Dear Fam,

Hope you’re heading into the New Year with confidence. Yes — the obstacles are daunting: health woes, depleted bank accounts, business setbacks, children who are struggling, but the God who is with us and for us is greater than what opposes us. Will you stumble in 2012 – He will catch you. Will you falter in faith – He will not let you go. Will you waver in your commitment to Him – He will remain constant in His affection for you. Will you be faithless and disobedient this next year – He will never leave you or forsake you! To begin 2012 with confidence is not a false or conjured bravado; it’s simply living as a secure child who knows his Father has the whole world in His hands.

· Wow – with God’s blessing, we finished 2011 with some crazy momentum.
o 6981 lbs. of food donated during Hunger Week.
o 110 plus kids in Camp Christmas.
o A smash, sold-out musical feast – Christmas at Seven Rivers.
o 2819 people at Christmas Eve services – the most I can ever remember!

· Thank you, thank you, thank you to Dave and Judy Hoefakker. They began and beautifully led our Celebrate Recovery ministry for four years before “retiring” at the end of 2011. Their sacrificial service for so many was beautiful! Congratulations to Jeff Eekhoff who has been hired as the worship director at Good Shepherd (PCA) in Ocala! Jeff has been assisting in our music and worship department for the last eighteen months and we are excited for his new opportunity.

· Adam Jones’ class on the book of Daniel begins next Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 pm. The details and sign up form can be found here. Pastor’s Class begins next Wednesday, too. Do you have someone to bring? They may not come unless you offer to go with them!

· Our MLK Weekend Community Concert featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama is on January 15 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at the church office during office hours, before and after worship on the weekends at the Guest Services Desk or online.

· This weekend we begin our three service winter schedule – Saturday worship 6:00 pm, Sunday worship 9:00 am and 10:50 am. Theoretically, this should involve shorter sermons! I’ll be preaching on Mark 5:21-43.

Love,

Ray