This past week we received an envelope  

here at Saint Paul that was addressed: "The Wonderful People of St. Paul United Methodist Church."  (The note inside the envelope is printed in this newsletter.) When I saw the address I smiled and thought, "How appropriate!"  Why? Because the love and generosity of this congregation can be seen by the various ways you have given to individuals you don't even know!  At Thanksgiving time we gave 149 bags of food to Pearl Pantry along with a check for $274.  You responded to the Angel Tree in the gathering area of our church and 124 children were given Christmas gifts! Our mitten and hat tree keeps growing as we "pick the harvest" of mittens and hats and children are receiving these warm gifts for winter! As of the time this is written, we have delivered 193 hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to six schools in our part of Omaha. In addition our Emergency Fund keeps families' cars going, their homes warm, etc.    

Your generous giving keeps touching numerous individuals in our community. So the envelope with the address, "The Wonderful People of St. Paul United Methodist" is appropriate.  You are making the love of God come alive in the lives of others.  This happens throughout the year, not just Christmas time. As your Lead Pastor I am looking forward to 2012 and the numerous ways we will continue to make the love of God real and tangible in the world.  The future isn't scary, but it is exciting and full of possibilities as we follow the call of God to follow the example of Christ and continue being generous givers who make a difference in the lives of others.    

  

Happy New Year! 

Grace and Peace,  

Dr. Keith W. Johnson 

Lead Pastor