24/12/2022
DECEMBER 24th 2022
*dear family, saints of God*
I would like to take a moment to say thank you
I am so grateful for how you have served so sacrificially this past year.
Whether it's leading people, shepherding, setting up for worship, serving on a mission trip, or any one of the countless other (usually unseen)
This Christmas, as in all previous years we celebrate *'Jesus '*
Without Christ's presence among us we would be lost
Through God's presence working within us we are being healed, transformed, reconciled and made whole.
Whatever a year it has been, and it is not even over yet. There are times we look back over this past year in wonder and amazement.
I know this year has been months of difficulty on so many levels for so many people.
We are sensitive to the grief and loss that many of you are experiencing.
However, these challenging times have also provided us with the opportunity to exercise our faith, we have witnessed acts of profound kindness and creative ingenuity that remind us of the better angels within us.
Even then, I understand it is sometimes difficult to see the good when we feel so overwhelmed by despair, but *Christmas* reminds us of something critical to keep in our minds,
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it,
*John 1:5*
my brethren, there many more reasons to be grateful and filled with hope because of our faith. God has and will continue to help us to see all of this through.
I pray you may see what is ahead because there is a bright future awaiting. I believe, as many of you do, too, that God is leading us into a new season of life and ministry together.
My only request is to ask you to don't give up or go away.
We can only do this if stay together and true to one another.
I am confident in the success of our church and that we will celebrate many more *Christmas* together.
I am privileged to be your Apostle, and I feel incredibly blessed and honored to be with you.
*I wish you
