“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that
your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We embark on a new year (can you believe it is almost 2025?) wondering what will come upon us, as individuals, a church and as a nation. Every year we make resolutions only to break them. Every year we gather together with our friends to “celebrate” the end of the year that has been and look forward to the year that is to come. Every year we are amazed at how quickly the last year passed by us. Are we ready for all the “every year” things again? Maybe? Maybe not?
Maybe, just maybe, we need to ask, “Is the ‘every year’ stuff good enough?” I would guess that it isn’t. We promise ourselves things and then we get discouraged because we don’t follow through. Those changes that truly could make a difference for us go by the wayside and our old habits seem to creep in. You might be asking, “Where do I begin this year?” Well, do I have an idea for you. Start with God and not yourself. Ask, “God, what is it that you would like of me this year?” There might be a different answer OR resolution that makes it way into 2025.
Paul writes that we need to “stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” As individuals and a congregation we need to follow Paul’s admonishment to the Corinthians. If we remember Paul’s words and keep them in mind Bethel’s resolution to begin 2025 should be “Standing firm and Committed to Christ”!
Let’s begin this year with PRAYER! It is a great way to start. Bob Crossman writes, “There are times I step out of the puddle and into the ocean.” Too often we don’t even wade into a puddle with prayer. Too often our prayers are surface prayers and not the prayers that help as we dive deep into the ocean of life. So, make a step to deepen your PRAYER LIFE. From there let’s all learn more and grow in reading the BIBLE, participating in WORSHIP, becoming a WITNESS, stretch in GIVING FINANCIALLY to God and seeing how our HAND’S ON SERVING makes a difference as well. I pray all of us will step out and participate more!!!
Our Annual Meeting is on January 26. Please know you are part and parcel of God’s ministry at Bethel Lutheran. Be a part of the decisions and solutions as we choose to serve Christ. The Annual Meeting follows worship on that day. REMEMBER you are vital to the mission and ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church, “because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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