January 1, 2023
Blessing to You Dear
Friends of Rockwood,
I want to express my deep
appreciation for the great participation in our annual Christmas Eve
Service this year; it was truly one of the best that I remember, and I
am grateful we could share it with so many on Facebook, considering the
brutalness of the weather.
That plus our special service with the families
of Alton Bible Church made December an outstanding way to end the year.
This past year was a particularly challenging
year for me, with hip surgery, hernia surgery and covid. It is true that
getting older does not
mean life is getting any easier; I often quip that for me the only thing
that seems to be getting better is my forgetter. But I have to say that
as I reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness; I feel rich with blessings, and
you are a big part of those blessings. Phyllis and I want to thank you
for your love and support.
2023 is a Golden Year for
us in life’s journey. In March, Phyllis and I will celebrate fifty years
of marriage and in the fall, we will have reached fifty years of
ministry here with you at Rockwood. In our wildest dreams, we could not
have imagined the countless blessings we have received in children,
grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the multitude of brothers and
sisters in Christ. All of you have
had a part in making our lives so blessed. And God
is not finished, so let’s continue to support each other as we approach
the time Christ’s appearing when we shall be like Him.
Behold what manner of love
the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of
God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God: and it has not yet been revealed
what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like
Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:1-2)
It is my prayer that we
will walk in the wisdom of our Lord and truly be seeking for new
opportunities in outreach and ministry. In the first quarter of the year
we will be finishing up the second half of our study in Zechariah on
Sundays, using our Wednesday Zoom meeting to help us stay focused
on prayer, and studying the Disciplines Of A Godly
Man in our Thursday Men Group. I would like to see us begin a monthly
Ladies Study and increase the number of fellowship lunches following our
morning services.
In addition, since we are overcoming Covid, we
may also begin to renew an emphasis on developing Connect Opportunities.
Increased fellowship with Alton Bible Church, potential meetings with
Freddie Coile, and having Justin and Amy Culp share the new direction in
ministry God has given
them stateside are a few of the discussions ongoing as we start the
year.
We should also be praying that God would open a
new door for ministry with our kids and grandkids.
I am encouraged with the
new year before us and covet your prayers that I may be strengthened
with might by His Spirit and demonstrate His wisdom and love in service
for Him.
Serving You With Joy,
Pastor Pete
Pastor Charles “Pete” Patton
2425 Glencoe Rd, Wildwood, MO 63038
|