Proverbs says, “Pride goeth before a fall.” It seems to be true. I was filled with pride that I had not succumbed to the bad cold that Sarah had for the last month, but then I got it  last weekend and missed church! I am grateful to Holly for stepping in at the last minute to cover the Sunday services. I  heard she did a wonderful job once again.

Last Sunday, we were glad to welcome Jean Batts as our latest new member. Jean grew up in the Methodist Church where she had an intense experience at her baptism. She vividly  remembers that she felt changed, which is what we hope for all who are baptized. Then after a tragic automobile accident in 1984, she struggled with faith for a while. But during her  recovery, she found God again in a very profound way and once again knew that God was there for her. She has a great testimony about God’s prevenient grace. Jean is an artist, and  since 1985 she has done animal portraits. Her contact information is 889 Furlong Drive, phone 859-327-4289, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We are trying our best to start this year in the right way as far as organizational preparation goes. We spent three Sundays on volunteer recruitment. We discovered our passion  hrough a spiritual gifts inventory; we examined the volunteer opportunities through the Ministry Fair; and we made our commitments last Sunday by turning in our volunteer pledge  ards. This coming weekend the Church Cabinet will have their annual planning session. Then on Sunday we will install the officers for the new church year, and we will be ready for
the journey!

I am enjoying exploring the journey theme in my sermons for this year. Next Sunday’s sermon will be “The Journey into the Unknown” based on Genesis 12:1-9. Abraham was one of   the first great travelers in the Bible, and he always seemed to travel with a tent and an altar. I think those are good metaphors for our journey as well. Then on  February 5, we will be  celebrating Scout Sunday, and I plan to point out lessons for the journey from Scouting. On February 12, we will have a history lesson for our newer members by talking about our history as the Traveling Church.

Mickey