Dear Church,

What would 2018 look like if we lived as closely as possible to the New Testament Church? What if we loved Christ, devoured His Word, and had a passion to reach all people with the Gospel regardless of the cost? What if we gathered for prayer like the 120 in Acts chapter one? What would happen if we devoted ourselves to the Word, to fellowship, and to prayer like in Acts chapter two? What if we made the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel like in Acts 3? What could we do if we shared our resources open-handedly to help those in our fellowship in need like in Acts four? What if we rejoiced when we were rejected because of Christ like the apostles in Acts five? What would Woodmont look like if we had an abundance of men filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit like Acts chapter six? If some of our members were killed for their love of Christ like Stephen in Acts seven, would the people of Woodmont rejoice or run in fear? If persecution strikes Florence, Alabama in 2018, would we scatter and faithfully share the Gospel like Acts eight, or would we hide in fear? What would happen if the "chief of sinners" of the Shoals area entered our church, persecuted our church, but was radically converted like Saul in Acts chapter nine? What if we sent people on missions, celebrated what God was doing around the world, and celebrated when other churches did well in our area? What if we really had one focus in 2018: the glory of God!

My prayer for 2018 is that Woodmont would embrace the challenge of being a New Testament Church; not so we can say we accomplished anything, but to look back in 2019 and know He's worthy of it! By the Lord's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, I'm looking forward to 2018, His glory, and His mission. I covet your prayers this year for our church, my family, and myself as we grow together into what God is calling us to be and do! Much love.

In Christ,

Chad

Under His grace,

Steve