The memory of driving through the Canadian Rockies for the first time is so different from the flat farmland that surrounded my hometown. We were so overwhelmed by the raw majesty and power of those mountains that my dad and I burst into hymns.
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​The memory of standing in the Badlands, staring at a dead tree in the center of a clearing. A bird came to land on its nest there and the Lord reminded me, like a whisper, “I provide for this bird and I will provide for you.”
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​The memory of the rich, dark brown soil of my family’s backyard garden where the strawberries were so beautiful and delicious that our neighbors came with pots and pans when we offered to share. When we went back to visit our friends in Ohio, I was reminded of how beautiful and alive farmlands are.

​Given a little over 60 years ago, his speech can still bring one to tears and inspire other to participate in nonviolent protest movements worldwide. Not only do we remember Dr. King on the third Monday of January (his birthday is actually January 15th), but we are also encouraged to volunteer and improve our communities — to serve. Hopefully, the day provides us an opportunity to educate people about social justice and use nonviolence to promote change in our society.
 
Which brings me to the Angels around us. Being on staff, we have the privilege of being behind the scenes and seeing so many of our quiet volunteers who weekly make a difference in our church family and our community.
 
Probably the most obvious volunteers are those who make our Sunday services special. There is the entire Praise Team — all of those amazing musicians and singers. Our chancel and bell choirs rehearse weekly and bring moments of joy to our service. And there is the tech team — up in the balcony they do their best to seamlessly present and broadcast our Sunday service.
 
The Welcome team greets everyone as they enter Krueger Hall, answers questions, and assists in getting folks connected to others. They welcome us as we enter the sanctuary and serve as ushers during our offering — jobs they are so dedicated to as we love and grow our church.
 
Some might argue, the most important Sunday volunteers are the donut brigade! They arrive early Sunday morning after picking up the sugary treats, cutting and arranging them on trays, and placing them in Krueger Hall for all to enjoy.
 
We can’t leave Sundays without mentioning our Sunday School volunteers. With our classes growing, we’ve hired primary classroom teachers, but they couldn’t do their job without the help of other adults present.
 
You might not know who these many are, but our Sundays would be very different without them.
 
There are many other, less visible volunteers you may not know about. Of course there are the many church committees, chaired by Elders and Deacons but are supported by many volunteers: Adult Discipleship, Facilities, Community Outreach, Family Ministry, Finance/Stewardship, Human Resources, Missions, Nominating, Welcome/Membership, Worship Planning. Additionally, there are our wonderful Deacons and Bible Study leaders.
 
Weekly mailings go out to those who are homebound or have difficulty accessing our eNews electronically. These women come in each week to stuff, label, and mail out copies of Pastor McLane’s sermon, the weekly eNews edition, and any other important bits that might appear and need to be passed on to these treasured friends.
 
On Fridays, our knitting ladies gather (men are welcome) in the Fireside Room to knit, crochet, and pray as they create beautiful shawls and blankets. Available to anyone who might need to be lifted in prayer and surrounded by love and warmth, these comfort gifts can be found in the Fireside Room.
 
Our Reception Committee not only makes sure that the tables in Krueger Hall are seasonally decorated, but they also help with other services and events at the church, such as funerals and memorial services.
 
Do you know that there are weekly pickleball games in the gym? Not only does this group of intrepid athletes get in a little exercise, but they’re also the ones who make sure the pew card holders in the Sanctuary have Connection Cards, giving envelopes, and sharp pencils. Small things but so important.
 
Twice each year, the Facilities Team hosts clean-up days. This might be for needed repairs, removing leaves in the fall, or merely grounds cleanup. The volunteers who appear work together to make sure our campus is pristine and welcoming. There are also our secret gardeners who keep our flower beds along Lakeside Ave colorful during the spring and summer.
 
The Love 1st Neighborhood Closet, housed at and staffed by 1st Pres, serves our greater community. The Closet serves homeless and low-income at-risk families with children in grades K-8. Our Closeteers escort families as they ‘shop’ for brand-new clothing, footwear, outerwear, and personal hygiene and laundry products.
 
Last but not least, Family Promise. Our volunteers help set up and take down, provide and serve meals, and host as overnight chaperones. 1st Pres hosts families experiencing homelessness as they journey towards sustainable independence several times each calendar year.
 
I haven’t mentioned names for fear of inadvertently leaving someone out.  As I close, I also fear I may have left out yet another volunteer opportunity and pray for forgiveness if I have. There are so many who silently serve. That said, with our abundance of volunteer opportunities, I pray you might be inspired to consider how you can participate in our church family.  Call the office if you have a desire to serve and would like some guidance.
 
In His Name, Janet

​Traveling, especially overseas, is not for everyone. No matter where they are, I still think anyone can take these critical character traits and use them in their everyday lives.
Incorporating these values into the new year can bring profound changes:
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​By integrating these principles, you can cultivate a more peaceful, harmonious, and fulfilling life throughout 2025. I would love to know if anyone has any other ideas for incorporating values into the new year. I cannot wait to swap stories with anyone in our congregation who is of Japanese heritage or has also been lucky enough to travel to Japan.

O-Genki De (all the best), Tracee

​The ultimate luxury in this life is not to travel globally, eat amazing food, stay in beautiful hotels or homes, have exciting experiences, become famous, or make tons of money.
 
The ultimate luxury is to care for your soul -- to feed on God’s nourishing truth, develop a rich prayer life, pour your heart out to God on long walks outside, revel in the works of God all around you, meditate on God‘s fulfilled promises, unburden yourself by listening to soaring hymns and spiritual songs, serve your church in humble but meaningful ways, show love to the lost and needy, confess your sin to the God who delights to forgive you, and generally rejoice in the warm goodness of the Father who treasures you, the Son, who redeemed you, the Spirit who strengthens you.
 
Of course, it is good and right to enjoy all sorts of God’s blessings in this life. Don’t be a gloomy miser in the name of Jesus. Celebrate God’s kindness in all sorts of things. Eat good food; drink delicious drinks; go on fun trips; work hard in your vocation; watch good movies; laugh a lot; indulge in unhurried conversation; visit beautiful places; make wonderful memories, and all to the glory of our gracious God.
 
Don’t feel an ounce of guilt over these things. Recall to mind regularly that God is honored in our small joys as he is in our spiritual service. In fact, in the life of the mature Christian, the two blend as time goes on, and all of life (not just the roped-off sections of it) becomes worship. All of life becomes a celebration. All of life becomes praise and glory to God from the overflow of thankfulness for our salvation.

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​We all have much to grow in… But here is the good news: through the regular application of gospel grace, God will take “cold men”… and make us “warm men”— men like Jesus.
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~Dr. Owen Strachan