Looking for a prosperous and successful New Year?  As Joshua looked ahead to the daunting new challenges he was facing, God reminded him that success and prosperity are connected to meditating on and obeying the Word of God. (Joshua 1:8). 

In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructed Christ-followers to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  Where do we find things like this in our world today?  (It’s definitely not FaceBook). Thankfully, these are all found in the Word of God.  Scripture memory has long been one of the spiritual disciplines God’s people have found to help them live better lives.  As 2022 begins, we are creating a virtual connection group (VCG) of people looking to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus, specifically by attempting to memorize 22 verses from the Bible.  If you are interested in finding out more about this VCG,  let me know by sending me an “l’m in” email reply: jmoody221@gmail.com or text me at (847-721-9908).


Thanks!
Jon

​The Best Resolution
Lose weight?  Get in shape?  Get Organized? Save Money?  As we begin the New Year and resolutions abound – here’s one with eternal benefits. 

‘This is what the Lord says:  The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me — that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)


The best resolution you can make in 2022 is to get to know the Lord better.  Experience more of His grace, mercy and love!  Here are a few ideas that might help: Read through the New Testament this coming year, circling a key word like “grace” every time you see it!  Join a Connection Group (We need one another!); Take the 22 in 22 Challenge: Beginning next week, those want a group challenge will attempt to memorize 22 key verses in 2022! 

​Take some time to think it over and endeavor to make 2022 your best year yet!

Patricia A. Paisley
NOVEMBER 8, 1940 – NOVEMBER 28, 2021

PATRICIA ANN PAISLEY, 81, went home to her Lord on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Her final days were spent surrounded by loved ones. Patricia was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister. As a profession, she was a nurse for many years and enjoyed taking care of everyone.

She loved her grandchildren especially. She was a devoted active member of St. Joe Community Church.

As a talented artist, Patricia often depicted scenes of nature and the many Lighthouses of Michigan. A reminder of her love for hiking and outdoors. The lighthouses she was especially fond of will serve as a living memory of the light she brought to the lives around her.

Her artwork will continue to be a source of great joy for her friends and family.
Surviving are her son, Shawn Paul (Jessica) Paisley; daughter, Laurie Ann (Patrick) Hottinger; son, Shane Patrick (Jana) Paisley; sister, Mary Osborne; and grandchildren, Cullen Joseph, Keegan Patrick Hottinger and Karak David Paisley; and her fur-baby, Sadie. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald R. Paisley; parents, Frank Trudgeon and Ruth Avery; brother, Ray Archer; and sister, Judy Sharp.

Funeral service is noon Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at St. Joe Community Church, 2900 N. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne (IN 46805), with calling from 10 a.m. until service. Pastor Greg Byman is officiating. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens.
​
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joe Community Church.

​Holidays Approaching: Last Minute Gift Ideas!
With the holidays quickly approaching, your connection group may be looking for some unique fellowship opportunities, and serving at the Glenwood house would be a great time to build unity while also giving a wonderful Thanksgiving/Christmas gift to the church.  Here are a few gifts you can give:
 

• Nothing says “I’m thankful for the Glenwood house!” like window blinds.  You and your CG could hang up blinds on the dining room door and in the porch!
• Thanksgiving touches all of our hearts… speaking of touches, there are a couple of small areas needing a “touch-up” of paint!
• Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, pumpkin pie and freshly baked cookies… the wonderful scents of the holidays!  None of these will be wafting through the Glenwood house until someone sprays a little bleach on those basement walls!
• The holidays exhaust everyone and everything – except the bathroom upstairs – it still needs an exhaust fan installed.
• “He’s making a list and checking it twice”  (Bill Wallace that is…..and you can check it too…there’s a punch list of remaining jobs taped to the refrigerator in the house!)

 
If you, or your connection group would like to give the gift of an hour or two in order to put the finishing touches on our Glenwood house, please contact Bill, who has graciously volunteered to coordinate the remaining work in the house before our grand opening on December 4th!

With the holidays quickly approaching, your connection group may be looking for some unique fellowship times at the Glenwood Mission house,  giving the church a wonderful gift!  Here are a few ideas:

• Nothing says “I’m thankful for the Glenwood Mission house!” like smoke detectors.  You and your CG can hang smoke detectors before the heating season really kicks in!
• Thanksgiving touches my heart – and it will touch yours too if you “touch-up” a couple of areas needing paint!
• Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, pumpkin pie and freshly baked cookies… the wonderful scents of the holidays!  None of these will be wafting through the Glenwood house until someone sprays some bleach on those basement walls!
• The holidays exhaust everyone and everything – except the bathroom upstairs – it still needs an exhaust fan installed.
• “He’s making a list and checking it twice” – you can check it too…there’s a punch list of remaining jobs taped to the refrigerator in the house!

 
If you, or your connection group would like to give the gift of an hour or two to put the finishing touches on our Glenwood house make-over, please let me know!