their year off on January 1, but increasingly we do – Anno Domini, 2020ad, the year of our Lord. Last month I reflected on my 25-years of ministry with this congregation which has become a Well of Living Water for myself, our family, and our larger community. But going forward with nothing but a legacy seems like staying stuck in our past. Living Water flows forward. And so we turn another page in our calendar of faith-living. For the next two months we will explore the New Testament Epistle from Paul to his spiritual son Titus who had been assigned to the roll of leading the Church on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea just where the Aegean Sea meets it. It seems that the Cretan Christians were better at professing Christian faith than they were at actually practicing it. Therefore, Paul writes to their Pastor and counsels them with several New-Year-Resolution-like practices. Paul does not suggest that doing any of these “good works” will earn them salvation, or make God love them more – but that “these good works” give evidence of their being children of the Living God, followers of Jesus, those who have received and believed the Good News of God’s Son. |
| At the end of this month we hold our Annual Congregational Meeting wherein we recall the ministries of the previous year – the victories as well as the hardships; we hold a moment of silence in honor of our loved ones, family members and fellow LPC saints, who have gone on to glory; the ways we have witnessed God’s power and presence in our midst; and the wonders of mystery that may have enveloped our faith. That’s all legacy. But we will also look forward: elect new Deacons and Elders to their offices; elect another Nominating Team to seek God’s leading in finding the next class of new leaders; and dream and envision what God has in store for 2020 and beyond.
Before this page gets finally turned, I want to take a few moments to thank Lidgerwood for the ways you have been a community of grace to the Wheelers. As you can guess (or, you probably know from personal experience), pastoral ministry is not always fun and games. I admit to having the awesome privilege of being with families in their happiest moments, but I also have the honor of sitting with them in their worst scenarios. Those are privileges I never take for granted. But, 2016-2019 has also given me the benefit of being prayed for and cared for when we needed it. You are a blessing. I find myself Living Well at Lidgerwood, and drinking from Lidgerwood’s Living Well of Life-giving nourishment! Thank you – all of you – for allowing me to serve with you, and to grow with you. Mark
|
2020 Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 26, immediately following worship, join us for a Potluck Lunch and our Annual Meeting wherein we will review our past year, elect new officers, and listen for God’s call to us for the next years together! Everyone, LPC members and friends alike, are encouraged to stay for this meeting.
lidgerwoodpresbychurch 