Dear Family in Christ,
A Blessed New Year to you!
The beginning of 2003 looks great to me.  Assuming NorthWest Airlines flies safely, I get to be a part of the Baptism of my only grandchild on January 12th.  I can still remember holding the mother of this child in my arm, back when my hair was brown and my waist was trim, feeling the awe of God's grace as I spoke those Words of welcome and transformation from God over her, "I baptize you, Joy Lynn, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," as I poured water 3 times over her forehead.  It was indeed a joy!
I don't know yet if I get to say the words or pour the water (I hope so), but I do get to be there, and God will be there ahead of me, and the same awesome event will happen, this time to Gloria Lynn.  And it will be a great joy in heaven and for me!
  Thank you for letting me tell you how excited I am about seeing Gloria and being there for her baptism.
I expect that when I come back the next Sunday, January 19, I will be really pumped to celebrate with you the Baptism of our Lord, to remember along with you the great joy of our own Baptisms, and to give Faith Stepping Stones Blessing to each  child who has been baptized at American Lutheran Church in 2002.  Why do we give these blessings?  Because we want the joy of Baptism to go on for these children and for their parents, and we need to remind ourselves of what a joy and gift Baptism is for all of life. 
On that day we will also give out the long awaited Baptism Chests to all who have been baptized since Jan. 1, 2001.
As you can see January is a great Baptism month.
Please note on another page in this newsletter a letter about ushering at our worship services in 2003.  We are assigning ushers again, so check out the list to see when you are on.
On a personal note, Jacki and I thank you for your many Christmas greetings and gifts.  Thank you also for your prayers, cards, and good wishes in regard to Jacki's back problem.
We want you to know that we find our pastoral ministry at American Lutheran Church to be meaningful and enjoyable.  This is God's calling and it is our joy to share the good news of Jesus with you and to lead you in his ministry which we all share together.
It is our hope as we begin a new year that we might all together be faithful to Christ, keep maturing in faith and in good deeds, knowing all the more how passionately God loves us and how intentionally he calls us into his service, while we wait with hope for the glory of Jesus, the Christ.
   As part of this ministry, I look forward to our study together of two of the Gospel. In the women's circles we will begin on January 15 to study the Gospel of John.   I hope that many of you will come to mine with me the treasures of John's Gospel.
At the Men's Bible Study at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings with some breakfast,  we will be studying the Gospel of Mark, which will help us keep pace with our Sunday Gospel readings.  The Sunday morning class continues as well, with a break at times so that I can teach in the Sunday School with children and parents.
A blessed new year to you!
               God bless and keep you,
           Pastor John Sandstrom