Pastor's Reflection 2023-12-14
Rev. John Oda
Happy New Year!
As I pen this reflection, the journey of 2023 will soon be part of our history, and the dawn of 2024 summons us with promises of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and untold blessings.
Each month in 2023 was full of joys and sorrows, victories and challenges, growth and introspection. It was in those moments that we discovered the resilience of our faith and the unwavering love of our Creator.
In the coming year, my prayer for us all is that we will deepen our relationship with the Sacred. I pray that our worship will be genuine, our ministries will be healing, and our hearts will be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And this coming year is not just about our own individual spiritual journeys, we have a collective responsibility as a community of faith. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". We are bound together by a common purpose and a shared journey of ministry.
As 2023 comes to a close, there are still many challenges in the world. The violence around the world seems daunting, but no matter how dark the news look, I hope that we will remember that our faith assures us that the light of Christ shines brightly within us, lighting up the darkness around us and radiating hope to a world that sorely needs it. May this new year be a season of growth, love, and divine encounters that deepen our walk with Christ and strengthen our bonds as a faith community.
Wishing you all a blessed and joyous New Year!
Happy New Year!
As I pen this reflection, the journey of 2023 will soon be part of our history, and the dawn of 2024 summons us with promises of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and untold blessings.
Each month in 2023 was full of joys and sorrows, victories and challenges, growth and introspection. It was in those moments that we discovered the resilience of our faith and the unwavering love of our Creator.
In the coming year, my prayer for us all is that we will deepen our relationship with the Sacred. I pray that our worship will be genuine, our ministries will be healing, and our hearts will be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And this coming year is not just about our own individual spiritual journeys, we have a collective responsibility as a community of faith. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". We are bound together by a common purpose and a shared journey of ministry.
As 2023 comes to a close, there are still many challenges in the world. The violence around the world seems daunting, but no matter how dark the news look, I hope that we will remember that our faith assures us that the light of Christ shines brightly within us, lighting up the darkness around us and radiating hope to a world that sorely needs it. May this new year be a season of growth, love, and divine encounters that deepen our walk with Christ and strengthen our bonds as a faith community.
Wishing you all a blessed and joyous New Year!
Posted in Newsletter 2023-12-14