“A true follower of Jesus never becomes accustomed to the sound of footsteps headed for hell.”
Happy New Year! I hope your year has started off well. I find myself thinking about 2025 in a different light than previous years. As I sat down to write this Epistle (special letter), my mind ran ahead to the first Epistle in January 2025. What joys, concerns, or news might be written there?
2025 is likely to be a decisive year. Because of that we will hold a congregational meeting after worship. Our presentation is intended to share a synopsis of our church’s situation and some of the strategies for 2025. Your questions and input will be sought. In retrospect, I feel that when I made the first announcement about our meeting may have come across as a “regular ‘ol announcement”, ho hum. Forgive me.
This time is imperative. I shared two weeks ago that my prayerful hope is that we “Thrive in ‘25”. But, at this point I must say that it is possible that we “Dive in ‘25”. There are numerous factors in play. Most of which we at least have a choice. Our choices must not only be in faith-filled direction, but we must also follow them with determined action. Like no year for decades, we must live into our vows of membership to uphold our body with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
One of the strategies was to invite Tom Fuller to come and share with us about Class Meetings and Bands, the small groups that helped facilitate the Methodist movement Sunday he will in a very creative and meaningful way share the story of the “other Wesley”, Charles. This will not be a trip down memory lane. We will not only be given transformative information, we can experience the Spirit of God. Determine to be present.
For many weeks I have included a statement at the bottom of the Epistle written by the old saint, Charles Spurgeon. It reads, “A church that neglects prayer becomes disunited, scattered, lethargic, all but dead.” I urge you to assault heaven with your prayers!
Pray the Holy Spirit prepares Tom to share what we need to hear. Pray the Holy Spirit prepares us to receive from Him. Pray the Holy Spirit uses the weekend to touch our minds and especially our hearts! Pray that the Holy Spirit will set us aflame to be His light in our community. Please, pray that we, you and I, may Love ,Follow , and Serve Jesus, we will thrive in ’25!
Loving you in Jesus!
Pastor Brian
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