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Text Box: I hope that everyone has been able to stay safe and warm through the weather we have been experiencing. I really did not want to cancel services on Sunday, but am glad that I did after seeing our church parking lot which was still covered on Monday morning. Since we were not able to have services, we also were not able to receive your tithes and gifts to the church. Just as you responded in a positive way in October when we had our Catch-Up Sunday, I know that you will do the same this Sunday. I know that you will catch-up by giving for both last week and this week. Please help us keep up with the church finances through your regular gifts to the Lord and His work. In reflecting on the snow that we received, I want to note two things about it. First, newly fallen snow is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. I find it absolutely amazing to wake to a snow-covered landscape as we did on Saturday. It is a “wow” moment to see the snow before it has been disturbed by humans and vehicles. As I saw the untouched snow on Saturday morning, I was reminded that this is what our lives look like when we have received the forgiveness of God for our sins. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) And so, it was another “wow” moment when I considered what God has done for us. Isn’t it amazing what God can do both in nature and in our spiritual lives?

The second thought that I have about the snow is that it becomes less than a pretty sight after it has been disturbed by both humans and traffic. When I got out Saturday afternoon (thankful for the 4-wheel drive Jeep), the snow was no longer white along the roads, and you could see footprints, sled marks, and other disturbances in the snow. When I got out on Monday morning to come to the office, the snow along the roads was brown and ugly. It was unbelievable what a difference two days had made in the scenery, from beautiful to less than attractive. And my ride in yesterday reminded me of another important fact. When we allow sin to enter into our lives, we become discolored and ugly spiritually as well. Sin has a way of distorting the beauty that God has created in us through His forgiveness.

The question that arises for each of us, “what does my life look like right now?” Is your life as white and beautiful as snow because you have been cleansed by God, or has it been discolored and marred by sin? My prayer is that it is as white as snow, but if it isn’t you know that God is waiting for you to come to him and be cleansed. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

I hope to see you all Sunday, and the only snow I want to see is each of our cleansed lives. Have a good week!

From Your Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sunday, Feb. 7

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

“Who Is It?”

Isaiah 6:1-8,

1 Corinthians 15:1-11,

Exodus 3:1-4:31

“The Unsearchable Riches”

Ephesians 3:1-12