Greetings from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia!
I'm in the midst of the third class (The Testimony of Preaching Women) of my Doctorate of Ministry program. This is a four year program and I am at the beginning of the second year of study. In the year to come I will take another class in the summer plus begin work on my practicum. The practicum will be a practical application of my studies to my ministry at New Life. I am grateful for your support of my studies! I will be home this weekend and then the class concludes on Friday, January 22nd. In the meantime, you can reach me on my cell phone or by e-mail or by contacting Shawna, our secretary, or Rocky Harnen, our lay leader. They both know how to reach me.
We have several important meetings together over the next few weeks. Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
Tuesday, Jan. 26 7 p.m. Church Council
Saturday, Jan.30 9:30-12 Church Leader Training
We will vote on our budget for 2010 at the Church Council meeting so if you are a member of the Council, please make every effort to be there. However, everyone is invited to attend and to ask questions. Also, if you are one of our elected church leaders, you will receive a letter (and e-mail) late this week or early next week with more details about the training. But please plan to be there.
Also, please keep our youth in your prayers. Our youth director, Milanda Taylor, and three other adults as well as 22 of our youth will be at Sumatanga this weekend for the Behold retreat. They will leave on Saturday and return on Monday. Pray for travel safety, for fun and fellowship, but please pray especially for God to touch each life in a special way this weekend!
This week, we hear the beautiful words of the prophet, Isaiah:
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:1-5
Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann, points out in many of his writings that we learn about God in the Old Testament (and New for that matter) by what God does rather than by descriptions of the characteristics of God. If that is true, then we learn about God by looking at the verbs used to describe God's actions on behalf of Israel, the nations, and even all creation. One of the things you discover is that we worship an active God. A God who breaks into our histories and situations and acts on our behalf. What I especially like about this passage is that there is no if, ands, or maybes in the passage! God SHALL do these things.
· What is Isaiah compelled to do? And why?
· What does Isaiah fully expect God to do?
· Women usually take a new name when they marry. But others are given nicknames and other endearing names by people who respect and/or love them.
o Why is it important that Jerusalem and the land be renamed?
o Have you ever been given a new name?
§ What is the value of a new name?
§ What difference does it make to the one being renamed?
· Think about those things that bring you joy and delight.
o How does it feel to be delighted?
o How does it feel to know that God is delighted with us?
o What difference does that or can that make in your relationship with God?
Just a few of the questions floating around in my mind this week.
I know it has been cold, but we've missed many of you in worship! We hope to see you on Sunday!
Pastor Sherill 
