“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”

                                                                                    Isaiah 9: 2a

            In the scriptures, the word “darkness” suggests a difficult, if not sinister, event or circumstance.  Isaiah’s words were addressed to Israel as it faced an uncertain future under the rule of Assyria.  For Israel, that existence brought despair, the outlook that life, as it had been experienced in the past, would never be known again.

            The word “light” suggests an opposite experience, one packed with hope.  For Israel, a king in the line of David has ascended the throne.  He rules with “justice and righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.” (Isaiah 9: 7) 

            One of the meaningful events in the life of First Presbyterian Church is the Christmas Eve candle light service.  Symbolically, the lighted candles point to the Light, Jesus Christ.  As we hold the lighted candles we are reminded that the prophet’s words have been fulfilled in the Child of Bethlehem.  

            That Light shines, not only on Christmas Eve but throughout Advent and every other season of life.  The Light is seen in the radiant smiles we share with one another, in bright displays of love and communion in the church life we share and in caring acts we extend to the community.

            “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”  In our acts of adoration and service, people who walk in darkness certainly will see the brightness of Christ’s love shining through us.  

Joyfully,

David      

Annual Report                                                                                                                   (presented as part of the Annual Congregational Meeting on October 8, 2008)          

“Church Matters”

As we gather for the Annual Meeting, I am reminded of the many ways this church matters…

To the children of New Orleans who play on a playground constructed largely by money contributed as a grant from our Support and Endowment funds…

To the children who receive nurture and care in our Weekday School program…

To the people who gather in the sanctuary on Sundays and present to the Lord gifts of praise, adoration and money…

To the babies who are ‘rocked’ in the nursery by caring adults…

To the adults and children who gather on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for fellowship and study…

To the children in our community who receive tennis shoes through your acts of generosity….

To the sick who receive “thinking of you” cards and letters, pastoral visits and who are remembered by church members in their prayers…

To Donald Marsden whose missionary work is possible, in part, through our monetary gifts…

To people who find great meaning in their participation in the Presbyterian Men and Presbyterian Women…

To youth who come to church on Sunday evenings…

To church staff who have the joy of serving the Lord here and who receive from our church family words and gestures of encouragement and support…

To visitors who discover hospitality here…

To such people as these and to so many others First Presbyterian Church of Dunn matters! 

We gather in celebration of the various ways the church impacts peoples’ lives.  As we anticipate the upcoming year, let us impact the life of the church through participation in worship services, fellowship, education, outreach and stewardship. 

Grace and peace,

David