How can I use the New Year
To better serve my Lord?
I’ll read my Bible every day,
And be more in accord.

I’ll find new ways to serve others;
I’ll love my neighbor, too.
I’ll focus on "give" instead of "get"
In everything I do.

I’ll forgive the people I’m mad at;
Angry feelings I’ll discard;
I’ll try to love my enemies,
Even though it’s hard.

In the new year, I’ll lift people up,
Instead of putting them down.
I’ll fill my heart with love and joy,
And never wear a frown.

I’ll let go of my worries;
I’ll put it all in His hands;
I’ll repent and try to sin less,
And obey all His commands.

These new year’s resolutions
Are difficult, at best,
But there’s something I can do each day
That will put my soul at rest:

I’ll love my Lord with all my heart,
With all my mind and soul,
And if I do that essential thing,
All the rest will be in control.

   Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Gonzalez would like to thank all the Youth who participated in the Christmas Eve service. We appreciate you taking the time to make our evening service a lovely experience for all who attended. Thank You!

We would also like to thank the families who provided Dinner for our Youth Sundays.

The Calders, McVeighs, Schroeders, and the McClungs. They were all delicious!

   As we enter into the New Year, my family and I begin to prepare for another Holiday tradition known as the Epiphany or El Dia de los tres Reyes. It is a time when the Gonzalez family celebrates the coming of the Magi or three Wiseman. We begin to count down the 12 days of Christmas beginning December 25 and ending on January 6^th. The twelfth night, or January 5 is a time of celebration, including a delicious feast. We mark the visit of the Wiseman with a King Cake, which is my children’s favorite part of the celebration. The cake is round which symbolizes the circular route the Wiseman took while traveling to visit Jesus. They followed this route to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow the Wiseman so he could kill the Christ Child. A bean is baked into the cake and whoever gets the piece with the bean in it gets treated like royalty the following day as well as have good fortune during the New Year. But, what my family and I are truly celebrating is the meaning of the Epiphany. The word Epiphany means "to show" or "reveal", and it reminds us of the coming of the Wiseman who brought gifts to Jesus at their visit. They were the first Gentiles who acknowledged Jesus as King, and so were the first to show Jesus to the world as the incarnate Christ. The bible mentions that Jesus is the one for all people, all nations, all races, and that his work would not be limited. It is during our feast that my family and I remember all the blessings we have and pray for new blessings in the New Year for all people, nations and races. God be with you all during this newly blessed New Year!