Thank You

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Thank you.  Two simple words that can mean so very much.  I’ve been writing thank you notes this week to everyone who completed a commitment card to Willow View for 2024.  I know many of you don’t require a “Thank you” for your giving, but it’s something I believe is very important.  You have stepped out in faith trusting Jesus with your finances.  Something, quite honestly, many Christian believers fail to do.  They may trust Jesus with other areas of their lives but choose to deny His involvement in their finances. That’s sad because it is one of most the tangible ways the Lord wants to bless you.

In this season of giving, we remember God first gave to us.  “We love because He first loved us.” -I John 4:19. He gave his very best – His one and only Son Jesus!

If it wasn’t for Him, there would be no Christmas.  Christmas belongs to the Christian church.  It is the one holiday of the year that is celebrated for the entire month as it should be.  It’s one of the most significant events in all world history.  Jesus literally divided history into B.C. and A.D.  No other person has ever done that!  Every time we write the day’s date, we are affirming Jesus’ entrance into our world.

I am so very proud of the many ways we give as the Willow View Church family with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  During this season, we’ve given Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for impoverished children around the world; we've provided scarves, gloves and mittens to local children; we’ve adopted DHS angel tree children providing Christmas gifts; we are giving food boxes to Shepherd’s Cupboard through a reverse Advent idea; we're hosting the Circle of Care Christmas party this Saturday, ringing bells next week at Jumbo’s for the Salvation Army or putting a dollar or two in the red kettle in our Welcome Center on Sunday.  Thank you! Thank you for giving to others, and thank you for giving to the Lord.

Our financial secretary, Penny Landeros, has given me the names of all who have made commitments to Willow View in the New Year.  She has indicated on her report that we currently have 75 individuals and families who have made commitments for 2024, including 20 first-time new commitments.  That includes our newest members and some long-term members, too.  She also indicated 34 families pledged more this year than last.  Praise the Lord!  That thrills me to see many of you trusting Jesus at a whole new level.  I know you will be blessed as you put the Lord first in your finances.  You can still turn in a commitment card if you haven’t done so yet.  I am very proud of each of you for your growing faith.  Thanks to all who give faithfully, in whatever manner the Lord leads you.

I'm looking forward to worshiping with you this second Sunday of Advent.  Our Children’s Christmas Program directed by Lindsey Schroder is this Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Come be blessed by our children as we celebrate “Good News Ahead … The Signs of Christmas.”

Thank you!

Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark