THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

 

    Jesus healed a blind man then taught, "I am the light of the world."  He fed 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish, then taught, "I am the bread of life"  He raised Lazarus from the tomb, proclaiming, "I am the resurrection and the life."  
      The signs which John records, all point us to a truth about Jesus; however, Jesus not only told us about himself, he told us who we are.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth. . . ."  Then he said, "You are the light of the world."
       We can say with certainty that we could all let out lights shine brighter.  And of course, here at Westminster we could be a little "saltier and brighter," but I rejoice at the light we shared during this past year. 
        In 2013 several of our members served on various boards and agencies of local charities such as: Love INC, Health Horizons of East Texas, and Community Rx.  We have not only supported the work of New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children (NOROC), but our ministry with NOROC has inspired the Stephen F. Austin State University  Freshman Leadership Academy to get involved with NOROC.  This group will be sending six SFA students along with our own Dr. Peck to work in the NOROC program for two weeks following graduation.  The group also hosts fund raisers  to support the NOROC ministry.
      Two of our members traveled to Belize on a medical mission trip, and one traveled to Ghana.  When the weather warms, several of our members will join with supporters of Health Horizons of East Texas to construct a much needed privacy fence for their new building. 
      When it comes to mission giving, we accomplished our goal of offering 20% of our operating income on mission projects.  This amount combined with other giving added up to about $90,000 in support for Christian missions.  Not bad for a church our size.
       Our light could be brighter, but I give thanks for a job well done.

Steve