Happy Almost New Year High Places!
I don’t know of too many people who are going to miss 2021, or look back on it too fondly given the craziness of the pandemic era, but we certainly can look back with wonderful times worth remembering. High Places grew in spirit and deepened in a whole lot of ways during 2021. We’ve met several new people this past year, bringing new hearts and new hopes into our faith family. God brought healing to many in our midst who had been afflicted with cancer and other health concerns; and He has been restoring us and providing for us in ways that are making us stronger and more devoted to Him.
We begin the New Year as we did last year, by casting an eye (singular – meaning ‘vision’) toward all that God would have us do in 2022. He is leading and our job is to simply follow. I pray that you begin this new year looking and listening eagerly to how God will lead you in practicing His presence and building His kingdom in our community. And I ask that you pray for our staff at High Places as we do the same.
This Sunday – we return to our regularly schedule main-meeting time, 10:30 AM at the Grove, and we will be looking at our God’s incredible power to restore strength to the weary and to give His people the power they need to ‘soar on wings as eagles.’ I believe firmly that this activity of restoring our strength is exactly what God intends to do in our church during 2022.
Whatever bumps or hurdles you may have encountered in 2021, my prayer is that you arrive this Sunday with the humble expectation of God’s restorative power for the coming year!
Thursday, January 6 – We will be hosting our community for a community conversation on student health and wellness. Please help me spread this word as you are able! I am not sure what to expect regarding turn-out because this event has in many ways been lost in the shuffle and bustle of the holidays. You can read more here https://www.oakridgeperiodictables.com/jan6 and by all means, please share this link with friends and family, and on your social media pages.
We look forward to gathering together again in the New Year, and we look with gracious anticipation to all God will accomplish with us as we seek Him first for the coming year.
Love to you all,
David
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better person.” ― Benjamin Franklin