Greetings Siblings in Christ,
As I write this newsletter article, I am sitting here in my house on a cold and snowy January day. It is Sunday January 19, 2025. Overall, it has been a good day. I got up this morning and drove to Faith for our 9:30 a.m. worship service. Unfortunately, due to the afternoon forecast, Jerusalem did not have their 11:15 a.m. worship and we canceled our annual meeting. So, following the service at Faith, I rushed home to beat the storm. I spent the rest of the day doing potty training with Luca, and more excitedly watching the Philadelphia Eagles game. This game the Eagles played against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. The Eagles ended up winning the snow filled game with a defensive stop in the red zone, beating the L.A. Rams 28 to 22. It was overall a good game, but it sure did have its ups and downs. In certain moments, we thought that the Eagles had the game in the bag, and then in the next moment the Rams would somehow make their way back into the game, narrowing the Eagles lead. It was certainly a game that had our emotions up and down.
After the game was over, I sat down to write this newsletter article for February. In reflection and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I was reminded that like this Eagles game, life often has its ups and downs. Life can be emotional. Often, during this time of year, many start getting the seasonal blues. With the sun not shining as often and with the cold weather, it is not hard for us to start feeling down, especially when there are so many things to be worried about or things that cause us fear in this world. This past week, I had multiple people tell me that they have missed the sun. However, even in the darkest of times, there is light. In scripture, we are constantly reminded that our God is with us in these moments when life has us down, and because of this there is hope for the future. This does not mean that we will not have down times, but instead it assures us that we are never alone. God shows us up and that is something that we can take comfort in. At the end of the Eagles game, a commentator highlighted the ups and downs of the game. However, in the end he said, “we will remember this day, because it was good.” Likewise, we remember the ups and downs of our lives, because of the goodness of our God. So, I want to leave you all with the word of Psalm 23:
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 3he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
Amen!
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
As I write this newsletter article, I am sitting here in my house on a cold and snowy January day. It is Sunday January 19, 2025. Overall, it has been a good day. I got up this morning and drove to Faith for our 9:30 a.m. worship service. Unfortunately, due to the afternoon forecast, Jerusalem did not have their 11:15 a.m. worship and we canceled our annual meeting. So, following the service at Faith, I rushed home to beat the storm. I spent the rest of the day doing potty training with Luca, and more excitedly watching the Philadelphia Eagles game. This game the Eagles played against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. The Eagles ended up winning the snow filled game with a defensive stop in the red zone, beating the L.A. Rams 28 to 22. It was overall a good game, but it sure did have its ups and downs. In certain moments, we thought that the Eagles had the game in the bag, and then in the next moment the Rams would somehow make their way back into the game, narrowing the Eagles lead. It was certainly a game that had our emotions up and down.
After the game was over, I sat down to write this newsletter article for February. In reflection and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I was reminded that like this Eagles game, life often has its ups and downs. Life can be emotional. Often, during this time of year, many start getting the seasonal blues. With the sun not shining as often and with the cold weather, it is not hard for us to start feeling down, especially when there are so many things to be worried about or things that cause us fear in this world. This past week, I had multiple people tell me that they have missed the sun. However, even in the darkest of times, there is light. In scripture, we are constantly reminded that our God is with us in these moments when life has us down, and because of this there is hope for the future. This does not mean that we will not have down times, but instead it assures us that we are never alone. God shows us up and that is something that we can take comfort in. At the end of the Eagles game, a commentator highlighted the ups and downs of the game. However, in the end he said, “we will remember this day, because it was good.” Likewise, we remember the ups and downs of our lives, because of the goodness of our God. So, I want to leave you all with the word of Psalm 23:
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 3he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
Amen!
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
