Dear Church family –

Here we are at the beginning of a new year and in the middle of a series about the vision for our church. It seems like I should be feeling hope and excitement about what is coming. But that is not really what I am feeling right now.

As most of you know, I have been trapped at home for a number of weeks, and during that time, I have been watching a lot of home improvement shows.

In each one, in order to create the perfect kitchen or bathroom or whatever-room, you have to do a lot of demo. And it appears that most of the time it is best to remove everything, right down to the studs. From that gutted base, the room can be rebuilt in a new, better way. Without demo there is no room for improvements or for things to be fixed or strengthened.

I feel like I am in the middle of demo. God is making me look at things down to the studs, and He is cleaning out some things that need to be removed to transform me the way He wants. Shelley has been talking about remembering the past to be transformed by it. Maybe remembering the past for me involves getting honest not only about what happened but also about my part in it. I need to face my true motives and the condition of my heart. This is definitely not fun, so I am hoping that this demo will allow God to make room in my life for what He wants to do and that He makes something beautiful from it.

So whether you are currently in the demo stage or the decorating stage of your personal building project, I am praying that you will be willing to listen to what God is saying and be willing to face whatever He is showing you in order to be transformed to something that you could never imagine.

I look forward to hearing about the projects that God is doing in your lives!

Janet McCarty

This Week

• Community Worship, Sunday, 10:00 am
• Verse of the Month: “My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry.” James 1:19
• Virtue of the Month: Self-Control—Choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do

Announcements

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Volunteers and their families are invited to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Saturday, January 21, 2012, 5-8 pm at Crosswinds. Please contact Shelley Bauer () for more information or to RSVP.

Snow Squad

Snow Squad provides another great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors! Send your preferred contact method (cell phone or e-mail) to Michele Nelson (). You will receive a message with information about when the Snow Squad will gather to serve our neighbors after a significant snowfall.

GLO Winter Retreat

GLO Student Ministries heads to Camp Griesheim for their winter retreat January 27-January 29. Students should bring snacks to share. Also, if you have any of the following you would be willing to let them use for the weekend, please let Sheree know (): electric griddle, George Foreman-style grill, remote control car, and oversized sock-’em-bopper-type gloves. Thanks so much!

Sacred Marriage

The Sacred Marriage study resumes on January 28, 6-8 pm in the Library.

Celebration Sunday

Celebration Sunday is January 29! Let Shelley () know if you would like to share what God is doing in your life or be baptized. There will not be a lunch due to the GLO retreat—ask someone to go to lunch with you!

FX (Family eXperience)

The next FX will be Friday, February 3, in the Fellowship Hall. Invite your friends and family for this fun, high-energy evening of worship and learning!

Artist of the Month

Our January Artist of the Month is Emma Fenton. See her artwork on display in the Library. Sign up to share your artwork in the future by e-mailing Sheree at or by stopping by the Journey Shack on Sunday morning.

The Bike

Jude Van Allen is the Kid of the Month and is highlighting Birthright, an international organization that helps any girl or woman regardless of age, race, creed, marital, or economic status, who feels
distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Donation needs include diapers, formula, and maternity and baby clothes.

GLO Student Ministries

Put the following events on your calendar!

Jan 27-29 – Retreat to Camp Griesheim

GLO Fundraiser

GLO Student Ministries is collecting "stuff" to be sold in their spring fundraiser. Drop off donated items in the Jr. High room downstairs or just give them to Sheree. Contact with questions.

GLO Mission Trip

The GLO Mission Trip to West Virginia will take place July 22-27 (plus travel time). GLO has been blessed with a donation that will cover 13 deposits ($75 deposit per person), so we need to know as
soon as possible who is planning to go. Contact for more information.