SUNDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE 2017

It was snowing when I got up at 5 this morning. There wasn’t much snow at my house but the roads got worse and the snow increased by the time I arrived at church in Ottumwa. My daughter, Joy and Lori Eldrenkamp did an awesome job decorating this year and took everything over-the-top with tables in the Commons stacked with sweet treats. Levi and the worship team and Chad in media were fantastic. It wasn’t a production or a performance; it was worship. Christmas Eve worship.

Serving the people of Northgate Church and our community is my priority; the focal point of my time and attention. I’m well into my fourth year and I don’t have any regrets; I am so grateful to God for this ministry. I still get up each morning with a heart full of anticipation for what God is about to do!

The highlight of the year was the wedding of Peter and Heather on April 9. What a great celebration! And they are expecting a baby boy April 23, 2018!

Kari Beth & Jeremy and their girls, Sarah & Natalie are doing well – I just don’t get to see them often enough. That’s a function of me being a pastor and Kari doing kids ministry at their church. Weekends are full.

Since I only live a few miles up the road, I do get to see Joy and Tony and their boys, Brady, Broc, Brandt, and Bo. Brady is a freshman and got a part in the High School play this Fall and I helped with the production – my 24th year. Some people go hunting; I help with High School Speech, Drama, and Theater.

The best event in 2017 is also the most difficult. TJ, the associate pastor I got to work with for the past three years, was offered a position at a church in the Denver suburb of Parker. I was/am so thrilled for him! As of the end of September, he is the Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Community Church; a great church and an awesome opportunity. I miss him. But I know this is also an opportunity for Northgate Church so we are trusting God as we pray daily for the right person to join our team.

This Advent season, I’ve been struck, once again, with the extraordinary courage of King Jesus who willingly left behind all the glory, power, majesty, and praise of Heaven to come to earth as a helpless baby born into utter poverty. That’s the kind of King I want to follow.

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