Pastor Mike’s Meditations

Gratitude & Going Forward

January 2021

One of the questions I have been pondering, despite the enormous and intense struggles that 2020 brought, is, "What is one thing that you are thankful to God for?" It could be the increased time at home that pandemic gave with family. Perhaps it was increased devotional time, as a result of our stay at home order, that enabled you to enter into spiritual disciplines more regularly. Perhaps, because of the inability to gather for worship and other activities at church, you are more grateful than ever for your church family.
As we enter 2021 with hopes that this year will be different and bring a restoration of many of the rhythms that made life significant pre-covid, there may also be gifts that this past year brought that you may want to integrate into your life in an ongoing way. As Tim Grebe encouraged us to consider this past Sunday, you may want to develop some spiritual goals or an action plan that can guide you going forward. Reading through the Bible in a year, or deciding to read the Old or New Testament could ground you in God’s Word in a greater way. Entering into a Mentoring Relationship or connecting with a Growth Group, when we can’t gather in larger numbers, could encourage your growth. Choosing someone to reach out to in Christ-like care or share your faith with could add an outward component to your relationship with Christ.
In addition to these types of spiritual practices, one thing we can say for certain, is that 2020 brought home the value and priority of relationships. In times of isolation, we recognize our human need for connection. When our ability to connect with others is diminished or a relationship is ruptured through conflict or division, life loses some of its’ significance. Within our own families, marriage and parenting relationships have been challenged by stay at home orders, economic downturn, and distance learning. Relationships with extended family have also faced the strain of political differences or different perspectives on how we gather. We also know that all we faced in our society has placed a significant strain on church communities like ours. Different views on how we should gather for worship, how we stay connected in smaller groups or care relationships, and what leadership should look like in this unprecedented season of life and ministry have impacted participation in our church community. The changes and transitions we have faced have been difficult and this can make it challenging to see the way forward.
The question is, how can we respond in positive ways to these challenges in light of God’s will? What does God want each of us and our church to become? Knowing God’s desire for healing and relational reconciliation, we are dedicating our first worship services in 2021, on Sunday January 3rd to the celebration of Communion and Connection. As a Service of Healing and Reconciliation, we will reflect on how we can overcome the divisions we have experienced in our society and as a church in 2020, in order to reconnect with Christ and one another. The message, testimony, and celebration of communion will encourage reconnection with Christ and one another. Building upon this focus, on January 10th we will begin a new sermon series entitled Journey with Joseph which will look at the lessons we can learn from the Old Testament character of Joseph. What we will see is that God has the power to redeem life’s greatest hurts and hardships, bringing good out of them if we allow him too. So I encourage you to make participating in our live-stream worship services part of your spiritual rhythm or action plan for 2021, even as we anticipate gathering back together in person in the near future.

With You on the Journey,
Pastor Mike