winter weather update

Church family, our hearts are with you. We know many are still navigating the effects of the winter weather—especially those without power or heat. Please know you are deeply loved, prayed for, and not alone. We’re grateful that power has been restored to the church, and we look forward to gathering for worship this Sunday at 10:40 a.m. There will be no Sunday School this week, but we invite you to come a little early and warm up with us at 9:45 a.m. for coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, and shared fellowship. If you’re able to join us, please use caution in the parking lot, as some slick spots may remain. And if you need to stay home, know we understand and are holding you in prayer.

Windows of Heaven

January 9, 2026

Pastor Jim Bachmann, Senior Pastor

I hope everyone’s new year is off to a great start! I look forward to being among you this Sunday after being away the last two weeks.

Last Sunday night Kristen and I hosted our choir’s annual Christmas party. The Christmas season was so busy that the choir chose to wait until after the new year to have their party. It was a boisterous time with choir members and spouses filling our home with food and joy! I was reminded again of how beneficial the choir is to our ministry. With several highly significant events just around the corner (Easter, July 4), I hope more of you will join the choir and make it the biggest and best we’ve ever had!

Speaking of upcoming events, will you join me in praying that 2026 would be a year in which God opens the windows of heaven and pours out so much blessing we don’t have enough room for it all? Let’s pray that:

1. God will enable us to retire our debt;
2. God will fill every seat in our fellowship hall with eager worshipers;
3. Our Sunday School attendance and church membership will increase significantly;
4. God will expand our missions budget;
5. God will enable us to start a sanctuary in the next three years.

Sound a little ambitious? I much prefer to think big and aim high! I don’t recall Jesus rebuking His followers for having too much faith or asking too much from Him. But I do remember the critical remark He made more than once, “O ye of little faith…”

William Carey is often considered the father of modern missions. It was a sermon he preached in 1792 that inspired the modern missionary movement. His famous quote was, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Another missionary and evangelist, Dr. John Haggai, used to say, “Attempt something so great for God that it is doomed to fail unless God be in it.”

That is exactly how I feel every time I step into the pulpit! I know each sermon is doomed to fail unless “God be in it.” Jesus once said, “Do not fear. Only believe” (Mark 5). May the Lord increase our faith, decrease our fear, and show us His power and glory in the months to come.