Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
Did you know that this Sunday begins the new liturgical church year? I hope you brought the sparklers, loud noise thingies, party hats, and age appropriate beverages. Are you going to stay up all Saturday night so you can scream at 12:00 AM on December 3rd, “Happy New Church Year!!!”?
Am I the only one getting psyched for this? Other than the change to the color blue did you think you’d notice it was a new year? So maybe you are and maybe you aren’t. Either way, here is a text to start or continue your new church year cheer: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:3-7 NRSV) In the midst of a new church year let’s give God some praise and glory for the new birth we have received through Jesus Christ. New Year’s is usually a time of hope and anticipation for what we will do in the new year. It is a time where we plan how we will better ourselves. Maybe for this church new year you can find a little extra something you could do to honor and praise that indestructible inheritance of salvation you have received. And maybe, unlike most New Year’s resolutions, there will be some follow through on expanding your faith practices. ;-) Ponder Points: 1. If you could do one thing (great or small) to enhance your faith life what would it be? 2. What's it going to take to start this one thing? 3. Try it! God's blessings on your new church year!
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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