You’ve received 48 editions of the E-pistle since the first of the year, and I’ve just read all 48, a quick trip through 2005. Looking back at the past twelve months in the life of Park Church measured by these Friday missives, I’ve come up with my “Top Ten” list of Park events for 2005. Before it’s out with the old, then, one last look at 2005:

10. Deaths Twenty Park People died during the year and each left their friends and families with the joy of wonderful memories, the pain of loss, and the hope of resurrection. We pray for those who grieve.
9. Births We also celebrated a number of births to young families in the congregation, and I would make special note of the arrival of Samantha Gioan who joined Joe and Missy in May. Congratulations, new parents!
8. Passages We celebrated Confirmation and Graduation on June 5, welcoming Chris, Annabelle, Sharon and Laura into church membership, and sending Dan, Derek, Emma, Lori, Andrew, David and Marci on to college and jobs. Each of these young people had been nurtured by the ministry of our church, and especially by the work of Missy Gioan who celebrated her 6th Anniversary as Youth Director on July 1.
7. Worship Highlights of our year in worship included the joint service with First, Four Mile and Vanport churches on August 21 and our now traditional World Communion Service at the clock tower on October 2. And you might remember a wonderful July 3 service, the elder-led service in October, Christmas Eve (thanks to the children, Anne Humphries and crew for the early service and all our musicians and readers for the beautiful late service) and a surprisingly joyous Christmas Day service.
6. Caring Park people joined people around the world in their concern for the victims of tsunami, hurricane and earthquake. We gave over $12,000 to support disaster relief efforts. Month in and month out we provided fourth Saturday volunteers at First, Food and Friends. We sent our youth to West Virginia, and we filled Thanksgiving baskets, back-to-school backpacks and Christmas stocking. Virtually daily Park folks cared for the ill and homebound among us.
5. VBS 125 happy kids filled the building mid June for Vacation Bible School. Sally organized the 65 adults and youth who led the program. We’re not just sent around the world; we’re sent to our own neighborhoods and schools to share the Good News with young and old alike!
4. The Belo-Beaver Partnership We keep adding chapters to this amazing story. 20 Park people made the trip to Brazil in July and four wonderful Brazilians traveled north in October. In between and all around the visits, the people of IPJA and Park continued to minister to the people of the favela giving gifts of good food, education, hope and the Gospel. And we minister to one another, continuing to build each other up through prayer and mutual concern.
3. Mid-week This fall, especially saw a dramatic increase in the response to our mid-week programming: Junior high and high school youth at NBC on Tuesday afternoons; elementary school students at Club 1440 on Wednesday afternoons; and full ABC classes for adults on Wednesday mornings and evenings. Praise be to God!
2. Jungwha Kim Jungwha joined our staff as Director of Music Ministries in May, and what a joy her presence has been for all of us. Her superb musicianship, pursuit of excellence, and warm personality adds to our worship life Sunday by Sunday.
1. Prayer We prayed in 2005. We prayed and God answered. As I look through 48 E-pistles and my own lists, I am amazed all over again at God’s faithfulness. I won’t list names only for fear of missing some. God has answered prayer for healing, for jobs, for wisdom and direction. Let’s only redouble our efforts in 2006!
So, farewell, 2005.

And now, in with the new! I mentioned Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions a couple of weeks ago (See the December 16 E-pistle) and am struck by these two:

6. Resolved to live with all my might, while I do live.

What else needs to be said?

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

What better goal for any and every new year. Two encouragements:

First, why not consider one of our ABC classes that begins on Wednesday, January 11. We’ll be traveling through the second half of the Book of Acts, and I am genuinely excited about what we will see and learn together.

Second, if you’re not in the habit of morning or evening devotionals, why not begin the new year with that good habit. Here’s an amazing site that offers scores of possibilities from daily Bible readings and commentaries to a huge selection of online devotionals. Click Here

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to fulfill their promise of giving to the needs of the church by saying, “finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” Please remember your 2005 gift to the church must be in the office by 4:00 this afternoon or postmarked by December 31. Thanks for your faithfulness.

The new year begins as we gather at the Lord’s Table on Sunday. No better way to welcome 2006.

See you Sunday!