Announcements
SYMPATHY: to the family and friends of Joyce Bornman who passed away on Wednesday, December 29. Arrangements are pending.
SERVICE REMINDERS: As a precautionary step, for now all in-person church activities have been cancelled. The Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services will be live-streamed at their normal times.
CARROLL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: The winter break was extended and classes will return on Thursday, January 6.
DIAL-A-SERMON: is another way for you to listen to audio sermons without an internet connection. Simply dial 443-331-5866 and choose the sermon to which you would like to listen.
MEMBER DIRECTORY: Copies of the updated directories are now available for pick up at the Welcome Desk. Please contact Veronica Mouring with any updates -(410) 876-3838, ext.303 or vmouring@opendoorchurch.org.
TITHING ENVELOPES: The 2022 offering envelopes are ready for pick-up and are located on the table in the church hallway.
From My Heart
Happy New Year! Last year, as we went from 2020 into 2021, there was a sense of relief that 2020 was over. We were all hoping and praying 2021 would be a better year. However, the year did not quite pan out like we hoped. We have seen more death this year from Covid than was seen in 2020. There have been at least two variants of the virus which have swept across the country. It seems we will be dealing with Covid for a little while longer.
But we can all pray for 2022 to be a better year. Maybe this will be the year our Savior returns for His Church! That would sure be a great way to start off the New Year…in Heaven walking upon the streets of gold! As I read the Scriptures, I do not see anything hindering the immanent return of the Lord at the Rapture which will then usher in the seven-year period of the Tribulation.
Should the Lord continue to tarry His coming, we must remain faithful and truly dedicated to serving the Lord. I would love to encourage you to get involved in some aspect of the church’s ministries. Maybe you could sing in the choir, work on one of the bus routes, take the 12-week soul-winning training, or help with a Sunday School class. There are many opportunities for folks to get involved and serve the Lord in our church.
Folks often use the start of the New Year to make resolutions to lose a few pounds, or start exercising, or to eat more vegetables - all great goals which will help us be healthier. But how about making some spiritual resolutions that will help your spiritual life be healthier? We should make a commitment to read our Bible through, from Genesis to Revelation. Another good one is to be faithful to the church services. Someone wisely said, “A man who aims at nothing will surely hit it every time.” Let’s set some spiritual goals for ourselves and do our best to hit them.
Karen and I wish all of you a wonderful, healthy, and blessed New Year!
Pastor Norris
Hospitalizations
Christine Albin - Adventist Health #4306
Paul Albaugh - CHC
Dottie Ensor - CLV Hospice
Gary Livingston - Hanover Hospital #407
Kelly Mack - Franklin Square #2116
Dean Pennington - CHC #207A