Happy New Year to all of you! This time of year brings a mixture of feelings. 

On one hand, it’s a little sad to take down the tree and decorations. Those things are associated with the happiness of the holidays. We’ve had great times, some rest from work, and now it is “back to real life.” Oh, and by the way, it’s freezing outside. 

On the other hand, the beginning of a New Year can be an exciting time of new possibilities. Hopefully, we’ve done some reflection in God’s presence about how we want to grow in Him this year. We did that this past Sunday, as we studied 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. If you didn’t hear that New Year’s message, I would encourage you to listen to it or watch it. 

This Sunday, we are beginning a new series for the New Year, and it is about newness. The title is Romans: People Made New. In 2018, we are going to be walking through perhaps the most important book of the Bible. I say that, because if you can understand the book of Romans, you will have opened doors that will enable you to understand the other sixty-five. 

This week our journey begins as we look at Romans 1:1-7, which offers a great “Introduction to Romans.” 

There is also fantastic news about our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We have already met our goal of $62,000. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!  

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations, 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.