From the Pastor's Desk:
Welcome to 2026 - a new year, a fresh start, and an opportunity for change! Have you ever considered that we have a scriptural promise of a fresh start each and every day? Do we take advantage of this knowledge or do we think, “Nice idea, but how does that really work?”
 
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” That sounds fairly easy, does it not? But what exactly does it mean to be ‘in Christ?’
 
First of all, we must accept God’s gift of Christ’s sacrificial death as payment for our sins - past, present, and future. This puts us “in Christ” as well as having Christ in us. God sees us through the ‘Christ lens.’ As a result, we are accepted by God as if we are Christ Himself.
 
Romans 10:9 tells us clearly that “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” How can one do this unless he or she is ‘in Christ?’ This is our Christian witness to those around us - a witness that is more often seen rather than heard.
 
It can be difficult for some to accept this free gift from God. Why? Because our pride prevents us from accepting what only God can do for us. We often “feel” unworthy, creating a false humility. True humility, though, is accepting God’s good gifts and using them to praise and serve Him.
 
In this coming year, may our only “New Year’s resolution” be to be ‘in Christ.’ May we daily strive to reach into the lives of those around us with our renewed attitudes that reflect the love of Christ in all that we say and do!
 
Let’s do ministry together!
 
You are loved,
Pastor Karen