Happy Winter Everyone

Happy winter, everyone!
I've already managed to aggravate a good number of you with just three words. But that is okay, because we are all in this together, right? We began the week with ice and canceled services and we end it with snow, and plenty of it, though I suspect it likely would have been a bit deeper if our temps had dropped a little more. Staying at or above freezing, our accumulation was diminished, and it has excellent moisture content for packing (snowballs, snow people, snow forts, etc.)!

I want to say "thank you" to Jay Rhea for using the road maintainer on our parking lot early in the week. The ice was broken up and the gravel sufficiently stirred to get rid of the shiny sheet of glass that was ours last Sunday. This maintenance also provided a better surface for the subsequent snow to land on, and it should also allow for accelerated melting when the sun finally hits it (which I pray is soon). If you see Jay out and about, let him know you appreciate his efforts.

I say all that to say, we are looking forward to Sunday services followed by our thrice-postponed FIFTH SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON and MEMBERS' MEETING. both of both of which will follow the morning service, Lord willing and the weather cooperates. I plan to share a message in the afternoon on the STATE OF THE CHURCH with a view toward the future and what is in store for 2020. It looks like Saturday and Sunday will be clear and warm enough to have services without putting anyone at undue risk. As always, be cautious and use your best judgment when deciding to get out and about.

I would also propose another adjustment to the schedule in light of the meal and members' meeting: Instead of having our annual COMMITTEE WORKSHOP at 6 pm as previously scheduled, let's go right into it from the members' meeting with only a small break, roughly 2:45 pm. This meeting is for everyone serving on a committee, with special emphasis given to stewardship, personnel, nominating, trustees, and mission/vision. It should last no more than one hour. We will begin with a few brief instructions for everyone serving, then each committee/team can split off and get the ball rolling for the new year. Generally this means brainstorming what you hope to accomplish in 2020 and setting the date(s) for upcoming meeting(s). If you are serving on more than one committee or team, plan to apportion your time accordingly. 
(Our members' meeting and committee workshop will constitute our evening service).

"SOUPERBOWL" SUNDAY is February 2! And have you heard? A certain local team is going to be playing in it! It is our habit to get together for a Superbowl Watch party and chili cook-off. And this year will be no different  in that respect, though with the Chiefs playing, we may be watching with a little more intensity. Begin gathering at 4:30, bring your crockpots of chili for a little friendly competition, those who don't care to watch the football game bring your favorite board game or activity, and the game will be on the "big screen" in the old sanctuary. The game begins at 5:30. During halftime, we will have a devotional message focused on the Gospel.  Plan on coming out, bring the whole family, and invite a friend!

IN CLOSING
As we prepare for the Lord's Day, I would like to close this update on a serious note. Two important anniversaries occur within just a few days of each other each January: the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., arguably the greatest proponent of racial justice in the 20th century, and the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision from 1973, arguably the most far-reaching decision from that court in the 20th century. It may come as a surprise to some that some Southern Baptist leaders in the latter half of the 20th century came to embrace and advocate for racial justice well before they came to embrace and advocate for the pro-life position. This is something I will touch on in the Sunday sermon, "Let the Little Children Come to Me" from Matthew 18:1-10; 19:13-15, in a message on the sanctity of human life. I hope you will join me as we explore this important subject.
On this subject, I share with you three videos, one relatively short and the other two a bit longer:

• If you did not see the President's address at the March to Life on Friday, here is a link to it. It is well worth your time to view this historic speech, as President Trump is the first sitting president to speak at the march. (about 13 minutes)
• R. C. Sproul's classic lecture entitled "Abortion: How Sacred Is Life?" is linked here. Sproul makes the philosophical case for the sanctity of human life from three perspectives: Scripture/theology, natural law, and governmental law. (about 32 minutes)
• Al Mohler's exposition here of Psalm 139:1-18 at the 2019 Ligonier National Conference. The theme of the conference was "The Holiness of God" and his message was on the sanctity of life.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg