As I type this, it’s the day after Thanksgiving and I just got back from doing some shopping at

Best Buy and the Mall. No, I wasn’t there at 5 AM. (That would be really insane.) I did pick up a few things,

however. The deals were just too good to pass up. The main item that drew my attention this year

was a GPS unit for the car. I think these units were designed for men who won’t stop to ask directions,

or for those who don’t want to deal with re-folding a road map. They aren’t perfect, but they usually get

you to where you want to go.

      As we enter this Christmas season, I am excited about the direction our church is moving. Two projects,

the Organ/Sanctuary Project and the Handicap Lift, have moved from discussion to action. The handicap lift

has been installed and is operational. The Organ/Sanctuary Project is still in process. Many have asked the

question, “Will it be done for Christmas?”  Unfortunately, the answer is no. The complete project will not be

done by Christmas as we know for certain that the organ will not be ready.  If this were the only open item,

other options are available. However, other aspects of the project are also likely not be complete. This means

that the  sanctuary will probably not be available Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, and our services will

need to be held in the Parish House this year.

      While the project is not as far along as we would like it to be, it is  moving forward. When completed, our

facilities will be more handicap accessible, our sanctuary will be more versatile, and we will have a fantastic

new instrument to lead us in worship. We are already preparing for events that weren’t possible before the

renovations.  A concert by Richmond Choral and the George Lloyd Memorial concert are being planned.

Sundog Theater will be using the Parish House for a play in March. In addition to this, our Sunday School

attendance continues to do well. We’ve just had two baptisms, and a third is coming up. We are seeing

more visitors. Our web site is getting more “hits.”  The music program is going very well. Many things are

indicating that we are heading in the right direction.

      I think the reason for this, is because we have continually set our “Faith GPS” on Christ. Our stated Mission

is to “Know Christ, to Grow in our Faith and to Follow His Footsteps.”  And ultimately, the point of our faith journey

is not about what we are doing, but where are we going, and Who are we following? As we prepare to celebrate

Christmas, whether in our Sanctuary or in the Parish House, may our focus not be on the unfinished surroundings,

but on a Star in the sky, and a Child in a Manger, Who came into our unfinished world to guide us in the right direction.

                                                          Merry Christmas from Pastor Duane

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