HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

Perhaps the most iconic New Year's Eve celebration in America takes place every December 31, at midnight in Times Square in New York City. Known as the "ball drop," the ceremony began on December 31, 1907. Starting at 11:59 p.m., a huge lighted ball descends from above the street, reaching the ground exactly at midnight. The ceremony draws a million revelers to welcome in the new year.

The passage of time - especially the end of one year and the beginning of another - reminds us that God's timing in our life is perfect. Even when we welcome the end of a trying year, we know God's mercies are new every morning and that every new day, and year, is full of blessing and potential (Lamentations 3:22-24). We are also reminded to "watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matthew 25:13). We do not know the hour of Jesus' appearing, but the Father does (Mark 13:32).

As you welcome the new year, keep one eye turned toward heaven, The new year may see the return of Christ our King! Take seriously the following words to the song titled TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak; Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Henry Messer, Billie Ann Goodman, Lyn Hayles, Rebeccah Williams, Donna & Clint Scott, Shirley Davis's daughter, Julia, Pastor and Teresa, our school and for the peace of Jerusalem.

DID YOU KNOW?

• **Our West Oaks Academy varsity basketball team has a home non-conference game vs. Bilingual Christian Academy on Friday, January 10 @ 6:30 p.m.
• **Many people help our church function behind the scenes, preparing our donuts, coffee, cookies, songs, communion supplies, decorating the church, providing and leading our wonderful music, praying for the sick. Thank you to all our unsung heroes.

5 Things About God's Love to Remember in 2025

• 1. God is love.
• 2. God loved you before you were born.
• 3. God's Love never quits.
• 4. God loves you even when you don't love Him.
• 5. God's Love Changes everything and enables us to love others.
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BITS AND PIECES

• **What if your new year's resolution is to not make a resolution.
• **Daily devotions are better than annual resolutions
• **New Year's Resolution: To stop making the same mistakes.
• **Let your resolution be His solution.
• **May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.
• **When life gives you more than you can stand, KNEEL.
• **My New Year's resolution is to do the things this year that I should have done last year.
• **A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one "year" and out the other.
• **Resolve to stay faithful to Jesus Christ. He is the one Truth, Way and Life. There's no reason to look elsewhere.