“In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NRSV

“ God has a plan for US, and we are on a Mission for that plan.” Alice Tressler

“ Dear Lord, just help us to listen and recognize Your hand in our Mission.” D. Tilly

“A fresh new year is here, another year to live and grow! This bright New Year is given to us to live each new day with passion or zest, to right some wrongs, to pray for peace, to plant a tree and to sing some new songs”.

Recently, I was having the oil changed in my car. On the wall of the garage I noticed a map of town where the garage was located. It was one of those fun graphic maps printed in the 80’s and 90’s. It included pictures of the businesses, organizations, and people that made up the town at the time of its printing. I was rather stunned to realize that many of those businesses and organizations were no longer operating. This put into perspective the tremendous accomplishment of our congregation/ church family’s long and healthy history of ministry and mission right here in downtown Montpelier.

G. K. Chesterton, wrote, “Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” The existence of Old First is not a theory to be debated. Its existence is the remarkable proof of a love affair between our ancestors and God. They trusted in God. They served in God’s name. They were faithful to God through depression, war, social unrest, and natural disaster. To the best of their abilities they attempted “to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves.” Our history is not theory, but the marvelous story of a great love affair.

Please plan to join us January 18, 2009 as we gather to worship and to give thanks to God for his amazing grace to us as we ordain and install new elders and deacons for the upcoming year. We are still here today because it has been God’s will we continue to be a vibrant, friendly, mission-oriented congregation because of God’s mercy. We will continue worship God in awe of what the good Lord is continuing to do in our midst today, and expectant of how the Holy Spirit will lead us into the future. Let us pray…

A Prayer for the New Year

Come Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always. Be our Light, our guide, and our Comforter. Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier. May this New Year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us, A time of welcoming your graces and gifts. A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally. A time for growing in virtue and goodness. Come, Holy Spirit, be with us today and always. Amen.

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.- Bill Vaughn

Yours In Christ,

Rev. David E. Tilly

P.S. Thanks Church family for all the Christmas gifts especially your time and talents last year and this year .