Happy New Year friends!

I hope you feel refreshed after the celebration of Jesus' birth and the beginning of 2014. Joy and I were able to connect with most of the kids and grandkids, enjoy some trips to Seattle and Portland, and catch a couple of movies-"Saving Mr. Banks" (great story, actors) and "The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug" (long, mostly fighting, great imaginative scenes-eye candy for Hobbit fans but probably too much for others). 

And of course, there was that great Seahawk game on Sunday!

New Sermon Series:

Starting Sunday, we're going to spend some time in the Psalms. The series, "Life Lessons from the Psalms" was inspired by N.T. Wright's recent book, "The Case for the Psalms: Why they are Essential." It's a very personal book about the place of the Psalms in this great scholar's devotional life, and it is a plea for Christians to rediscover the Psalms for their personal and corporate worship.

We'll visit 6 Psalms from the first book of the Psalms to sample their spiritual, emotional, theological and imaginative power. If you are not familiar with the Psalms, I think you'll be surprised at how they connect with authentic human feelings-whether exuberant joy, utter despair, anger, confusion or clarity, but ultimately hope.

Youth Director:

Please pray for the Youth Ministry Task force as we post the Youth Director position and prepare for interviews and a recommendation to session. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let us know. The job is half-time and the salary is $18,000. A job description is available from the church office

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Read Through the Bible:

Yesterday, I started the read through the Bible in a year program in the formatted "The Daily Walk Bible," New Living Translation. I encourage you to join those of us who have made reading the Bible in a year a discipline of faith. I will be posting some brief comments from the reading on our church Facebook page along the way. Check it out!

Comfort Ministry: The first Thursday of the month from 6 - 8 pm in the Discovery Point Room (will not meet in January). Come quilt, tie blankets, or knit for those who need that extra touch of comfort in their lives while we fellowship. No previous experience necessary, only a caring heart. For further information contact Amy Constant 360.710.2427. 

• Men's Study: "The Great Omission - Rediscovering Jesus' Essential Teachings on Discipleship" Sundays at 11:30 at the home of Tom Curran. Contact Tom at tjcurrandds@msn.com for further information.
• Young Family Study: Dan and RandaLyn Novick offer a bi-weekly study from 4 to 7PM geared for families with young children as kids are welcome to the study. For further information contact Dan or RandaLyn at 779-9930 or email drnovick@centurylink.net
• A study of the Holy Spirit is held every Tuesday at 1PM in Poulsbo. All ladies are invited. For more information contact Sharon Gossman at 779-9416.
• "John" study authored by NT Wright on Thursdays at North Point. Pot luck and fellowship start at 6PM with study starting at 6:30. Contact Steve Gossman for further information 360.779.9416 
•  Women's Wednesday evening study: Mark "Explore Christianity"
   One Life..What's it all about.
  Wednesdays at 7PM at North Point.  Contact Patty Skellie at pkskellie@me.com or 360-434-4047
• Friday morning Young Mom's and Friends study"One Thousand Gifts: Dare to Live Fully Right Where you Are" by Ann Voskamp. This 6-week study starts January 17th and is from 9:30-11 at North Point. Childcare is provided. To sign-up or for further information contact Heather Morrison 360-626-1082 or Valerie Endicott 360-620-5005. Invite a friend!
• "Church History in Plain Language"Pastor Mike leads this study every other Thursday at North Point from 6:30-8 starting September 26th. Contact the office to sign-up.
• Sunday evenings at the Ratcliffe's. Taking summer break and will resume in October.
•  "When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy" by John Piper. Led by Craig Torstenbo on Monday evenings at the home of Debbie Harrington.