Good morning, church family and Happy New Year!
Let’s pause in the middle of the week to check-in. While we are celebrating a new year, today is also the ninth day of Christmas! The arrival of God on Earth is too big of a deal to celebrate on just one day. So the celebration continues on this first Thursday of 2025 with a reminder that Jesus not only dwelt among us – He plans on coming back!
And why not receive one more gift in this extended Christmas season? Between the time of Jesus’ birth, life and death on earth and the time of His return in the future, He has a gift for you and me. Jesus talked about that gift in John 14.
I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. The Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you.”
John 14:16-17
You are not alone! I’m thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us, lead us and even simply be with us.
I’m also excited that we get to be with each other again on the first Sunday of 2025! Keep reading to see the latest announcements, and remember: God loves you, and so does your pastor!
--Pastor Billy
OFFICE HOURS: The church office will not be staffed the rest of this week but will return to regular business hours starting Monday, Jan. 6. The best way to reach Pastor Billy during this time will be though email: billy@woodlandlakescc.com.
BIBLE READING PLAN: Last Sunday I recommended a plan to read the entire Bible in one year. There are many good reading plans out there, but this one in particular includes animation and explanation videos to give context to what you’re reading each day. It’s on the YouVersion Bible App and it’s called “One Story That Leads to Jesus”.
CHRISTMAS CARDS: If you have not yet stopped by the Christmas Card Post Office in the church lobby, please find some time to do so this Sunday. There are still a few cards that haven’t been claimed, and there just might be a stack with your name on it!
JUST FOR FUN
Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:
A kitten in Tennessee was born with four ears.
It was 125 years ago when a man was asked to invent a way to better amplify light in hospital operating rooms. Instead he accidentally invented the snow globe.
A British woman recovering from a stroke woke up one day speaking in an Italian accent despite never having traveled to Italy nor learned the language.
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