Happy New Year everyone! 2017 is here, and as I reflect back on 2016 I pray this year will be a great one for everyone. We suffered some hard times last year in our homes, in our community, in our country and in the world. Many may say it was the best year ever and that’s my prayer for you all this year. I don’t know what this year holds, but I do know who holds it right in the palm of HIS mighty hand. He promised it and it’s the promise I’ve held on to since my retirement four years ago. “I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This year I will hold on to that promise with all my might and I pray you do too. It’s a great promise for our community as well. Claim it, my brothers and sisters, and I know HE will give us another great year here at the Llano Estacado… a year full of hope and a future of joy as we share a small part in bringing more and more souls into His kingdom.
We’ve got a lot going on this month. First, please join us on the Holy Spirit Patio of Mercy Center this Thursday at 6:30 for the January Young Women’s Journey send-off. Kelli Cool is the Lay Director and Winford Davenport is Spiritual Director. Come bless these beautiful young women. Afterwards, go across the street for our January worship service at St. Joseph’s. We won’t have a meal this month, but please bring your snacks and pillow agape instead to bless the girls and guys on this weekend. I know it makes for a long evening, but please stay for the worship service. It’s always so inspirational to go back to St. Joseph’s and worship in the very Church where so many of us got our first touch of what real community is all about. Be back at 8PM on Saturday for Candlelight at the church and on Sunday at 4PM for closing.
January 12-15th is our next Young Men’s Chrysalis Journey. Please join us at 6:30 on Thursday, January 12 for send-off; Saturday, January 14 at 8PM for candlelight; and Sunday, January 15 at 4PM for closing right back in Slaton at the Mercy Center and St. Joseph’s.
That’s not all folks…Men’s Walk #98 with Ben Kirkpatrick lay director and Mike Cox Spiritual Director is January 19-22. Send-off is Thursday, January 19 at 6:30; Candlelight at 8PM on Saturday, January 21; and closing January 22nd at 4PM. All back at Mercy Center and St. Joseph’s.
There is still lots of room on these Journey’s and walks so please be in prayer and keep a watch out for Pilgrims and Caterpillars to sponsor. So many are hungry and Jesus will send them our way if we just ask Him too!
I’ll end this year’s first letter with the prayer that this year brings our community joy. Jesus, is our joy! Remember that, as well as the promise that no matter what we face in 2017 we can face it with the assurance that the one in charge of this year and every year has it all planned out.
DeColores,
Sheila Kirby