Have you taken "The Next Step" in your devotional life this week? It really doesn't matter how small a step you took. What matters is committing to your spiritual health. I've always counseled people to make the kinds of commitments that can be achieved. If you've never spent a lot of time reading the Bible, don't commit to reading 30 minutes a day, because when you fail, you get discouraged, and eventually you stop altogether. Make the next step one that is realistic and achievable. Commit to 5 minutes a day and watch the time grow. The same is true for prayer or for any discipline we want to incorporate in our lives.

We witnessed history on Tuesday night when Barack Obama was elected the next President of the United States. I grew up in southside Virginia and I have seen first hand growing up how demoralizing prejudice and bigotry can be. The divisions were clear and attitudes were often very ugly. That this country has now elected an African American to be our 44th President doesn't mean that we've overcome as a nation all the prejudice of our past, but it does reveal how far we have come and I find that inspiring as an American.

Let us pray for our President-Elect, for his family and for the team he is now assembling. He will face big challenges as he takes office. Let us pray for our other elected leaders, both locally, in state government, and in Washington.

One announcement -- We're having a Coffee House on Sunday evening in the Fellowship Hall from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. There will be lots of food, entertainment and coffee, as well as other beverages. No charge but donations will be accepted to assist with vaccinations for orphans in Burma. I've attached a flyer with more information.

Our "Next Step" in my message series this Sunday is "Service." The Old Testament lesson is Jeremiah 29:7 and the New Testament if Matthew 25: 31 - 46

Your pastor,

David Jones