Community of Joy

Lutheran Church

110 Balboa Road   Hot Springs Village, AR  71909

501-915-9569

 

 

Day by day - day by day - oh, dear Lord, three things I pray.

To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,

follow thee more nearly, day by day.

 

 

Those are the words of a song from Godspell - a musical based on the Gospel of Matthew.  The words are quite simple, and yet, quite profound.  We would do well to keep them in mind as we journey through this New Year that is approximately 2008 years after our Lord Jesus was born on earth.

 

Day by day the song says - over and over again.  The unasked questions here are: “How often should we pray?  How often should we seek to see, love, and follow our Lord?  How often should we love our neighbors as ourselves?  How often is God with us?”  Daily!  Those words (day by day) implore us to be involved in the Christian life each day.  We are to reflect God’s love daily.  As we gather for fellowship, worship and service over the next 12 months, we would do well to keep the words of this simple song on our lips and in our hearts as our prayer to love and serve God each day.

 

Speaking of simplicity - it makes me think that often our lives are so hectic that we seem to lose sight of many of the important things in life.  We seem to rush from task to task, meeting to meeting, without really paying attention to those around us.  That is not what Jesus would have us do.  He wants us to truly care about those around us and reflect God’s love in the things we say and do.  I believe that this little poem reflects a wonderful sentiment.

 

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

You better slow down - don’t dance so fast,

Time is short - and the music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask, “How are you?” do you hear their reply?

Ever told your child (or grandchild) we’ll do it tomorrow,

And in haste not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch - let a good friend die?

‘Cause you never had time to call and say, “Hi?”

Life is not a race - do take it slower,

Hear the music - before the song is over!

 

At the beginning of a New Year we have a wonderful opportunity to “start over,” an opportunity to do things differently.  Let’s all take advantage of this New Year to be more faithful followers of Christ.  Let’s dedicate ourselves to serving God gladly - day by day!  Have a Blessed and Joyous New Year!

 

In God’s Peace,

Christian Education Schedule

 

February 3^rd      “Rapture, Tribulation, and Eschatology”

February 10^th    “Looking at Judaism and Islam”

February 24^th    “The ‘Unforgivable Sin’”

March 2^nd          “What Seminarians Learn Today”

March 9^th           “What Christian Scientists Believe”

March 30^th         “Consumerism and Christianity”

April 6^th             “What is ‘The Kingdom of God?’”

April 13^th           “The Politics of Jesus”

April 27^th           “Spirituality in America”

May 4^th                “Busy-ness’ and Christianity”

             JUST A NOTE……….

Pastor Ross will be on vacation from Jan. 3rd thru Jan. 16.  Any questions or concerns please contact the office @ 915-9569.