31 Jan Ordination for Kris Hicks set for February 18

“Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, let it SNOW!

The weather outside for a few weeks last month was frightful; maybe it was a consolation prize for not getting that white Christmas we usually sing about in December.

Here’s a verse that came to my mind: “God says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth, and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour’ (Job 31.6). I hope you all managed to stay warm and safe during the interruption of weather we all experienced.

There’s a lot going on in our lives, and some of them (including the weather) are beyond our control. It can create anxiety and spill over into our relationships. Our lack of control exposes our weaknesses and can make us feel vulnerable and stressful.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “In one sense, the road back to God is a road of moral effort, of trying harder and harder. But in another sense, it is not trying that is ever going to bring us home. All this trying leads up to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, ‘You must do this. I can’t.'”

February is a month in which many of us think about our loved ones. Let’s spend time giving thanks for those in our families who pour love and support into our lives. May we realize that “life is a gift” by not taking each other and our time together for granted.

It’s also a good time to be reminded of the importance of our church family. Each one of us has a place in the life of this fellowship, and our presence and participation is vital for our health as a congregation. How we treat each other is a witness to our community and world. It our treatment of each other that gives witness to our fidelity to Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another'” (John 13.34-35).

What’s new about this command? It is that the criterion for our love must be that of how Christ loved us. This is a high standard, one that we must continue in our struggle to meet each and every day.

There’s a number of great ministry and worship opportunities coming up this month. Among the most important events this month is the ordination of Kris Hicks to the gospel ministry.

Kris has gone through a process of prayer and questioning, and our church has given approval to his request for ordination. We have seen evidence of the Lord’s work in his life and give support to his calling to Christian ministry.

Our church is blessed to be the first full-time ministry position for Kris, and he will always remember this church for this reason and that he was ordained by our family of faith.

I hope you’ll make plans to be present for this happy and holy moment in his life and that of our church family–DC