Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Wow, 2020 already! Does that blow you away as much as it does me? As a child, I remember thinking a lot about the “far flung future” of the year 2000. But somehow I never really gave much thought to 2020. I guess I didn’t think I’d every live to be this “old.” But now, here we are!
As I look back, 2019 has been a hard year in some ways. It’s a year that has seen grief, as we had to say goodbye to my father and dear to friends from Rockport such as Peggy and Ed. There have been struggles and prayers and tears for many of our families! But there has also been joy as we have welcomed new babies into our lives (including our first granddaughter, Talia) and rejoiced in the celebration of weddings (with more to come). But I guess such could be said of any year. There will be joys and there will be sorrows, but Christ still reigns over all!

This year, as we head into 2020, we want to make it our goal to be intentional about putting Christ first in our minds and hearts. One way we do that is by prioritizing the reading of God’s word and then responding in prayer. By reading the word daily we hear from God to learn Who He is, what he’s like and what he requires of us. His word strengthens our faith, comforts us in sorrow and instructs us in what we must know to walk with Him. We then respond to that word in prayer, turning to God by repentance, crying out to Him with our needs, confessing our sins and affirming our faith. These things are essential for our lives. They are the basis upon which we grow in grace.

To help us in that task this year, we will be using the New City Catechism in our devotions and in worship. You can find the catechism online, in your app store, or by picking up a copy in the foyer. I pray you will use it with joy!

Growing in grace as we trust Christ for a new year!

Pastor Scott