Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Happy New Year to all! 2008 should include societal changes that will impact the people of God to varying degrees; however, let us believe for, pray for, and act for positive and powerful spiritual changes that will impact both our church and our society.

To this end, along with other practical realities, we have a time set aside in the month of January to seek the face of God in the disciplines of prayer and fasting. I hereby solicit the unity of the spirit of all the church family of Life Christian Center to participate in this 5-day fast beginning after prayer meeting on Thursday, January 10. We will conclude our church fast by celebrating the Lord’s Supper at the conclusion of our midweek Bible Study on Tuesday, January 15. May we join together in seeking God for the benefit of ourselves, our families, our country, and God’s church in 2008!

January holds opportunities for partaking of various ministries and fellowship with those of like precious faith as the Western District Section 9 Youth Rally is held on Saturday, January 12, and the Landmark Convention in Stockton takes place January 23-25. I hope many of us can make it to these events and enjoy!

Be prepared for exciting changes in the first quarter of 2008. Though details will be announced in the near future, I anticipate significant alterations in regard to our Lifegroups and Life classes in the New Year. I encourage all involved in familyLife, kidLife, teenLife, fusedLife, and balancedLife, to be in prayer (and in brainstorming mode) for ways to better minister - to God, to community and the unsaved, and to one another in 2008!

Please note that the week of February 10-16, 2008, our sanctuary will be closed for some “sprucing up.” The changes represented are to be simple and clean (as opposed to a major remodel), and I believe they will provide a proverbial breath of fresh air. For that reason, we are “going mobile” with the midweek service on Tuesday, February 12, as we will worship, pray, and study the Bible in the church annex. Also, the sanctuary work will will shut down early enough on the afternoon of Thursday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day), so that the married volunteers can have ample and appropriate time to express adequate romantic affections and gestures!

Also, I want to announce in advance, a forthcoming service unlike any I have ever planned. I am asking all of Life Christian Center to plan on being punctual and participatory in what I am calling a “Dr. Pepper Day” on Sunday, February 24, at 10:00am. One may ask, “What exactly is a ‘Dr. Pepper Day?‘” It will be revealed at the aforementioned time and date. See you there!

—
Pastor Max Manley