HOPE FOR A NEW YEAR.
As we enter another New Year Year a variety of thoughts and expectations come to mind.
- Wow 2024. We weren’t sure what to expect when we went in to 2000 and 24 years later here we are
- For some a New year brings hope and excitement for upcoming events
- For some a New year brings new physical challenges as we age.
- For some a New Year is tough because we lost someone in the past year
- For some a New year means New beginnings
- For some a New year means the treadmill speeds up and for some it means we are changing gears and maybe slowing down some.
So we enter another year with many emotions and challenges. Even our Congregation enters a New year with out a full time Pastor. It is a challenging time for our Congregation. For some it can make us feel anxious and unsettled while others may have feelings of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.
As we move forward may we reflect on your promise from Deuteronomy that says:
““The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
Or maybe we need to draw strength from 2 Corinthians where Paul tells us
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
No Matter where we are in the gamut of emotions, challenges or life experiences may we take time to know that you God are even closer than we can imagine. Help us to take some time to reflect on the many ways we are fortunate and to be thankful for what we have. As we enter 2024 help us to be better people to those around us or those we may encounter. At Christmas we were reminded again of the hope that came to us in the birth of Jesus. Truly a remarkable story filled with mystery and suspense yet giving hope.
No matter where we are at or how we are feeling may we start off 2024 with Hope for our families, friends our Church and maybe more importantly ourselves.
We bring to you our concerns and needs as a congregation and individuals. They are as varied as the number of people in our congregation. You know the pains that some are feeling. For those that are suffering give strength to move on. We are thankful for our caregivers and for those that continually support us. Thank you for the healing you have granted some of us and for the potential healing that may be taking place.
We are also thankful for the holiday season we just came thru. A different and sometimes slower time of the year. A time where we can spend time with our families and start new memories.
We also ask that you give us strength as a congregation as we pass thru another transition here at WMC. There are many decisions to be made and we trust that you will guide us in this process.