Happy New Year!

Eternal God, you have placed us in a world of space and time, and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love.  Grant that in the new year we may know your presence, see your love at work, and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever – the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Prayer for New Year’s Eve, Evangelical Lutheran Worship  

Dear Friends

We begin the New Year in ministry together.  That is a delight to me.  Thank you for the warm welcome you have given me as your temporary pastor while Pastor Kristian is on sabbatical. You may know that my mother died in November.  You may also be aware that our grandchildren live in Calgary, and that they are growing up fast.  My husband and I celebrated our 44th anniversary in December.  Where did those children go who were married so young? Every time I look in the mirror, more wrinkles show on my face.  These facts of my life make me aware that time slips away quickly. We mortals are bound by time and space.  Every positive choice we make means that we are excluding other possibilities.  There are limits to the dreams we can fulfill.  The items on our bucket lists may remain just wistful words.  But the prayer for the New Year, printed above, reminds us that we are held in the everlasting arms of grace.  The one who created, loved and redeems us is everlasting.   While we cling to him, and to the gift of his only Son, we have hope that the future stretches out before us without end.

So, as a new calendar year begins, as the finishing touches are put on our plans for the next year of ministry in this place, I pray that we will look to the future with confidence and hope.  Much will be demanded of us, I have no doubt, but we have the energy and the resources to meet the year ahead.  As we continue to gather around the Risen Lord Jesus, may we find food for our souls and clarity of vision, willingness to serve and the assurance that we are united with one another and with our Saviour.  Happy New Year to you all. 

Pastor Marty