Happy New Year and greetings in the name of the Risen Lord. Whew, it does not seem possible, but we are beginning a new year, and what a blessing it has been to be here and what a blessing it is

to be beginning yet another new year together. I think back to difficulties I had in getting back to Texas and also the difficulties you had in getting a pastor here, and I cannot help but thank God for His plan that is perfect. The fact is that if I had wrangled a call somewhere else or if you had called another pastor, then we would not be wishing each other a Happy New Year now. I know that sometimes it seems at the time that what is happening is the absolutely the worst, but as we look back hopefully, we can see God’s hand was on us all along. WOW, God is Good! The common wisdom in society tells us we should come up with so many resolutions as we begin a new year about how much better we will be in the new year because we did not do everything we wanted in the past year. We resolve to stop smoking, drinking, cussing, or you fill in the blank, just as we resolve to begin good habits like working out or not eating chocolate or donuts or whatever we might need to improve on. As you read this, some 4 or 5 days have passed in January and I wonder how you are doing on your new resolutions. Have many of them already crumbled? Are those that have not yet gone by the wayside in jeopardy? Is there any hope that any resolutions will be unbroken by the start of February? The problem with resolutions is that we decide how WE can make things better. It is all about how WE as an individuals can change some part of our world. Resolutions like this are doomed to fail because we are not in control, even though we want to be and think we are. As we begin this new year, and this Sunday being Epiphany, it seems quite appropriate that we ordain and install our new elders. So many things have gone so good since we became a family a year ago and it is so exciting to see how God has worked in our midst. I am excited to see how God will continue to work through our new Session and new elders as we continue to shine his light in the darkness around us.

Isaiah 60:5 tells us: “Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” Perhaps, instead of making resolutions, we should instead allow God to lead us and show us what we should do and how we should do it. Do not worry what the new year holds, but instead, in all things be grateful that God is alive working in our life. We are not now, nor have we ever been, in control and that is the epiphany that hopefully, we can see, realizing that God has a plan to prosper us and not to harm us. So, when things do not seem to be working the way we feel they should, take time to remember that our plans rarely work, but God’s plan always does. This New Year, take time to reflect on how God is working in your life and then take time to thank God for doing so and resolve to relinquish control and instead allow God to lead. I for one am so thankful that God brought us together even though it seemed it would never happen, and I know that God has amazing things in store for us in the months and years to come. So, if there is a resolution to make, resolve to relinquish control to the one who loves us enough to die for us so we might have everlasting life. Regardless what we plan, God’s plan is perfect and grand, and far more than anything we could ever envision. I will leave you with the wisdom of the Apostle Paul from our Galatians passage this week: “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.” So I leave you with the Peace of Christ and pray that you will find your peace in knowing that God loves you and has a plan for each and every one of us – today and every day to come. God bless and keep you,

Pastor Josyph

Burnet Presbyterian Church Newsletter for January, 2019

P. O. Box 126

Burnet, Texas 78611 E-mail: burnetpres@gmail.com

Phone: 512-756- 4366 Website: www.bpcburnet.org

** Thank You It has been a rough year for

me and I am very grateful to each

and everyone of you for your

cards and prayers. Knowing that

my church family was concerned

was very meaningful to me.

Dick Smith

** Praying for Persecuted Christians

Open Door.org has determined that Pakistan is the

fifth most dangerous country for Christians in the world.

While the estimate is 3.9 million Christians living in

Pakistan, the population stands at 197 million, making

Christians a small minority.

Radical Muslims monitor gatherings of converts and

historic churches have been subject to bomb attacks. All

Christians suffer from institutionalized discrimination,

with occupations that are seen as low, dirty and

derogatory being officially reserved for Christians, most

of whom are from the poorer classes. Radical Islamic

groups, courted by political parties, the army and

government, run thousands of schools capable of stirring

up enmity towards religious minorities. Blasphemy laws

target Christians in particular. Conversion from Islam

brings great shame to family and community, and danger

for the new believer.

PLEASE PRAY:

Ask God to protect Christian women and girls at

risk of abduction, rape, forced marriage and forced

conversion to Islam.

That Pakistan’s laws will protect Christians from the strategies of radical Islamic groups.

That God’s gracious presence in the lives of believers from Muslim backgrounds will be

winsome to others.

** Hosterman’s New Address Greg and Sue Hosterman have moved! Their new address is: 92 Gateway North #41 Marble Falls, TX 78654 Please note this change in your church directory. We will be publishing a new directory sometime early in 2019. If you have also had a change of address, please let us know and we will put it in the newsletter and get it in the next directory.

** Burnet Book Marks

Burnet Book Marks Thursday, January 24 9:30AM Church Library

The 'BB's' will discuss the book Channel of Peace, by Kevin Tuerff, a true story of how the people of Gander Newfoundland "adopted" the passengers of diverted planes, forced to land at their military base following the terrorist attacks on America, September 11, 2001. The musical, Come from Away, now playing in NYC, is also based on this event. A breakfast casserole and coffee will be served. Please come for food, fun and fellowship. Pat Collins

** MOC Minutes for December, 2018

Five men (Carl, Dick, Jack, Joseph, Hap) met for Men of the Church at Storm’s on December 2nd. Jack gave treasurer’s report showing $368.00. Dick also read a thank you from the Pakistan Education Board for the recent MOC donation. This donation will enable the group to better serve the Christian community there. Carl led a devotional titled “What Jesus did for us” based on Revelation 1:1-6. Jesus set us free with the cost of His own blood. What Jesus did as John sees it, was to free us from our sins with the cost of His blood. The words “to wash” and “to set free” are very alike in group. Some feel that this is a mis-translation. It is exactly what Paul meant when he spoke of us as being redeemed from the curse of the law, and when he spoke of redeeming those who were under the law. Next meeting will be on January 6, 2019. Please come and join us at 8 a.m. at Storm’s. Submitted by Hap Zimmerman

** PW Christmas 2018

Twenty- eight women journeyed up the hill to the beautiful home of Fred and Armour Shin for the annual P.W. Christmas Party. The day was sunny and spirits were high as we gathered for a delicious salad potluck lunch and scrumptious desserts all prepared by the best cooks in Burnet County! The highlight of the day was the White Elephant Gift Exchange. I actually got a white elephant which was promptly stolen by Pat Collins! Linda Caldwell seemed to have the talent for choosing the best gifts which were immediately stolen! Several others had the same fate –

there was a lot of stealing going on considering this was a group of church ladies!

We did not neglect the purpose of the day, however, which was to contribute to the Red Stocking fund. This is the fund that we use to support the many charities with which we are involved for the coming year. To date we have received $1350.00 from various ladies and one wonderful gentleman, but if you didn’t get a chance to contribute, it is never too late! We accept contributions from guys as well as gals! Our next P.W. meeting will be Monday, January 14 at 1:30 in the Church Parlor. Hope to see everyone there. We wish everyone a blessed New Year. Respectfully submitted - Janie Howell, Secretary

** Heart Felt Thanks

Dear Carol, Deanie, Marsha,

Jane, Hilda, Peggy, Lynne, Alice,

the Hunts, Sue, Cissy, Pat, Janie,

Linda, Jean, Helen, Dianne, JoAnn,

Susan and Amy, It is with happy

tears that I read and re-read the

beautiful book of testimonies to

Susannah which you gave me at the

PW Christmas Party. Every mother is secretly thrilled

when others speak well of her child—it is like a gift. I

thank God for his gift of Susannah and you for the

memories you shared and the many kindnesses to

her. Susannah was, and Fred and I are so fortunate to

have such a wonderful, sustaining Christian family. In

every way your caring lessens some of the pain of

losing her. With much love to all of you,

Armour

** Many Thanks

In 2018 our church provided lunch for 25-30 folks at the Highland Lakes Respite Center located in the first Methodist church in Burnet. Our assigned date is the third Tuesday of every other month beginning with February. We are already signed up to continue with this work in 2019 so if you weren’t able to contribute in 2018, your next opportunity will be February 19, 2019! If you are interested in volunteering on one of our Tuesdays, please see Janie Howell. These are the folks who contributed either food or funds to make 2018 a success. Without help from our congregation, we could not meet the needs of our community. Thank you all! Alice Anglin Peggy Hammond Nancy Allen Janie Howell Kay Behrens Alvin Nored Cissy Butler Dick Spinner Kathy Frankum Jane Zimmerman

** Session Review December, 2018 A short Burnet Presbyterian Church State Session Meeting took place on December 18, 2018 at 4:25 p.m. at the library of Burnet Presbyterian Church. Present: Pat Collins, Armour Shin, Marsha Spinner (Clerk), Rev. Josyph Andrews, Moderator. Nancy Allen and Alice Anglin were absent. Fred Shin attended as an advisor. A quorum was present. Pastor Josyph opened the meeting with a prayer. The following decisions were made:

To elect Carl Spinner as Treasurer for 2019 To elect Marsha Spinner as Clerk of Session for

2019 To accept a monetary gift from Don and Jin Hee

Dingwall of $12,000 to pay for a sound system installed by Church Systems Design costing $11,652.75, any incidentals, and also for a plaque recognizing Susannah Dingwall.

The meeting was duly adjourned and Josyph closed

with a prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Marsha Spinner

** LACare Update In the month of November, 285 families with 850 individuals were served. Please continue to support this worthy cause as we enter into 2019.

** UPDATE ON PCHAS COLLEGE STUDENTS

Many of you have “adopted” one of the college students sponsored by Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services and have communicated with them. We had not heard back from any of the students which prompted me to write to Allison Harris at PCHAS to be sure that the students were receptive to our communications. Below is her reply to me which will be an encouragement to all of us who are participating. There are still a few students available for adoption, and, of course, you can send a card to any student you wish. The sign-up chart is on the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your support!

Janie, “Our college students have reported frequently to our AE Coordinator that they greatly appreciate the cards, letters and/or care packages received during their college journey. Many reported that just knowing that someone was thinking of them gave them the motivation to continue. In fact, several graduated students have come back years after graduating to report that they still have all of the cards received during their college years. Keep in mind, these cards are from staff or donors, not family members. As much as we would love to know that they are showing gratitude and connecting directly to our friends of the agency (church individuals or groups), many students are reluctant to do so for the sake of confidentiality, shame, or insecurities felt by being in foster care. We hope you will have full confidence that your gift of time, prayers, and mail is definitely a worthy gift to our students. Thank you so much and your church family for being a testimony to our students showing that people of faith truly do have unconditional and Christ-like love for people they may never get to meet.” Blessings, Allison

** November Financial Report The November Financial Report is attached at the back of the newsletter along with the calendar, or if you are getting this via email, they are attached as additional documents.