Chaires United Methodist Church

Pastor's Corner

The Blessings of 2007

I trust that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It's hard to believe that a new year has already begun, but before we close out 2007, let's spend just a few moments and reflect on the year gone by. We were blessed by a group of people that gave up their spring break to go to Guatemala on a mission trip to help raise the quality of life for someone less fortunate. For the second year in a row, the youth traveled to Gretna to participate in the Love At Work program. The women of Chaires put together another successful Women's Conference and we made steps of faith in our building expansion program.

We also celebrated the life of several saints that completed their course that was set before them. Let's remember the precious times we had with: Mrs. Jane Kempton, Mr. Bob Stephenson, Mr. Orus Chaires, Mrs. Pam Thompson, and Mr. Eben Chaires. They will all be missed. There's no doubt about it, we have been blessed and have many things to be thankful for here at Chaires United Methodist Church.

We closed out the year with another fantastic Christmas Cantata under the direction of Rev. John Rainwater. This was followed by the Children's Christmas program, which touched the hearts of parents, grandparents, and friends, filling them with overflowing joy as they sang songs and told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The youth had the last say of the year, leading us in our Christmas Eve Service. They closed out 2007, singing with uplifted hearts glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Those were just a few of the many moments throughout the year that brought to me times of satisfaction, happiness, love, joy and appreciation. Truly it is a privilege and a blessing to serve here at Chaires as the pastor to a group of folks that know and love the Lord. I'm looking forward to 2008 as we continue on our journey of faith together as a family being transformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others.

My prayer is that each of you may find the fullness of joy in your hearts this coming year. A word search on the word “joy” reveals that it is used 218 times in the Bible. The Bible teaches us that the joy of the Lord is found in His presence. That is, when we receive the Word of the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then our hearts are filled with joy because His presence lives inside us. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.”

Therefore as we begin a new year, in the presence of the Almighty God, let us praise and thank Him for all the wonderful things that He has done in our lives. And may we all come to know the fullness of His joy in our life as we share the love of His Holy Son, Jesus Christ with those around us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Pastor Bill Ingram