A PERSONAL PRAYER
God of New Beginnings,
You know how I love that old hymn, “Rise Up, O Men of God. Have done with lesser things.” I am ready to be done with lesser things. Time to turn the page. Time for a fresh start, new energy, renewed commitment.
It is time to quit…
…nursing old grudges
…feeding old anxieties
…practicing old vices
…enabling old dependencies
…repeating old sins.
And it is time to start…
…believing new hopes
…living new lifestyles
…dreaming new visions
…building new coalitions
…making new friends
…claiming new opportunities
…seeing new miracles.
Help me begin again, God.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
Christmas Eve Appreciation
What a joy it was to be with all of you on Christmas Eve. Not that anyone is counting, but just short of 8,000 people came through our doors to worship this year, well over the 6200 or so in 2016. I love seeing families come through to receive communion together. I love watching the young people come jangling in as angels, or march up the aisle as shepherds and wise men, and even the holy family itself. I love the sense of joy there is in the day. Thank you all for making St. Luke’s family your church family, as we work to share God’s love with a world looking for something they can believe in, something they can count on, something that is real.
A special thank you to all the people who work so hard to make it all happen. Our great staff, housekeeping team, child care workers, and volunteers as ushers, greeters, choir members, children’s pageant supervisors, finance volunteers, costume designers, communion stewards, TV and media team members, and so much more. It is so exciting to be a part of a team of folks all working side by side toward the same end. I am more than grateful!
End of Year Giving
One of the acts of faith I claim every year is to believe we will receive all the contributions we need to finish the calendar year with “in the black.” I know that seems very nitty grittyish (my own word), but we receive such a huge portion of our giving the last week of the year that we have to just step out in faith and believe the great people of St. Luke’s will be generous, just as they have always been. There are several options which will insure that your giving qualifies as a 2017 donation with the IRS. Visit https://stlukesmethodist.org/Give/#year-end-giving to learn more. And thank you, as always, for your generosity.
Sermon Series: Getting through the Storms
Hurricane Harvey hit many of us pretty hard. Storms can wreak havoc on our homes and our city. But the greatest storms we face are usually not brought on by the weather. Rather, they are the challenges that come with life, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Beginning January 14, I will be preaching a sermon series entitled “Getting Through The Storms.” On successive weeks, we will focus on the storms of betrayal, grief, guilt and shame, illness, and addiction. We will talk about what Scripture teaches us about them, and how we can make it through the storm to the sunshine on the other side. We would love to have you join us, and invite folks you know who might find this conversation helpful.
PRAYER CALENDAR
Sunday, December 31
Heavenly Father, another year has passed by so quickly. So many things have happened this year, good times and hard times. Thank you for all of the celebrations of this year, and thank you for holding us during the storms of life. God, we ask that you would continue to guide us, protect us, and bless us in the new year. Be at work in us and through us in amazing ways to do amazing things in your name for your glory. Amen.
Monday, January 1
Beloved Father, as we begin 2018, bring us a renewed heart of love for your purposes. Re-center our focus on you and forgive us for the ways that we have gone astray in the previous year. Jesus redeem us and use us for your great works in the coming year; we trust in your grace and walk in your love. Amen. -Prayer by Rev. Thomas Harper
Tuesday, January 2
Dear Father, please help us to start this new year with courage, enthusiasm, faith, and thankfulness. Transform us to be more like you, oh Lord! May we depend on the transforming power of your Holy Spirit to be our guide. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, January 3
Kind Heavenly Father, Thank you for your awesome grace and the many wonderful blessings you bestow on your children. But most of all, thank you for your precious son, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior who died on the cross so that I might have salvation. Help me to live my life to your glory. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Thursday, January 4
Heavenly Father, in this New Year grant us your presence, protection and guidance as we embrace the new eternal life we choose to receive through the earthly birth of your Holy Son. Amen. -Prayer by Marsha Rose
Friday, January 5
Heavenly Father, Increase in me a sense of humor that is the wine of hope. Help me lift the spirits of the discouraged, with holy and healing laughter, kindness and love. In Jesus name, Amen! -Prayer by Laurie Williamson
Saturday, January 6
Dear loving and gracious God, we give thanks for your unending patience with us. Though our intentions may be worthy, we continually, in our thoughts and deeds, fall short from the example that your son has shown us. Your love and forgiveness is boundless. We thank you for your mercies and ask for your continued guidance in our lives. Fill our hearts with an outpouring of love and forgiveness to our friends and family members. Amen.
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