Merry Christmas and Happy New Year St. Paul and Friends!

            I pray that you are experiencing the joy of Advent and Christmas and anticipate what the year 2023 has in store. It is a blessing to serve in your midst and my family and I rejoice in our church family.

            I hope that you will join us for worship and other activities in our ministry this Christmastime and into 2023. Stay tuned for opportunities to serve! God uses all of us for the sake of His mission of redeeming and seeking the lost. It is through this lens that I have been pondering this Christmas: God uses small things/people to do GREAT things. In my advent devotions I read through the Old Testament prophets and the prophet, Micah, foretells how God does great things by using something small. He writes:

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you shall come forth for me

One who is to be ruler in Israel,

Whose coming forth is from of old,

From ancient days."   Micah 5:2

            God uses a small, insignificant city, like Bethlehem, to bring forth the Savior of all people. God frequently works in ways that confuse what is considered wise in the world’s mind. The Prince of Peace was first placed in a feeding trough. Thing King of Glory wouldn’t wear a crown of precious metals, but a crown of thorns. The “team” Jesus assembles are not “qualified” men/women. But are unlikely subjects: Tax collectors, fishermen, prostitutes, etc. If God uses what is small for the sake of His great mission, why not participate? If God can use me, Pastor Noah, God can certainly use anyone and He works through us despite our shortcomings.

            God bless you and your family this Christmas!

            Merry Christmas, St. Paul!

            Sincerely,

            Pastor Noah Kegley