I read a good article in Outreach Magazine from Michael Kelley. He is the author of the book Growing Down: Unlearning the Patterns of Adulthood that Keep Us from Jesus. I was reminded of this article as I am praying about how to make this year the best ever as many of you are, too. And here we are…it’s the beginning of a new year! And because we are, most of us are considering resolutions. There are the standard promises of healthier diet, more exercise, more reading, and a host of others. Chances are if you are like me, you’ve made one of these resolutions before. Maybe it worked out, and maybe it didn’t. If it didn’t work out, then perhaps you’re doubling your efforts this year. Maybe you have some kind of plan that will make this year different. And maybe, because you do, you are like me and you are repeating the same resolution you’ve done before.
As followers of Christ, there is one resolution we should indeed repeat over and over again. There is one thing we need this year as much as we did last year. Share the gospel this year. Share it with yourself and share it with others. Share it with the Christian and non-Christian, share it with the one who has believed for decades and to the one that is still considering. Share about the hope and the love and the grace and the mercy of a Savior that gave His life for even a wretch like me and you. And then, do it again. And again. And sometimes even use words. And when we’ve done it for a year, we will turn around and do it again. It is for the child and the adult, for the student and the retiree. It is for the people who are so much like us and for the people that are very different from us. The life-giving message of Jesus Christ is for everyone. This is the message we need to hear in 2024 just like we did in 2023. This is what’s most important for our forgetful hearts and lethargic souls. Make a resolution, then, but let it be a lasting one. Resolve to do the same thing you did yesterday and then to it again tomorrow. Share the gospel over and over again until faith becomes sight. I love fresh starts and new days and do-overs! I cherish the fact that God gives us each a fresh start each and every day… a new opportunity to love Jesus and share the love and hope that only comes from Him. I only need to take it one day at a time and He provides everything I need for each new day. May God bless you as you start afresh each day in this new year! I also wanted to share a gift from Millie Goode, a poem she wrote to encourage us all: Just for Today.
Thanks, Millie! Just for Today When worries seem too strong and problems last too long, When darkness smothers your hope and crushes your joy, Seek the One who lit the heavens with sun, moon, and stars, And, just for today, He will give you the strength you need. Rejoice in each new day as God’s blessing just for you; With faith accept the task that He has given you today; Assume any burden or trial He allows without doubt or fear, And, just for today, God will give you the strength you need. Worry not for what care or problem tomorrow may bring; For our Savior has felt your pain, your fear, your doubt. Arise and begin each day with a strong and abiding belief that Christ, just for today, will give you the strength you need. As the years hurry on, take each day as a sacred trust To lift up those who are troubled, have fallen or lost their way; To offer hope, build a bridge, share love not hate, give not take. And, just for today, God will give you the strength you need. The second week of Advent focuses on peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace! We pray for peace… "God of peace, as we light the second Advent candle of peace, may Your peace fill our hearts and our world. Help us to be peacemakers in our relationships and communities. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen." It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at KFUMC and Light on the Hill! HOPE… The first week of Advent and the first Sunday of Advent mark the beginning of the Advent season in the Christian liturgical calendar. Advent is a period of preparation and anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. Each of the four weeks of Advent has a specific theme, and the first week typically centers around the theme of "Hope" or "Expectation." Advent is a time for remembering and reflecting on the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us turn our hearts towards Christ as Christmas approaches. Let us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season this year and miss the chance to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love, that God sent to us on that first Christmas. Every word in scripture points to the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus! God, the Christmas story wasn’t the beginning of that message of hope because the Old Testament is full of glimpses of Your plan to redeem Your people and restore them to a relationship with You, but we are able to truly begin to see and understand just how great Your love for us is when we read the story of Jesus’ birth. That first Christmas, You gave us the gift of hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Thank you, Father, for Your immeasurable gift! HOPE AND CONNECTION—IN PRISON AND OUT Incarceration can strain family ties to the breaking point. By providing Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree allows local churches to extend the hope of the Gospel to families with loved ones in prison. In addition, Angel Tree invites congregations to integrate Angel Tree families into church activities year-round, resulting in mutually beneficial relationships that foster growth, support, and encouragement. We want to develop relationships that go beyond the Christmas season. Our church will be helping 43 families in our community this Christmas. We are able to provide the 94 children from these families with Christmas gifts, their own age-appropriate Bible in English or Spanish, and an Advent Devotional for the entire family. Thank you for supporting our church financially. It is through your tithes that we are able to support outreach ministries such as Prison Angel Tree. Please join us in covering these families in prayer. It has been said that, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This means that an entire community of people must participate in the lives of children in order for them to grow in a safe and healthy environment and be able to flourish and realize their hopes and dreams. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these children! We are so blessed to be a part of our wonderful community! Thank you to the San Antonio Food Bank and to all of the awesome unpaid servants that shared 34,000 pounds of food at the Mega Food Pantry!
Did you miss the Midweek Mission Moment from Thanksgiving week? We got you covered, please be sure to click the button below to read the fill newsletter.
Thank You H-E-B!!! Through grant funding, H-E-B gifted $2,250. worth of turkeys for us to share through our Mustard Seed Food Pantry! Again, thank you to our amazing church family and our awesome girl scouts for donations of the side dish ingredients to go with the turkeys! We were able to share Thanksgiving Baskets with 139 families in our community! Glory to God!!! Mega Food Drive - NovemberChili and Caroling-DecemberWHAT A WONDERFUL DAY AT THE HARVEST FESTIVAL!!! Thank you to everyone who came to Light on the Hill on Saturday to enjoy the amazing weather, the wonderful music, the great food, the awesome activities, and most of all, the fellowship! A huge thank you to all of the unpaid servants who made it happen! We are part of a tremendous community! Glory to God!!! Harvest Fest Picture RecapWOW! We are so blessed to be a part of a faith community that loves our neighbors so well! Thank you for your support for our Thanksgiving Food Drive! Thank you to our Veterans!Mega Food Pantry was cold and wet but all of the wonderful unpaid servants brightened everyone’s day with their love and kindness! We are grateful for the opportunity to share the love of Christ through food and smiles with 344 families (1,045 individuals) on Monday. Thank you for your support! The Harvest Festival is almost here!!! Saturday, November 4 at Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley! We have several opportunities for you to help… 1.) greeting and welcoming our community, 2.) encouraging and cheering on children as they play games, 3.) providing hospitality in our dining hall serving food and drinks, and 4.) encouraging and pointing the way for the walkers and runners for the trail fun run/walk. Please let me know if you would like to help in one of these areas! beth.palmer@kfumc.org or (830) 459-5847 Come help at the Kerr County Mega Food Pantry!
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Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley is a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 83-3263624).
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