On this 2^nd weekend of 2025, I hope your first steps in faith for your goals in life are giving you a sense of momentum.

Our experiences as a church family include simple steps of faith. We love the gatherings and shared opportunities for guests, members and friends to greet and encourage one another in Christ.

We thrive as heirs of God’s Kingdom when we see how valuable it is to “receive one another just as God, for Christ’s sake, has received you.” (Romans 15:7)

Overcoming obstacles is an obvious part of any goal that is close to our hearts. Each one involves actively aiming to learn more and gain insight from others who share a similar passion. That’s true in practical and recreational areas of life – for those in sports, music, leadership, investing, technology or other areas of interest. It’s also true in the way we approach loving, supporting and building up the Body of Christ.

It’s helpful to know that congregations in the Early Church era also faced great obstacles. When we take the Gospel to heart each day, we find a common bond with followers of Jesus in every generation (and throughout the world today) who have a much more daunting set of obstacles than we do.

One thing we all have in common, though, is the supreme value of that individual who God places beside us or near us in our daily lives. The care we invest in making the best of every conversation is one of the ways we can “receive one another”.

A simple definition can be eye-opening. For example, our English word “neighbor” comes to us from a Latin word that means “near one” or we might say, “the one who is near me”.

The next person in line in the grocery store is as much a temporary “neighbor” as the homeowner nearest us in our neighborhood. There are “neighbors” in business, community and recreation. And there are “near ones” in each gathering of a congregation whose presence is one of the sparkling gems in God’s jewelry case.

Thinking of a “neighbor” as the “next one” or the “near one” doesn’t mean we can have a meaningful connection to each one. That’s impossible. But the perspective God’s Word gives us on the “near ones” can be very enlightening even in the course of a very busy day or when other demands on our time are pressing.

Our calling is to bring God’s good news to a culture that has virtually no memory and little acquaintance with the real character of the Lord Jesus. Simple steps to reach a “near one” with a listening ear, an offer to pray with them or a bite-sized gift of Scripture that brings a promise or principle from God into their circumstances, are so valuable.

Witnessing for Jesus rarely begins with a spiritual question. It’s often the result of listening well and prayerfully being open to ways we can express God’s love to another.

The obstacles we encounter are real. But opportunities for giving the Gospel to a world in need have never been more plentiful than they are today. In so many of these “near one” and “next one” encounters in life we can see so clearly why Jesus said,  “Open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35 NIV)

We invite you to connect in fellowship and worship with a visit to Cafe Liberty in the half hour prior to 10:15 AM worship.

Come anytime between 9:45 and 10:15 as we crisscross to welcome our guests and bless them and our friends with a warm welcome.

We’re pleased to share Brian and Laken Green’s for home Bible study gatherings here:

All are invited to join us in a weekly Small Group Bible Study on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Brian and Laken Green. Monday, January 13th we will be starting a new study working through the Gospel of Mark. This would be a great time to join in if you have been wanting to participate in a Bible Study and have not joined us

yet. Those with children are welcome to bring them along with you as needed. If you are interested or would like more information, please see either Brian or Laken.

A Prayer Gathering in Zoom on Wednesday, January 15th @ 7:00 PM. We’ll join in intercessory prayer via Zoom for the upcoming Inaugural of the President, for the 119th Congress, the Maryland General Assembly and for many needs in and among church family and friends, co-workers and neighbors. Reply to this email or text me to be on the list for receiving the Zoom activation link for this online prayer gathering.