I am told that the most common word used in advertising is the word “new.” Why? The reason is because we all want something new. The word “new” implies that we can leave the “old” and press on to bigger and better things.

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). However, since we go by the Gregorian calendar, we celebrate January 1^st as the first day of the New Year.

Have you ever wondered why we sing the song “Auld Lang Syne?" In almost every English-speaking country in the world, the tradition is that this song is sung at the stroke of midnight to bring in the New Year.  At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

The famous preacher G.K. Chesterton once said, “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year.  It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.  Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.  Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. “

As I look back over the 2011 year, I am thankful for God’s blessings. I am thankful for the prayers and faithfulness of our church members. Despite difficulties in our economy and other such challenges, God has blessed our church financially. We were able to give more to missions and other outreaches to promote the gospel in our community and throughout the world. I am thankful for staff, our teachers, our Session, our Deacons, and many volunteers who serve faithfully each week. Without your faithfulness and service, we could not serve our members and community as we do. There are so many reasons to be thankful.

But what will 2012 entail for us at Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church? We are anticipating the Lord to bless our church as we faithfully serve Him. Let me encourage you to make this coming year a year of spiritual growth for you and your family. May I suggest that you set some spiritual goals for yourself and your family? You might also set a goal to spend more time in prayer.  Plan to join us for prayer each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room at church. Consider setting a goal to develop more spiritual maturity and discipleship by becoming involved in an Adult Learning Community on Sunday morning. On January 8^th we will offer three new Adult Learning Communities at our church. The topics include “The Fight” by John White, “Worship in Spirit and Truth” by John Frame, and “Journey through the Bible” which is a study of the book of John. All classes begin at 9:30 each Sunday at our church. We also offer many small groups to assist in discipleship and fellowship with one another. There are brochures in the brochure racks in the narthex to give you more information about these studies and other opportunities for involvement.

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Pressing toward the mark is pressing toward the purposes God has for our lives. The Bible tells us how we may please God and what God requires of us.

My prayer for each of us is that 2012 will be a year of great spiritual growth as we mature in our relationship with the Lord and with one another. May the Lord be glorified and you and your family be blessed.

Dr. Joe King

Sr. Pastor of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church