Winter 2025-2026 November – The UPS and DOWNS: The story of Elijah – For each Sunday in November, we will look to the account of Elijah in the Old Testament books of 1st & 2nd Kings. As we look at his life serving God, we will see that he experienced some pretty incredible highs and deep lows, which had to be an emotional roller coaster. It is at the highs and lows that Elijah had just enough Faith to hold on in Faith. We need to have that same Faith, knowing that God knows us and what we are facing at every curve and hill of life. That doesn ’t mean that Elijah didn't have doubts and fears; we will see that he did, but still, he held on with just enough Faith. His life shows us that we, too, can ride out the ups and downs to the end and claim our reward. We are not alone, and we will overcome; that is Jesus' promise in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ”
December – What a GIFT! – This year ’s Christmas theme is centered around the greatest gift of Christmas – Salvation! Each year, we celebrate Christmas by giving gifts. Some spend a lot of time and energy trying to find the “perfect” gift, which can be difficult. Gift -giving does get harder and harder, and if you are like my family, it has ceased. But isn ’t Christmas about gift -giving? Yes, about the gift that God has given to us through Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. This year, as we count down to Christmas, we will look at what a gift we have been given and how it is the perfect gift, exactly what we need, want, and long for! Christmas is all about the GIFT! 2 Corinthians 9:14 -15: 14 … because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
January – Salvation: FROM WHAT and FOR WHAT - As we kick off the new year, we will begin exploring an 8 -week study of our gift of salvation by looking at what we ’ve been saved from and for. In our world, sometimes it is difficult not to be caught up in all of the good that we forget what this world, because of sin, is destined for. We are saved from……enteral damnation. We often have a picture in our minds of what Hell will be like, with the red imp running around with its pitchfork, tormenting us forever. There is truth in our cartoon depiction, but there is so much that we don’t really comprehend. Though we don ’t want to dwell on the horrible, we do need to understand that it will be unimaginable. We will then conclude the study by looking at what we are saved for: HEAVEN! There is also so much more to Heaven that we don ’t know and cannot imagine either. Knowing what we have been saved from is essential, but it sure helps us keep it in perspective by reminding us of what we have been saved for: eternity in heaven with God forever! Let ’s hold on to 1 Thessalonians 4:17: After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. We need to know!