Pastor’s Page

The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever (at least I hope some of us have) and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another, as our country has gone through COVID, protests, natural disasters, and political division. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.

Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.
Our God is a “with us” God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel, God with us. And though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.

I’d like to share a prayer with you as we move into the new year:

God, thank you for helping us to make it through this difficult year. Thank you that you’ve carried us through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses. We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, your power working through even the toughest days.

Help us to keep our focus first on you. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention to other things, for looking to other people before coming to you first. Help us to reflect again on all you have done for us. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. Thank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness. In your name. Amen