Looking Forward to 2025,
A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked, “Is my time up?”
God said, “No, you have another 43 years, two months and eight days to live.” Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction and tummy tuck. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well look even nicer. After her Last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.
Arriving in front of God, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 40 years? Why didn’t you pull me out of the path of that ambulance?”
God replied, “I didn’t recognize you.”
Over the last year or so there have been positive changes/additions at FCC. Our building has had a face lift, among other improvements (air conditioning in fellowship hall), but don’t worry God can still recognize us, as we’ve added a weekly Bible Study, Exercise class and bi-monthly Book Club group along with all of other activities and events. And coming in August we’ll begin partnership with TLC preschool as they will make FCC their home.
As we move into 2025, I’m excited about our church’s future based on my first three years with new members, the improvements we made and the support you’ve given God’s house as an inclusive place of love, compassion, forgiveness, faith and hope for the community it serves.
A favorite nursery rhythm goes “Here’s the church and there’s the steeple.
Open the door and see all the people.” This is what makes FCC a special place, “all the people” …who invest themselves, who experience and share God and share themselves with others in this space of worship and fellowship.
I want to thank the people of FCC for making working for this church an honor and privilege. As we move into the New Year, I pray that I may continue to grow as your pastor and in relationship with you.
Blessings, Pastor Michael
- New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025
- Epiphany, January 6, 2025
- Baptism of the Lord, January 12, 2025
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2025
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2025
New Year’s Blessing
The eighth day of Christmas, the eighth day of Creation, the Next New Day, New Year’s Day.
May every day be a new year’s day for you: a chance to forgive and be forgiven, to start again. May you take courage to begin anew. …
As you let go of the year past, may you … in your free fall find yourself held by an eternal love that has come ages to be with you, and will carry you all the way to the end. …
Every day may you trust your belovedness, your freedom from having to prove yourself, and receive the grace that is given to you.
May this year be a year of grace and hope. —Steve Garnaas-Holmes, unfoldinglight.net
All about Attitude
“The way you say ‘representative’ to an automated system reflects the real you,” a friend told me. After we laughed at that truth, I realized everything I say matters. Someone is always listening, whether the words and tone are positive or negative.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says our language shouldn’t be “foul or abusive” but good, helpful and encouraging. Whether I’m peaceful, hurried, joyful, empathetic, frustrated, celebrating or hurting, I can carefully choose my words (and the attitude behind them). When I’m not ready to speak wholesomely, may God shut my mouth. When a friend needs encouragement, may I listen to God’s prompting. When I need to confront, may I do so lovingly.
Changing how we think — that is, how we speak to ourselves — can be tough. But God wants to transform our reactions and motives, dispelling pride, a lack of confidence and anxiety. In this new year:
- I’m alone can become God is with me.
- I can’t do this can become Anything is possible with God.
- I’m failing can become Just because I’m struggling, it doesn’t mean I’m failing.
- I’m not enough can become I’m God’s beloved child.
- I’m tired can become God will give me rest.
Don’t stop there. Consider the concerns in your heart and let God give you new words and attitudes.
When life gets out of control
In September 2024, a North Dakota teen’s car malfunctioned, becoming unstoppable and reaching 113 miles per hour. For 40 minutes, 18-year-old Sam navigated a bridge into Minnesota, intersections with train tracks and highways, small towns and — almost — the road’s dead end.
But after Sam called his mom and 911, multiple first responders gathered. Police drove near him, staying on the phone and calmly asking about the accelerator, emergency brake and remaining gas. Ambulance crews were ready. The highway patrol laid speed sticks to puncture the tires (it didn’t work) and cleared intersections ahead of the runaway vehicle. All the while, Sam’s mom prayed. Finally, an officer sped ahead so Sam could run into his squad car, bringing his own to a halt.
Not making light of what could have turned tragic, sometimes our lives get out of control too. We speed through work, school, relationships, parenting — trying to accomplish, achieve and gain faster than others. We cram as much in each day as possible, seemingly unable to slow down. The harried pace can endanger our physical, mental and spiritual health.
Often, we’re “saved” only as people who care come alongside us to help. Perhaps family members express concern, professionals suggest remedies, loved ones pray for us. Finally, when all we can do is crash into the loving care of God, we come to rest. It may take time to recover emotionally, to dare get back “behind the wheel,” to trust life to carry us at a safe speed again. But thanks be to God for placing support systems around us when we need them most. —Heidi Hyland Mann
God in Church or Nature? Yes.
Church isn’t designed to be an alternative to the real world. Worship is a time and space apart from the world in order for us to find our way out into the world. Worship isn’t a man-made place distinct from the beauty of the natural world; at its best, church is a place where we realize God’s glory in the world we find ourselves in. … Do I find God in a church? or out in nature? Yes. … In church I hope to sharpen my senses so I can discover the house of God everywhere. —James C. Howell, Everywhere Is Jerusalem
