What Story Will 2024 Tell?
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.”
-Lamentations 3:22-24 (NRSV)
It’s not often we quote Lamentations, but it felt appropriate.
If you’ve never read it, Lamentations is a 5 chapter poem lamenting the downfall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians in 586 BCE. But sprinkled throughout the gory details and gnashing of teeth are hopeful moments of reflection, such as the portion from 3:22-24. Read in collaboration with the rest of the prophetic texts, Lamentations is part of the story where the Israelites come to realize how much better it is when we live for the LORD and not for our own self-satisfaction.
That’s why it felt appropriate.
Over the last 2 months of 2023 I had conversations with more than one lay leader about how proud we were that so many at Creekwood have stepped up to help with their time, talent, and treasure during a difficult 18 months – but really 3 years. In the last 2 months especially, we saw moments such as during the Choir Christmas Concert where we needed ushers and more people than were needed sprang up without thought. We saw over 100 people give their time during “Give Back Days.” We saw a Student Ministry grow to its largest size in a decade without a dedicated student minister, because of great volunteers.
What these conversations were actually about was how much better of a church we are BECAUSE we had to step up in the midst of absence and hardship. Because we remembered that the Lord has new mercies for us every morning, and I have never seen Creekwood so alive spiritually.
That’s the story we’re taking into 2024. The one that echoes Jesus’ promise that “With God everything is possible.” The story that Moses and Joshua tell the wandering Hebrews, that the Promised Land is within reach. The story that Paul tells his churches, that “God is completing in you a good work.” 2024 is a year we are making changes to become a better church for the long run; so we can invest in what really matters. 2024 is when we’ll be wise and prudent, but also faithful and forward-thinking.
I will invite you to read more in our Narrative Budget that outlines what our financial need is, what it accomplishes, and how you can help make ministry and miracles happen.
After you peruse through the Narrative Budget, prayerfully consider what your financial estimate of giving is going to be for 2024. Pledge cards will be available, along with 2023 giving statements on January 14 in worship, and will be mailed to those who don’t pick theirs up that day. But you may go ahead and pledge online now if you feel so led (instructions via video below).
We request that pledge information be turned in by or on Sunday, February 4 during our one-church worship at 11am – followed by a Chili Cook Off at noon. There will be no 8:30am worship that day, but there will be Sunday school at 9:45am before our combined all-church worship at 11am.
Peace,
David Lessner
