From the Desk of Rev. Michelle,
I want to start off by expressing my deep sympathy at the passing of Vernon Green on December 24th. I ask that you keep Laurine, Brad and the rest of the Green family in your prayers as they grieve Vernon’s loss.
With New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that there will be no worship service on January 1st, however everyone is invited to attend service tomorrow evening, New Year’s Eve, at 4pm.
The closing of one year and the start of another is always a good time to reflect. What went well this year, what did you learn from the challenges you faced, what do you want to focus on this coming year that maybe was neglected in the one just past as some of the questions that come to my mind.
Approaching the New Year also shifts my focus from the stable to the Wiseman who take centre stage in the traditional Epiphany reading. These individuals travelled far and didn’t loose course because they stayed focused on the start that guided them. Our intentions or focus can make a huge difference in our journey, and have great impacts on all aspects of our lives. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to adopt a positive frame of reference for this coming year. Assume the best intentions from everyone you meet, until proven wrong. Look for the blessings/silver lining/lessons in challenges you face. Weep when you need to weep, laugh as frequently as you can, and pray for your church, your church staff and for yourself that we all receive God’s guidance and strength to follow his way! These shifts as small as they may seem are lay the path for a fruitful new year.
Together let us pray;
God, we give thanks that you hold us in this time of transition,
From the blessings and challenges of the past year,
you deliver us into something brand-new.
We do not know what the future will hold,
But we do know that you will be there, striving for us, helping us, guiding us.
In the excitement of what is to come, still us yet again,
That we may hear your call, which echoes through all time and space,
And seeks to guide us to your heart, our home. Amen.