I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16
Dear People of Low’s,
As one year ends and another begins we are often encouraged to remember those things over the past year for which we are grateful. As I reflected on the last twelve months, I was moved to give thanks for your generous spirit. The con-tributions made to the two families we “adopted” this Christmas were examples of that spirit of giving. One family in particular was overwhelmed with your generosity. Your gifts to Social Ministry also helped this congregation to give generously to Allied Churches, the Salvation Army, and Lutheran World Hunger. Other substantial contributions from Social Ministry have been made over the past year to Feed the Hunger, Samaritan’s Purse (for hurricane relief in the Bahamas), SAFE (Southern Alamance Family Empowerment, which operates a food ministry), and the E.M. Holt Backpack Food Program. In addition, church members and others gave generously to our “BBQ & Bluegrass” fundraiser for the family of C.J. McGuire. While you may not often witness the results of your giving, you may rest assured that your generosity makes a difference for Christ’s kingdom. Many folks whom we do not know have nevertheless been impacted by Low’s Lutheran Church in a positive way.
Along with financial contributions I am thankful for the number of you who volunteer your time and talents to the work of Low’s Lutheran Church, whether it is publicly in worship or Sunday school or “behind-the-scenes” in caring for property, visitation, or tending to other church needs. I am aware of some members who volunteer in various capacities in our community, whether it is at Twin Lakes, Alamance Hospital, or other agencies or organizations. Some members, too, simply love their neighbor by offering a helping hand or friendly gesture that means more than can be known. These are all ways of being Christ’s “hands and feet” in our world.
As we begin a new year (and a new decade) I will continue to give thanks for you and remember you in my prayers, as St. Paul did the Christians in Ephesus. I look forward to being Christ’s servant at Low’s in the coming year, as we continue together to live out the gospel in our church, community, and world.
God loves you and I do too, Pastor John Mark

Pastor John Mark