A Word from the Pastor

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1 Volume 11, Issue 1 January 2, 2019 Who We Are Liberty Road Faith Fellowship is a Multi-denominational gathering of Christians who enjoy traditional worship services. Where to Find Us We worship at 2734 Liberty Road. You can find us on the web at We Gather for Fellowship Coffee/Donut Fellowship Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m. in room 6 Thank you for helping us keep our church clean and tidy by keeping all the food and beverages in room 6 (Hospitality room) on Sunday mornings. We Gather for Bible Study The Living Faith Sunday school meets at 9:30 a.m. in room 9. Scot Reeves, teacher. A Word from the Pastor I m still basking in the afterglow of a first Christmas together experience with my LRFF church family. We have already invested much of ourselves in each other through shared events and special initiatives. My heart smiles as I observe the ways you care for each other. The Spirit of Christ is embodied as you carry God s love into the world through ministering to all God s children. I pray that, in the coming year, we will continue to look for new and meaningful ways to manifest and reveal God s unconditional love, whether it s within our own church family, in Lexington, or across the globe. It will be in these efforts that we distinguish ourselves as a member of the Body of Christ, rather than a club who talks about doing good to feel good about ourselves. I will be reaching out to you in the weeks and months ahead. I m interested in hearing your thoughts about how, as a family of faith, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in our world. Meanwhile, if you have some specific ideas or thoughts about a special ministry project, I hope you ll contact me and share your vision. I am already in prayer for us as a church as we forge, faithfully and faith-filled, into a new year together. May the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the peace of the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts in the coming year as we continue to be transformed into the imago dei. Sincerely,

2 The In Between Class meets at 10:00 a.m. in room 1. Hope Spoonamore, teacher. The Adult Bible Study meets at 10:00 a.m. in room 4. Bennie McWain, teacher. We Gather for Worship Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Thank you from your Pastor Thank you to those who conspired and collaborated with Meredith and my daughter, Elizabeth, to surprise me on my birthday. (You re good secret-keepers!) Your grins, warm hugs, and your very presence was a delight to my heart and made my birthday a joyous memory I ll always cherish. Thank you for gifting me with your time Sunday ~ and your friendship and love always. Children s Church: 11:15 a.m. In room 5. Our Nursery is located in room 2. We re Looking Forward January 3 (Thursday) Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 6 (Sunday) Epiphany Sunday Communion passed in the pews in the 11 a.m. service. January 7 (Monday) Women s Fellowship meets at 1:00 p.m. in room #3 for card ministry. January 8 (Tuesday) P.A.W. (Pray And Walk) from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. ABOVE: A picture of Pastor Lisa and her beautiful family taken at the surprise birthday party they had for her in Kearns Hall on Sunday, December 30 th. It was a Harry Potter kind of day. (Look for more pictures in future issues of The Current.)

3 January 9 (Wednesday) Grief Workshop in Room #3. From the Staff of Liberty Road Faith Fellowship! January 10 (Thursday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 10 (Thursday) Bridge Group resumes at 12:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 10 (Thursday) Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 15 (Tuesday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 15 (Tuesday) Finance Committee meeting at 2:30 p.m. in the Library. (NOTE: change of date) January 17 (Thursday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 17 (Thursday) Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 20 (Sunday) A Congregational meeting will be held in the sanctuary immediately Our next Legends Breakfast will be January 26 By Jim Host Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m. in Kearns Hall. Our speakers will be Tom Leach, the radio Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, and Cameron Mills, former UK player. We ll have more information in our next issue of The Current. You can sign up in the foyer or call the church office to have your name added to the list.

4 following the morning service for the purpose of voting on the 2019 Budget. (The Administrative Board will meet immediately following the Congregational meeting in the Library.) January 22 (Tuesday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 24(Thursday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. Faith for the New Year By Jackie Bondurant The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 January 24 (Thursday) Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 24 (Thursday) Missions Committee Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. January 26 (Saturday) Legends Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in Kearns Hall. Cameron Mills and Tom Leach will be our speakers. Be sure to mark your calendar. More information to come. January 29 (Tuesday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. New Year s Day for David and I is usually spent with wood burning in the insert, football, corned beef and cabbage, and black-eyed peas. Falling in the midst of winter and no chance of sitting on our porch, we are content to use the day to reflect on the past and dream about the future. Personal achievements both successful and not-so-much, family, new and old friends, and, at our age, the chance to live another year, all dance around in our minds. The deaths of loved ones, far and near, is a thought that ruminates in the mind, but only for a moment. As Shakespeare wrote: In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me. If anything, I know that Christ came to teach us how to live now. His words describing life and how-to of living provide us with the strength to face death with dignity and certainty of a future. Christ said: Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

5 January 29 (Tuesday) The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah Bible Study begins today at 1:00 p.m. in the Library. January 31 (Thursday) P.A.W. from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. in Kearns Hall. January 31 (Thursday) Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m. in Kearns Hall. Prayer Requests To add a prayer request, please fill out a Prayer Request card, call the church office at , or submit a prayer request or update online by going to Libertyroadfaithfellowship.org. Most requests are left in the bulletin and newsletter for 2 weeks or so and will be taken out as space is needed for other requests. If you want your request to remain in for a longer period of time...please provide updates. Be joyful in hope, Patient in affliction, Faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 Don t Hibernate for the Winter - Pause to P.A.W. P.A.W. Begins January 8 We know it s cold out there. We know the days are still short, and sometimes a little gloomy, but here s a way to beat the winter blah s! Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Kearns Hall as we walk and pray our way around the Pray & Walk gym. It s a great way to begin a new discipline that will benefit both body and soul. Set your own pace in your stride and in your prayers. Bring a friend and walk beside each other. If you prefer not to walk, you re welcome to sit in chairs we have available and pray. The doors will be open from 11:00 1:00 each day and we hope you ll choose to join us! Treats for the Donut Room By B. Wayne Sullivan If you would like to bring some treats to share with everyone on Sunday, January 6, that would be great! Spaulding s Donuts will be closed, so we will have to rely on the generosity of our members to have some goodies that morning in our Hospitality room.

6 Pray for little Marie, age 3, who is recovering from surgery to remove a malignant kidney and will begin chemotherapy soon. Pray for Mark Sisk, brother of Jon Sisk, who will begin chemo in early January. Pray for Ruby Ingram, who is dealing with multiple serious health issues. Ruby is a member, but lives at 60 Palmetto Loop, Apt. 1, Glendale, KY She enjoys reading The Current to stay in touch. Pray for Joey Maggard, a former student of Les Anderson. Joey is recovering from colon-rectal surgery. Pray for Joyce Reaguer, who is at Homestead Health Care facility on Versailles Road for rehab. Cards can be sent to 4232 Jasmine Rose Way, Lexington, KY Pray for Martha Lester, who is back at The Willows at Fritz Farm. You can send cards to 2710 Man O War Blvd., Room #215B, Lexington, KY Service Auction and SOUPer Bowl Sunday... If you would like to offer YOUR giftedness in the way of a service to be auctioned, please let Pastor Lisa know and she ll make a tag describing your service and add it to the bulletin board. Be sure to check the board each week for new services that may be of interest to you! This church is richly blessed with many talented folks who are willing to share their services. The auction is just another way of using our gifts to the glory of God and God s kingdom. This will take place on SOUPer Bowl Sunday. A New Bible Study in the New Year By Dr. Joanne Fortson Grasp new insights into the Bible and what it means for you as as we continue our Tuesday afternoon Bible study based on Ray Vander Laan's fascinating video series that weaves together the Bible's historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts. We will focus on "The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah" in a 10-week study beginning January 29. With two snow days planned into our schedule, we will finish this study a week before Easter. We look forward to your joining us at 1:00 in the church library (we will move to Kearns Hall if we get too many people to fit in the library). You do not need a book to participate in the study, but if you would like to have a study guide for additional materials you can go through at home, please let Joanne Fortson know. The books are $7.50 each.

7 Pray for Samuel Graham, grandson of Kimberly Youdell, who is now at home with daily seizure medication after experiencing a grand mal seizure. Kimm appreciates your prayers on his behalf. Pray for Jacob, a teenager in West Virginia, who is dealing with mental health issues. (M. Borders) Pray for the family of Jerry Gibbs, who died on 11/30. His wife, Jean, lives at 1800 Joan Drive, Lexington, KY Pray for Jamie Svec as he prepares spiritually, physically and financially to leave for Jordan on January 2 January 30 to serve on a mission trip. Jamie s parents are Jim and Linda Svec. Pray for Jean Simpson, who is now at Baptist Health in S340. She has been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a very serious illness that affects her muscles. She has had a slight improvement. Women s Fellowship Update By Dr. Joanne Fortson The Women's Fellowship Group will meet Monday, January 7, at 1:00 at the church. We will decide what we want to "be" as a group for 2019, and also will prepare the monthly cards for our "Card Ministry." Whether you already are a part of this group -- or would like to be -- please plan on joining us. Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 20, 2019 A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the end of our morning service for the purpose of voting on the 2019 budget. Please make every effort to attend. Attention Choir! There will be NO Choir rehearsal on January 2, 9 and 16. Richard has sent an to you, but it never hurts to give a reminder. You Still Have Time... Donations for Toboggans, Gloves and Socks for girls and boys can still be made through Sunday, January 6. The ladies from Women s Fellowship will pick up these items on Monday and deliver the donations to Liberty Elementary and Yates Elementary next week.

8 Pray also for Jean s husband, Silver, who is dealing with serious health issues at home. Silver and Jean live at 1617 Cantrill Drive, Lexington, KY Pictures from our Church Family Album... Pray for Chad Manley, as he begins four more chemo treatments. Pray that he can tolerate these treatments so that he can have the second surgery on his liver. (Mary Anne Pollock) Pray for Louise Sargent, who is recovering from a broken femur and hip. Her address is 753 Glendover, Lexington Pictured above are Dr. Mary Anne Pollock and Karen Maudsley. Below are Les Anderson and Scot Reeves. Pray for John May, who is facing some serious health issues. His address is 104 Paige Drive, Nicholasville, KY Pray for Elmer Day, Kevin Maudsley s cousin, who has resumed chemo for pancreatic cancer. Pray for Steve Cohen, brother-inlaw of Kevin Maudsley, who needs prayers for recovery.

9 Pray for our soldiers Faith Afield Pray for our service men and women who are active and also for our veterans who deal with difficult health issues every day as a result of their service to their country. Here are the names of the service people we currently know about. SOME NOT SO SERIOUS PICTURES OF OUR HANDBELL CHOIR. LEFT: Les Anderson and Scot Reeves. SSGT. Jamen Berry, son of Andy Berry, is in the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas. He will retire next summer. Senior Airman Benjamin Engelbrecht has completed his military service, has married, and is now living in Kentucky. Elnur Iskandarov nephew of Ginny Berry by marriage, is in the 10th Group, Special Forces Unit in Ft. Carson, Colorado. LEFT: Scot Reeves, our Comedian in Residence, is directing the Handbell Choir. (I think.) BELOW RIGHT: Linda Martin and Kinch Query. What can we say? Our Handbell Choir likes to have fun at practice. Capt. Ginny Iskandarov niece of Ginny Berry, graduated. Ginny is now attending the military college at Ft. Leavenworth for one year and is on the list for promotion to Major.

10 Luke Pepperl, grandson of Jim Pepperl, is in Navy SEALs training at San Diego, California. Some of our beautiful families at LRFF! Lt. Cameron Smith brother of Sean Smith, is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jake Vessels grandson of Helen Crews, is in the National Guard. Jake has been deployed to Africa. Please send Ginny Berry any updates on the status of these persons change in rank, address, new assignment Her address is Martha Ministry Team members for January are Pat Host, Rachel Jones, Vicki Kirn, Ann Lucas and Frances Lawson. If you cannot serve, please contact Valda May at (859) and she will be glad to reschedule you for another month. ABOVE: Mike & Vicki Brown s beautiful family! BELOW: Hope Spoonamore s beautiful family! Current Administrative Board for Roger Blair, Chair; Richard Baber, Paul Engelbrecht, Rachel Jones, Hope

11 Spoonamore, John Leindecker, Ann Lucas, John May, Liz Peters, Jackie Bondurant, Bd. Secretary; Mitch Borders, Treasurer; Kevin Maudsley, Paul Taylor. Deadline for The Current Prayer requests, committee news or announcements, and personal interest stories should be submitted by NOON on Monday for inclusion in the next issue of The Current. Please send them by to libertyroadfaithfellowship.org Deadline for the Bulletin Announcements for the Sunday bulletin should be sent to Norma by NOON on Wednesdays at Ann Crowe will continue to post events/dates on our website calendar, so if you have an event that needs to be posted please notify her at by NOON on Wednesdays. ABOVE: John & Valda May s beautiful family! BELOW LEFT: Dr. Joanne Fortson pictured with her husband, Kent. BELOW RIGHT: Thelma Finch lights the Christ candle on Christmas Eve, while Joanne Fortson read the scripture.

12 Change Is Possible By Anne Graham Lotz Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Psalm 63:3, NKJV No means of measure can define God s limitless love... No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply... No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings... He forgives and He forgets. He creates and He cleanses. He restores and He rebuilds. He heals and He helps. He reconciles and He redeems. He comforts and He carries. He lifts and He loves. He is the God of the second chance, the fat chance, the slim chance... Just give me Jesus! He makes change possible! Christmas Eve... ABOVE LEFT: Our Christmas Eve candlelight service. RIGHT: Virginia Bergquist Bowles shared her lovely voice with us to make the service even more special. ABOVE FRONT: are Mr. Ed Kirn, with his son, Dr. David Kirn, and daughter-inlaw, Vicki. Also pictured behind them are Ann Crowe and Kevin Maudsley. Christmas Eve is always such a moving service for all who attend.

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