By now all the presents have been put away. The worries about what we are buying for whom and where we have to be are behind us. Hearing all the same stories about the baby being born in Bethlehem have been told. To most of us it still is a fantastic miracle. We try to pass it on to a new generation; but some sadly don’t seem to care. We keep trying because it is an important message for their future.  It is a new year, a new beginning for you, for me and for the church.  If you think our church here in Steubenville is the only church going through changes think again. Many churches are making big decisions about the pandemic and low attendance, even when the virus is not around.  Many churches are wondering where they are going and what they can do to put church back in people’s lives. Just like our own personal lives the church must make decisions about life and we worry are we doing the right thing, moving in the right direction. As long as your decisions begin and end with Jesus Christ you won’t go wrong.  Jesus knows what is best. Even if we stray from his direction He waits for us to move back towards Him.  Luckily we don’t have to go through life or decisions alone.  We have our family, our friends and our church family that we have grown to share and form a bond with. Jesus is never far from our side.

          Remember for the New Year to choose happiness. Count your blessings and thank God for them. Constantly strive for goodness and goodness will come back to you. Be kind, show love and it will shine from your face. People may be grumpy back to you but do these things anyway. Life is a journey so make it a worthwhile ride.

          This year we will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is News Years Day.  -Edith Pierce

          All your opportunities are possible with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

                                      Have a wonderful New Year,

                                            Rev. Coy