Pastor's Note - December 3 
Can we endure? Life is at times a marathon, at times a sprint. This past year has felt much more like a long, long marathon, requiring much endurance (and maybe at times a little bit of a sprint as well). But as we focused on hope last Sunday, I was reminded once again of the future hope we have, which is ours in the Lord. We have perfection waiting. In Christ, that is not a question at all. God will be more than good to all those who remain in Him. The only question is whether or not we will endure. That is our call; endurance. Through endurance, the Lord is shaping us and molding us and strengthening us and making us into the image of Jesus. God is doing something through our endurance, building us into something, and leading us into something – into Him. For all these reasons I am thankful, even though the days are difficult. I am thankful that the Lord is at work – not in spite of this season, but through it. God is using His shaping tools. That is much better than to live in ease, but to grow no closer to the Lord. We’re better off to go through trial and be nearer to Him. So my encouragement to us all is hang on, cling to Him, and trust Him. He is good, He knows what He’s doing, and He’s working good. Hang on to the Lord, and hang on to His people. If you can endure, you will not be disappointed in the end. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Galatians 6; “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”