connections REACHING OUT...IT’S WHO WE ARE!

First United Methodist Church of Dothan Dr. James B. Sanders lll, Senior Pastor | January 7, 2021

The title of this article might leave you wondering, “Jim, we just celebrated the New Year on January 1st. Are you slipping? Are you confused?” I might be confused, but the question is still appropriate. When is New Year’s Day? The new year has been observed at many different times throughout history. The ancient Egyptians began the new year on September 21st. The Greeks of old celebrated New Year’s Day on December 21st, and March 25th was the appointed New Year’s Day for the Christians of Medieval times. The Gregorian Calendar (first introduced in 1582) established January 1st as New Year’s Day. This date was immediately accepted by Germany and Denmark, by Sweden about 1700, and by England in 1752. No matter when the new year is celebrated, it has always been a time to move beyond the past 365 days and to look forward to the next 365 days. The great missionary, E. Stanley Jones, had some marvelous insights into a healthy, Christian, new year attitude. He once wrote, “Put your hand in the hand of God as you start the New Year. Then the New Year will be a fresh adventure every morning and a quiet benediction every night. You will be alive in every portion of your being. You will be aware of God and man.” For many reasons, a large number of us wish to put 2020 behind us. But, what do we wish to put in front of us? Jones’ words have inspired me to pray the following each morning during January: Lord, let me make a difference for you this year that is utterly disproportionate to who I am. Amen. What does 2021 hold for the world, for you? None of us knows for sure. But we do know this: If we will put our hand in the hand of Christ, then 2021 will be an adventure in faith and service! I can’t think of a better way to welcome 2021. After completing this article, I learned of the death of The Reverend Dr. Jerry Dooling on January 1st. Dr. Dooling served as the Sr. Pastor of our church from 1986 – 1997. I was blessed to have been an Associate Pastor here for four of those years. Jerry touched so many lives during his eleven years at First Church and he graced us all with joyful love, determined vision and faithful living. We give thanks for him this week as we continue to lift Karla, Ruth Ann, Milt and Christopher up in prayer. Thank you Lord, for this your servant! Inhale Faith; Exhale Fear. Jim (jim@fumcdothan.org & 333-2995)

mailto:jim@fumcdothan.org

Our Sympathy to: ~ Arch and Tracy Solomon and family due to the death

of Tracy’s father, Lester Trotter, who died Dec. 28.

~ Kevin and Julie Kramer and family due to the death of Kevin’s mother, Margaret Kramer, who died Dec. 29.

In the Hospital: ~ Lee Britt (Southeast Health) ~ Celeste Hart

This week we are especially praying for the ways our church family is reaching out through Joy FM as they minister through Christian Radio.

JOYS AND CONCERNS

GOAL: Responding generously to a need in your path. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. – Proverbs 11:24 (NIV) ACTION: Phil was getting ready to lead a workshop for a group of churches in Eastland, TX when word was received that a family in the community had just lost everything in their home due to fire. He says, “Our immediate response was an outpouring of care and concern for this family that none of us even knew. We took up a financial collection and raised several hundred dollars. The church family helped arrange temporary housing and food. The pastor went to meet with the family to determine how else the church could help in this time of need.” JOURNAL REFLECTION: Most of us have had the experience of reaching out to someone in need and sharing our time and resources. Write down an example of this from your own life. How did it make you feel to be in the position to help someone?

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