“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” There is something to Candy Canes and Suger Plum Fairies dancing in children’s heads. Bundling up with scarves and mittens to adventure in the winter wonderlands. Christmas Cards, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Coffee and Cocoa. But best of all, Christmas is the season of hope. Hope, 2000 years ago, that the King would emerge from the virgins womb, Hope that He would would deliver His people from their sins on the cross, Hope that He would emerge, then, from the tomb, and hope that we too will be raised in a resurrection like His.

Christmas, then, is not simply “Peace” and “Joy” and “Believe.” Christmas is the Gospel. That God, in His wonderful goodness, would send His Son into a broken, hopeless, and corrupted world. To live a perfect, sinless life. To die, blameless and unblemished on a cross for sinful man. To be buried. To raise from the grave. To come again…

Christmas is the Good News that

“For us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

And…

“Of the increase of His government and of peace
there will be no end…”

Is this not what we must have? Is this not what we long for!

Here in DeKalb we have spent the Advent season finishing Mark’s Gospel and it has been such a joy to preach three final sermons, individually on the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, coupling each of them with the hope of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

Ministry continues to be prosperous. We’re thankful for our city and our people as well as Jesus’ willingness to use us here. And really, the opportunities for ministry here in DeKalb seem endless; there is so much that we can be doing. So, too, we’re thankful for the vision that God has given us to begin a new church here and we’re excited to be accomplishing that vision, bringing people to new life through the Gospel (Worship), becoming a community by the Gospel (Love), and doing life together for the Gospel (Mission).

As we look towards 2010 and make plans to grow as an influential church and see the Gospel become more influential in our city it’s my hope that you would continue to support us both financially and in prayer so that we may continue to do the work that Jesus is putting before us.

I’d like to ask, just one more time this year, that you would consider our work and The church in DeKalb as you look towards your year end giving. We still require over $5000 just for our most basic ministry needs which include staff and ministry needs like health insurance, salary, bibles, and mercy ministry needs. Too, one of our biggest needs and desires, as well as a big part of our vision for 2010 is having our own “multi-use” space which we could use for Worship, Office Space, and Mercy Ministry.

So, along with the $5000 we need monthly we’re hopeful to raise another $20,000 to have our own space in DeKalb.

Giving can be done through our website at www.reachingdekalb.net or mailed to Redeemer Fellowship at 1125 Oak Street, St. Charles, IL 60174.

Would you please consider making a year end gift to our ministry and The church in DeKalb to help make our vision manifest?

Too we hope that you’ll continue to pray for us as we move into 2010. Below are some specific needs:

Pray that God continues to grow our new church numerically and spiritually. Last year we started with 4, today we’re 40ish.
Pray that we continue to meet people and have opportunities to share our vision for our new church in this city. Pray that God would give them a glimpse of the reality of this vision and a desire to be a part of it coming to be.
Pray that we continue to be able to preach the Gospel clearly and that people would hear and believe.
Pray for our people: Students will be beginning a new semester in a few weeks. Townies are struggling with jobs and employment. Young adults are making big, life impacting decisions (it’s hard being a 20 something). And we have four men who have been a part of TcD getting married in 2010!
Pray for our new babies: Nora Oneal and Casey Loar.
Pray for Cherron and myself, as well as Noel and Calvin.
More than anything, pray and give thanks that the Father is satisfied in our efforts to be a Gospel-centered church making Gospel-centered Christians because of the Gospel, the blood and righteousness of Jesus!

I continue to thank God for all of you! Thank you for your participation in our ministry. Thank you for your participation in the Gospel!

Grace and Peace,
Jamie