The elders met on January 22. We followed our normal pattern which includes discussion and prayer for the needs of our church family and our church before moving to other matters.

Two admin items discussed included continuing the conversation to consider a home school organization using our facility for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year and new information on the south lot. More information on these prior to, or as part of, our March 1, 2026, Family Gathering.

As of last Thursday, we were staring at an impending weather event that had the possibility of disrupting normal worship activities on the 25^th. We discussed options to forego in person worship and have only a live stream, or to cancel Sunday School (to allow parking lot and sidewalk snow removal) and have a near normal worship service while encouraging those who had concerns with travel to stay at home and watch the live stream. As we discussed the impending weather, we discovered that the elders had at least three different weather apps, all predicting very cold temperatures, but a wide variation in snowfall. A lengthy discussion did not yield a firm decision, in part because of the very different forecasts.

Ecclesiastes 11:4: "He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.”

We elected to wait and make the decision Saturday (which was to remain open for worship).

As we discussed the options, we talked about the people who are involved in the worship service or in support of the worship service. Here is what is most assuredly an incomplete list: Pastors, worship team, sound booth, communion preparation/cleanup, coffee team, children's church, nursery, greeters and ushers, space setup, and building and grounds. The number of people who willingly and cheerfully serve regularly so that we may joyfully worship is amazing. Thanks to all these who serve so that we can bring glory to God in a way we pray He finds acceptable each week. And a great benefit of holding worship was that we properly sent off Frank and Millie Wichert as they relocate to serve a USMB church in Fairview, Oklahoma.

Psalm 100:1: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."

It is a blessing to worship and serve Him together.