wi"Interesting Beginnings"

"....Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, He entered the synagogue and taught..." (Mark 1:21)

Last week, we heard Jesus announce the beginning of His Gospel ministry. He calls four guys to serve with Him, and now He heads home with them, being that they were from Capernaum. It's there that Jesus makes an official start to what would be His three-year ministry.

It's interesting that it would begin this way. He enters the synagogue, a place of sacredness and inspiration. It was a holy place for people to come and experience the presence of God.

What is interesting is the fact that in the midst of such a holy place, Jesus' first experience would be with a man with an unclean spirit! Here, in a holy place-a place where you wouldn't expect the unholy-Jesus is indoctrinated into the real world of ministry with a real encounter with evil!

Welcome to the real world, Lord!

But-this is holy ground-how could this be?

The Bible is not a book of fairy tales. It's not a story book where the time line that is there is not connected with our time line. It doesn't begin "Once upon a time..." but rather is connected with us, separated by only 2,000 years. These stories are real-not made up; Mark is the story teller but his stories are based on truth. All 16 chapters of the Gospel of Mark tell the basic story of Jesus Christ. This is what we wholeheartedly believe.

What does this say about Christian ministry, then? It says that following Christ is real and it is hard! We will have to face some wonderful experiences but also some scary and horrible times as well. As our Lord shows us, even He wasn't exempt from evil and frightening moments of life! Neither are we!

The Good News for this week is that even though we live in a difficult world, God is always with us-He never leaves us! In the face of adversity, Jesus is confident and unafraid-even with evil trying to stare Him down!

With an ounce of faith, you and I can withstand anything that the world can throw at us. As we join in community (where we are not alone), we have the blessing of the Holy Spirit to walk through this fragile life. Don't be afraid but confident! You always have God on your side!

To God be the glory of all that we believe and hold dear; Trust in God and know that His love endures forever! And know, God is always close by, even though the going gets rough

Your friend in Christ

Pastor Jim

CONFIRMATION CLASS: 

resumes today, 4:00 - 6:00 PM in the library.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST:
Saturday, February 4, 8:00 AM at Golden Corral.

WELCA ANNUAL TEA:
Sunday, February 19, 2:00 PM at the home of Martha Montgomery.

COUNCIL ORIENTATION:
Saturday, February 4, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Winged Deer Park Board Room.

PRIME TIMERS:
will meet Wednesday, February 1, 11:00 AM at the church for a brief meeting.  Lunch will follow at Cracker Barrel.  Call Berla Smith (282-0508) for reservations.

SOUPER BOWL FOR CARING:
begins today and runs through February 5.  The youth will collect "loose change" which is kept locally for hunger issues.  The youth have chosen to give all collections to our own "Melting Pot."   Next Sunday - bring that loose change!  Thanks!

NEXT SUNDAY:
the children of our Sunday School will present the Call to Worship for the Blended Service at 10:30 AM.  Parents are encouraged to have their children in Sunday School at 9:00 AM for a  final rehearsal before the service.  

FLOWER CHART:  

The flower chart for 2012 is posted on the bulletin board near the fellowship hall. Two families may sign for any Sunday if mutually agreed. Cost is $60.00 (30.00 per vase). The remaining Sundays of January are open; three Sundays in February are open.

Alice Sulkowski; Jason Rakel; Alice Sue Bolyard; Selena Guinn; Roger Hawk; Doug Beier; Ann Stroup; Mike Ackley; Mark Foster; Dara Anderson; Kathy Quickel; Margaret Wilhoit; Judy Maddox; Brandon Knipp; Esther Hasselbeck; Rosemary Beier; Doris Golden; Nancy Bollinger; Nicole Peters; Stephanie Patteson; Terry Iiames; Deborah Hendricksen; Sue Garland; Kay Shackleford; Pam Reed; Trish Gradley (daughter of the Simonsons)

"Update on Alabama Tornadoes"