Each
new year we look forward to a time of new beginnings, new challenges, new
experiences, and blessings. Each new year we commit to renewing old
contracts with ourselves – I’ll exercise regularly; I’ll pray more diligently;
I’ll be more forgiving; I’ll improve my relationship with loved ones; I’ll read
the Bible more; I’ll…. While our heart is often in the right place, we
find that life gets in our way (yet again) and our intent of new beginnings
fades like it has so often in the past.
I
find myself falling into this pattern all too often. How thankful I am
that God’s commitment is nothing like my own. Kimberly Dunnam Reisman
once said, “God does not wait for us to have our spiritual acts together
before reaching out to us and seeking relationship with us. This should
be a point of great relief and freedom for us,… our relationship with God is
not dependent on our success. God’s love will remain steadfast
regardless.”
I
am so very thankful for God’s faith and commitment to me, to us, and to this
church.
In
our new year together, I believe we’ll see the mission and ministries at
Franksville UMC continue to grow and flourish. Our leadership team
continues to meet in quarterly retreats, setting actions to vision and vision
to prayerful consideration of who God wants us to be as a church. We
continue to reach out in local mission to HALO, Oxford House, our local
schools, and local families. We continue to reach out to sisters and
brothers outside the country – like the Mabe Orphanage. The families of
our church come together for worship, song, prayer, fellowship, Bible studies,
women’s study groups, men’s groups, children’s events, Family Fusion, community
events, fund raising and so much more.
It’s
amazing how much happens here and almost every bit of it through volunteer
hours! Your sharing of talents, gifts, prayers, leadership, and
commitment is vital to a healthy and growing church. Here are three
indicators that we are indeed getting healthy and growing in Christ.
1)
23
new members were added this last year – through profession of faith or
confirmation.
2)
From
January through November (2013) our average Sunday attendance has increased by almost 4%.
3)
Our
steward pledges for 2014 have increased approximately 35% from 2013.
These
are all wonderful indicators that help show vitality and growth and are
indicative of our hearts desiring to be in relationship with God and one
another. I look forward to this new year with you and give thanks for all
you do and all you are in Christ.
