The Latin word janua means a door or window from which a person may look both ways, in other words, in and out--forward and back. Historians say that January is also derived from the name Janus, a common household god among the Romans. He was often depicted facing in two directions. Basically, he was looking forward and back. As we stand now in the month of January and at the beginning of a new year we naturally look back over the way we have come. We also naturally look ahead to the New Year and where we are going.

At this time of year it is a good thing, although often not an easy thing, to pause and reflect on all that God has done throughout the past year and to contemplate those things that we expect to see Him do in the year to come.

It seems appropriate at this time of Thanksgiving to say thanks to the many who have contributed so much to the work and mission of our church.

Fall has come and it is once again time for our annual missionary convention. Our missionaries this year will be Jeff and Heather Williams who for the past fourteen years have been missionaries to Cambodia.

Did you ever stop to think that there are certain things that bring joy to the Lord’s heart? Luke’s Gospel account is the only one that tells of the sending out of the seventy. It is also the only account that describes their joyous return telling of all that took place. Luke says Jesus “rejoiced” upon hearing the report of the results of mission of the seventy.

Faster than a speeding nursery worker, more powerful than the stewardship committee, able to fill the baptismal font from a single bucket, it’s Super Pastor! Teaching, preaching, visiting, counseling, praying, visiting, meeting with boards, speaking at picnics, visiting, singing in the choir—that’s what we pay him for. Stand in awe as we watch him pour himself out like a drink offering on the altar of the church! Go pastor; you’re our man; if you can’t do it, no one can!

About seven months ago I raised the question: “Would anyone notice?” It is a question that I continue to mull over. Think about it for a moment. It might seem like an episode from The Twilight Zone, but imagine this. The Bridgton Alliance Church building sits as always on route 117. The Lawn is mowed. The church building is well painted. The driveways are clean. Everything from an exterior standpoint seems normal, but the church is empty. There are no services, no staff, and no use is made at all of the facilities. My question is, would anybody notice? Would the Bridgton News write an article lamenting or even commenting on the closing of a 40 year old church? Within the community would anyone notice that the church was no longer there? More importantly, would anyone care?

Do churches need mirrors? The answer in more ways than one is yes. We have large mirrors in our restrooms which are greatly appreciated by all who use them. I have one in my office, next to the door so I can take a quick check on my tie and hair before going into the sanctuary on Sunday morning. Churches no doubt need a mirror in another sense also. It is important to be able to see ourselves as others see us.

Having just come through 40 Days of Community there is much that we have learned and much that we have experienced. Throughout the campaign we have been challenged to fulfill the purposes of God, not alone, but together. God has a plan for our lives and a purpose that he wants us to fulfill. But God never intended that we fulfill this plan alone. As individuals we are a part of the whole.

Throughout the 40 Days of Community campaign, reports have come in of people being blessed in extraordinary ways. While some questioned before we started why we were doing something that lasted so long, generally speaking most people felt it went by too fast. The combination of the Sunday services, the daily reading of the book and the involvement in the small groups had a strong impact on any who really took part. In fact the blessing was proportional to the involvement. For any who may have been tempted to ask if anything was accomplished through our 40 Days campaign the answer is that WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.