Rev. Craig Goodrich

Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor craigg@fpcnaples.org

As we begin

this new Church year with the Season of Advent and move towards Christmas, I invite you to look back with gratitude and to look forward with hope and expectation. In these pages you will find much for which to give thanks and, looking ahead, many meaningful opportunities to participate in the life of our congregation. As I look back, I give thanks for the privilege of serving alongside our remarkable staff, elders, deacons and Stephen Ministers. And in this season when we celebrate the incarnation, Emmanuel, “God with us,” we remember that we do not travel alone, that there is one who goes with us. So, as we begin our sacred journey to Bethlehem, I offer you these encouraging words of the late Dutch priest and spiritual writer Henri Nouwen:

“God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy. This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey. The God of love who gave us life sent his only Son to be with us at all times and at all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but can always trust that he walks with us…. Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and let him – whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend – be our companion.” I hope you will read this issue of the Outreach thoroughly and find those places where you sense you are being called to worship, to love, to grow and to serve here in the heart of Naples. We welcome all and by the power of the Holy Spirit together we seek to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the Staff and Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, we wish you a very Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas. “Let every heart prepare Him room.” Faithfully and Gratefully,