Happy New Year!  Come as we celebrate the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child this Sunday.  Join us as we gather at our Lord’s Table.  Pastor will be speaking from Ephesians 1:1-14.

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The January Good News was mailed today.  Due to new postal procedures for bulk mailing, those living in the Absecon, Galloway and Pleasantville may notice a delay in receiving these mailings from now on.  Those living outside of this area should expect no change. 

Anyone wishing to change the way they receive information from the church can fill in the Survey for Reducing Mailing Costs or contact the church office.

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The deadline for the Annual Report is Monday!  All chairpeople, leaders of groups and organizations, etc. are to submit a brief summary of their past year.  Group treasurers are also required to submit a financial accounting for 2008. 

Annual Report booklets will not be mailed this year.  You will be notified when it is available for pick-up at the church. 

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The Holiday Mailboxes will be taken down next week.  Please empty yours this weekend!  We are unable to forward any mail that is left at that time.

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A Bad Day? – Read Psalm 118

Dr. Cliff Arnall, a British psychologist, has developed a formula to determine the worst day of the year. One factor is the time elapsed since Christmas, when the holiday glow has given way to the reality of credit-card bills. Gloomy winter weather, short days, and the failure to keep New Year's resolutions are also a part of Dr. Arnall's calculations. Last year, January 24 received the dubious distinction of being "the most depressing day of the year."

Christians are not immune to the effects of weather and post-holiday letdown, but we do have a resource that can change our approach to any day. Psalm 118 recounts a list of difficulties including personal distress (v.5), national insecurity (v.10), and spiritual discipline (v.18), yet it goes on to declare, "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (v.24).

The psalm is filled with a celebration of God's goodness and mercy in the midst of trouble and pain. Verse 14 comes as a shout of triumph: "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."

Even when circumstances hang a sign on our calendar saying "Bad Day!" the Creator enables us to thank Him for the gift of life and to receive each day with joy.

David C. McCasland - from Our Daily Bread, January 24, 2006

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This Week in Our Church . . . 

Sunday            Communion               

              8:45 Breakfast

              9:30 Sunday School & Worship

            10:45 Refreshments

            11:00 Worship & KFC        

Monday           Annual Report Deadline

              1:15 Bible Study

              6:00 Senior Youth    

Tuesday           Epiphany              

Wednesday    

              7:00 Sarah Circle      

Thursday        

              9:00 PB & J

            10:00 Martha Circle

            12:00 Serve at Sr. Jean’s

              4:30 Lions & Lambs

              6:30 Handbell Choir Rehearsal

              7:45 Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Friday

Saturday

              8:30 Doug Jablonski Men’s Fellowship