Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Jane Haines and Levi & LeighAnn Haines and their family, at the passing of their husband/father/grandfather, Larry Haines, on Saturday, January 13. The funeral was held yesterday, here at the church.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Mickie & Angie Stringham on the birth of their granddaughter, Parker Jo, on Wednesday, January 17, weighing 8lbs., 3 oz., and 19.5 inches long. The proud parents are Trevor & Sam Stringham.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Bill & Melody Gray and George & Judy Nelson on the birth of their granddaughter/great-granddaughter, Brylie Marie, on Tuesday, January 9, weighing 6lbs., 5oz., and 18.5 inches long.
THANK YOU: Our hearts are overwhelmed by the care of our church family. Each card filled with uplifting words of hope. Each prayer filled with the healing touch of our heavenly Father. The meals were wonderful. A multitude of thanks! God bless you all! Ron & Christine Albin
TITHING STATEMENTS: for 2023 are available for pick-up at the table in the church hallway, before and after each service.
From My Heart
Several folks have come to me and have said, “Pastor, I just want you to know we are praying for you!” I really appreciate it every time someone tells me that! Right now, just knowing folks are praying for me is very encouraging, as we are going through one of the roughest times we have ever had to face as a church. I can remember a few times in the past when I felt like the Lord allowed us to go through some serious times of trial. When Pastor Larry Staner suddenly died, and then shortly after that tragedy, his wife Diana passed. That was a terrible time of trial, and many folks in our church struggled greatly, dealing with that rough time.
We are once again dealing with a difficult set of circumstances. I trust you will pray regularly and daily for our church. I certainly never imagined we would be as short-staffed as we are, and with Pastor Josh laid up with a broken leg, we are certainly feeling the pinch! It would be great if all of us would pray for the Lord to lead us to find a couple of men to come on staff to help us.
Of course, anything we do must be in God’s perfect will! I think if we all start praying for the Lord’s will to be done, we will see the Lord move to help lead the right person or persons. I do have a couple of fellows I am looking at and praying about so I want to ask you to join me in prayer for the Lord’s perfect will to be done. The Church of the Open Door is the Lord’s Church, and He knows exactly who He wants working here with us, so let’s pray diligently for the Lord to help us!
Please keep Pastor Ray and Pastor Josh in your prayers. Pastor Ray has been dealing with “afib” issues, which is a serious matter, and he needs the hand of the Lord to help him with this! Pastor Josh has a broken leg caused by the car wreck last week, and he certainly needs the Lord to bless him and help him heal properly. It will take him a few months to recover, so please pray for him.
Tomorrow afternoon, I am going on a mission trip to New Zealand and Australia. I was invited to go on this trip two years ago and when I agreed to go, I had no idea we would be two pastors short and two others with serious health matters! I will be the keynote speaker at a conference on soulwinning in five or six different churches in New Zealand and then fly over to Sydney, Australia to preach a revival meeting for several churches in the Sydney area. I will preach around 30 times while there, so please pray for the Lord to use me to see souls saved and that those Pastors get fired up for the Lord.
Have a great day and I trust the Lord will bless you richly!
Pastor Norris