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Text Box: From Your Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Coach, I can't do it. I've ruined you, I've ruined myself, I've ruined the University of California. I couldn't face that crowd to save my life." "Roy, get up and go back out there — the game is only half over.” —Halftime exchange between Roy Riegels and head coach Nibs Price On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California. Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his teammates, Benny Lom, caught him and downed him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety which was the ultimate margin of victory. That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?" The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room. They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels. He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby. If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time. Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second." The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He did not budge. The coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move. Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second." Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears. "Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life. I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life." Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegels’ shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on

back; the game is only half over." And Roy Riegels went back, and it is said that people have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.

I share this story as we begin a new year to remind us that we have another half (2010) to live. Will you sit in the corner and cry over all that has happened in the past year, or will you get back in the game and make 2010 a great year in your life, in our church and in our community. I challenge you as I challenge myself to make this year a great year for the Lord.

Sunday, Jan. 10

10:30 AM “Visit of the Wise Men”

Matthew 2:1-12

6:00 PM “Baptism of Jesus”

Luke 3:15-22