January 2021

From the Pastor’s Pen

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We have turned the page on the calendar and are now confronted with what many are hoping will be a better year than 2020.  

Although New Year’s celebrations and resolutions can seem like a lot of hype, I must admit there is contained within the turn of the calendar a promise of hope.  There is an expectation for what may be called a do-over,   a re-start, a new beginning.

Our United Methodist hymnal contains the song “This is the Day of New Beginnings” written by Brian Wren and Carlton Young,  The hymn seems to capture what many of us are feeling as we end this year of the Covid Pandemic and start a new year.  It reads: 

This is the day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

The calendar’s page turn does not end the pandemic’s continued impact on our lives or alleviate the sorrow for the loss of loved ones, ease financial concerns or heal health issues.  Our strength to face the future comes from feeling the deep comfort of our Savior’s calming presence, for we know who holds us close and walks with us through all trials and tribulations.

For by the life and death of Jesus, God’s mighty Spirit, now as then can make for us a world of difference, as faith and hope are born again.

Christ is alive, and goes before us, to show and share what love can do.  This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
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May today indeed be a day of new beginnings for you, days of peace, comfort and quiet joy as we step out in faith into a new year of promise.
 
In Gentleness and peace,
Pastor Sue
 
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