Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

On behalf of the McClellan and Mount families, I want to begin this year's newsletter correspondence with a word of great gratitude for the generosity of this congregation. Jeremy and I are genuinely humbled by the numerous blessings which our families have received during this Christmas season, and want to thank you for all your loving support. It is a great gift indeed!

As Kristi and I look at the remnants of wrapping paper still dispersed about the living room floor and wonder what it would take for that Christmas tree to magically take down itself, we nevertheless find it a good time to reflect upon the joyous implications of the gifts we are given at Christmas. Even in my remembrance of the babe at Bethlehem, I find that there are new features that I may have overlooked, or even taken for granted.

For instance, one of the beautiful titles of our Lord is "Dayspring," which literally means "sunrise." In his hymn of praise and prophecy, Zechariah echoes and announces the fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy (4:2) by the birth of Christ-"the Dayspring from on high has visited us" (Luke 1:78, NKJV). Or, as it is translated in the Common English Bible, "Because of our God's deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us."

As we heard on Christmas Eve, John tells us that "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it" (1:5). Luke simply tells us that it was very dark when Jesus, our Dayspring, came from on high. But he came as a glorious sunrise, "to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of peace" (Luke 1:79, CEB).

As many of our winter visitors would attest, January is a wonderful time to watch a sunrise along Perdido Key. As you do, consider it a grand opportunity for worship, prayer, or other means of devotion.

As Charles Wesley portrayed it in Hymn #173 of the United Methodist Hymnal:

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness arise,

Triumph o'er the shades of night;

Dayspring from on high, be near;

Daystar, in my heart appear.

As we stand together at the dawn of a new year, let us look to the One whose radiance has the power to dispel the darkness of the past. I am looking forward to a brilliant 2012 at PBUMC!

Arise, shine! For your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you! (Isaiah 60:1).

With Love,

Darren 

The Redemption Store has been in operation now for almost a year and thanks to the devoted and hardworking volunteers we can truthfully say the success has exceeded our expectations. "Where has the money raised through the Redemption Store gone?" is a question we're are getting quite often and the following is a summary that hopefully will answer that question.  

Local Groups and Organizations assisted with monetary donations:

Favor House of Northwest Florida, a home for abused and battered women and children

Wesley Haven Villa, a retirement facility in downtown Pensacola

sponsored by the Methodist Churches

Loaves and Fishes Ministries

Manna Food Bank

Perdido Bay Baptist Church's local food bank

Global Learning Center/ Adopt a School

Free children and adult bibles for the Redemption Store

Regional Groups and Organizations assisted with monetary donations:

Tornado Victims in North Alabama

UMCOR

Alabama Rural Ministries

Geiger, Alabama Mission Trip

Red Bird Mission in rural Kentucky

International Donations

Light Evangelism Ministry, an African Ministry

Support for construction materials and vacation bible school materials for

proposed Costa Rica Mission

In addition to these groups and organizations, the Redemption Store has enabled the church to assist local families in crisis through direct support and through the Pastors' discretionary fund, administrated directly by Pastors Darren and Jeremy. Additionally, that portion of the Church's commitment to missions in the Annual Apportionment, in the amount of $21,000, has been funded through Redemption Store revenues.

As you can see, the money raised has been a blessing to our church and has helped us benefit individuals as well as various organizations. As an additional blessing, the Redemption Store has assisted numerous individuals and organizations through non-monetary donations such as clothing to Warrington Middle School, Matamoras Mexican Mission, Innerarity Point Baptist Church's homeless mission and Mary's Shelter, a shelter for homeless pregnant women.  Towels and blankets are donated to the Wildlife Sanctuary of NW Florida. Over $690.00 in merchandise has been donated to needy families through vouchers.

Last but certainly not least, the Redemption Store is a place of service, caring and outreach.

Anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry can call Phyliss Karty at 850-332-6046 to volunteer.