From the joy of reflecting on Christ’s birth to the difficulties of our strained economy, this December has mixed emotions to say the least.  Keeping our eyes on Christ will give us the hope necessary to keep a fervent faith into 2009 (“…Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27).  May you have a hope-filled Christmas and New Years during the next couple of weeks.
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The culmination of this past year for Heartfelt Music has been one of meaningful ministry and successful equiping in a variety of ways.  Through Christian Conference Centers (i.e. Mount Hermon; Sugarpine), church training events (i.e. New Life Community Church, VA; Lincoln Glen Church, CA), private lessons (i.e. Los Altos; Danville), Band, Guitar, Voice, & Songwriting instruction (i.e. Bethany University; Los Altos Christian School),  online training (i.e. worshipteleseminar.com; guitarnotes.com), worship leading (i.e. First Baptist Church of Los Altos; Creekside Community Church, Alamo), special conferences (i.e. Christian Guitar & Bass Conference, CA; Worship Wayfarer Conference, OR), concerts (i.e. Silver Spur Tean Camp; Cambrian Park), and mentoring sessions (i.e. BASS Convention; Creekside Community Church Worship Intern Program).  It has been very fulfilling for me to invest in so many lives and see God’s glory manifested in so many lives.
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Heartfelt Music Ministry will continue to touch peoples lives and train them for ministry in 2009.  One of the events to put on your calendar, if you are a guitarist near the Bay Area, is a monthly Guitarist Fellowship beginning Sunday, February 1, at Creekside Community Church in Alamo.  More information to come.
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The Coates family has seen many changes as we’ve transitioned from Mount Hermon to Danville.  We are doing well.  Brandon and Austin are finding they really like Venture School in San Ramon and are now taller than I am.  Sherri is enjoying fixing up the house for the holidays and caring for the three men in her life.  All of us are thankful to be ministering with Creekside Community Church who are wonderful people to be with.  Thank you for your prayers for our family and for Heartfelt Music Ministry.  We appreciate you!
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Merry Christmas!
Reggie

Two months ago, the Coates family embarked on an all-encompassing move to Danville, California.  It’s been a very good experience so far.  I’m actively involved with Creekside Community Church and enjoying the ministry immensely.  Sherri and the boys are actively involved in the church too which is one of the reasons we made the move.  At home, we’re almost unpacked from all the boxes and the house we’re in is a tremendous blessing.  Many of you know some of the trials we’ve experienced over the years, so you can understand the significance when I say, at this time in our life, we feel such a peace, a great sense of love, and a genuine joy about life.  God has been leading and making a way for us which has been both comforting and faith-building.   Brandon is a junior and Austin is a freshman in high school (time flies when you’re having fun!).  Both of them are excelling in school.  We’d love to hear from you when you get a chance.  Thanks for your care for us.  May you feel God loving on you daily.

Since my family and I moved to Danville in August, we’ve been sorting through boxes, getting the “lay of the land,” starting school, and balancing personal life with Creekside Community Church and Heartfelt Music Ministry.  It’s been so positive and a lively adventure for all of us!  Transitions are difficult no matter how you cut it, but I’ve been so encouraged that all of us feel at “home” in the house we’re in and see God’s handiwork through it all.  The boys have just started school which is specifically tailored for them.  Sherri’s loving being so close to every store imaginable.  I’m loving the facets of being a husband, father, and full-on pastor at Creekside.  Pray that we would get settled into some routines and make a difference in this community.

Last week was such a crazy week as we packed, loaded, moved, and unloaded all our stuff from Mt. Hermon to Danville.  It took us three days to get our Mt. Hermon home ready to rent out.  Everything is looking good and we’re wondering why we waited so long to totally fix up our home there.  Now we’re slowly unpacking boxes and getting familiar with the Danville area.  We love it!  Sherri and the boys are so glad to be here.  The people are so friendly in this area and we have already had a meal made for us and people bringing welcome gifts.  It’s great to be a part of Creekside Community Church.

I’ve just taken a new pastoral position at Creekside Community Church in Alamo (near Danville and Walnut Creek in California) and we’ll be moving at the end of this month.  This is a huge move for us since we’ve lived in Mount Hermon for 14 years.  I’m very excited about the church, my ministry involvement,  and what it means for my family.  We’ll be living only 5 miles from the church which means no more commuting.  I’ll still be working with Heartfelt Music Ministry, but I’ll be more involved with this local church in the East Bay.  It is clearly a “God-send” and already we can tell God is at work to build His Kingdom in a significant way.  Would you pray for me and my family’s transition, move, and ministry with new people?  There never a dull moment when we let God lead the way!