Dear Church Family,
The nation bids farewell this week to the 39th President, Jimmy Carter., who died on December 29th at the age of 100.  I have long admired him as a man of deep personal faith, whose character and integrity shaped his life long commitment to public service.   His commitment to human rights shaped much of us work as President.  But he was almost better known for his post Presidential work for Habitat for Humanity, and health based programs like that which virtually eliminated Guinea worm illness. 
Carter could be a  tough and disciplined taskmaster.  He readily admitted flaws and imperfections, but I loved stories which showed an empathetic and kind side.  He was a frequent flyer on Delta airlines, and the company  reported that on each flight he’d take time to greet every passenger. 
His faith permeated the core of his being.  I have used his devotional book Through the Year with Jimmy Carter, and  found his daily meditations to be well grounded in scripture, theologically thoughtful, and full of common sense application.  I’d recommend it to you as well as his spiritual autobiography Living Faith.
This week marks “The Baptism of the Lord” in the church calendar.  The sermon is “Beginning with Baptism” and the texts are Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22.
See you in church.
Rich 
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