When November comes around, stewardship is the topic that is often spoken of in many churches. Churches will have their pledge campaign for the year 2026 in full swing during this month. It is said that there is a drop in attendance in most churches since money is the main topic of discussion from the pulpit. I have often heard many say that the reason they don’t go to church is because they always and often ask for money. There is no reason to see stewardship in this manner.

From the beginning of creation, stewardship is a central theme in scripture. In Genesis chapter 1 after the creation of human beings, these are the words of God, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28). The words “subdue and rule” in this verse has long been debated within theological circles about our relationship to God’s beautiful creation. Our job as stewards is to care for creation instead of exploiting them. This is the first thing that I want to leave with you, as stewards, we are not the owners, God is. The Psalmist says it even better, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1). It serves as a gentle reminder for believers to live with humility, gratitude, and responsibility for the world God created.

Stewardship is not only about money (but it is also about our wealth especially money). I am fond of the Wesleyan principle towards stewardship – EARN all you can, SAVE all you can and GIVE all you can. Stewardship was a consistent theme in John Wesley’s preaching and revival. I think he got this from Jesus himself who said a lot about money than anything else. For Wesley, stewardship was central to Christian discipleship. For him, the change of heart meant a change in the way we use our wallet or purse. To love God and to love our neighbor is so central to all of scripture and giving or stewardship of money is an expression of that love.

While reading through the epistles one morning as part of my daily devotions, I noticed the words of Peter to the church scattered in Asia, especially on the theme of stewardship. This is what he says: Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1Peter 4:10-12). Stewardship extends beyond taking care of God’s good earth and even our responsibilities with money. It has to do with sharing of our God given gifts of resources for the care of our neighbor. Simply said that we are recipients of God’s grace and the purpose is to extend that same grace to others.

As you journey through the month of November, think about the stewardship not so much of the resources but of your words as a means of God’s grace. Make it a point to speak words that will build others. Words spoken with great care can serve to build one’s identity. Hear the words of the Savior: You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. They are not commands but a gentle reminder of who we really are. Finally, remember, mean and derogatory words have no place in the kingdom.

Gratefully yours,

October is known for a few things, here are some to think about: the transition from the summer heat to the crisp and cooler air of Fall, the change of color on the trees, the pumpkin in the front porches of many homes, the pumpkin spice lattes at your local coffee store and the life size figures of skeletons and ghosts on the front lawns of homes in preparation to celebrate Halloween (All Hallows Eve). To sum it up, October is known for change.

Keeping with this theme of change, the Apostle Paul urges us not to just be changed but to be transformed. In Romans 12:1-2, he writes, I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be CONFORMED to this age, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Two words stand out for me as I read this passage, and I have uppercased them for our reflection as we begin October.

This is how Oxford English dictionary defines conform: (of a person) behave according to socially
acceptable conventions or standards; to be similar in form or type. Being conformed is not necessarily a
bad thing because we need it especially when following safety laws. Excessive conforming to the practices
without critical thinking can suppress individuality, lead to groupthink and poor decision-making. To be
conformed to the standards is the easy way out of living our lives and to stand out is often difficult. When we or our children “stand out” in the crowd, we are often ridiculed, called by all sorts of names and so to avoid embarrassment we quickly conform to the standards and conventions. The Apostle will say to us that conforming is not the way of the Kingdom of God.

The word transformed, on the other hand, has its roots in the word metamorphosis. The
transformation of a caterpillar into the butterfly is the type of transformation that the Apostle is talking
about. The same word is used in Greek when Jesus transfigures before his disciples on the mountain top –
his whole form changed. A career change, giving up a habit, moving to another country and overcoming
deep seated fears are some examples of transformations that can occur in our life but the Apostle is
calling us for a deep-seated change in the way we live our Christian life.

And so, the Apostle Paul urges the church in Rome not to conform to the patterns of the world around
them but to be transformed in their mind. As one scholar points out that the transformation of the mind
must be the starting point since it affects all areas of our lives. The change in brain activity can lead to
change in every area of our lives. In his letter to the church in Philippi, he will encourage the believers to
have the “same mind” that was in Christ Jesus. Transformation, for the Apostle, must be a mind activity, which then leads to a change in our ethical behavior.

This is what I want to offer you as you start a new month, do not let the transformation of your mind
or non-conformation to the ways of the world be a REQUIREMENT as if it is needed to be accepted by
God instead may it be a RESPONSE to what God has already accomplished for us in Christ Jesus. Go back
to the verse and look at what the Apostle says, on the basis of God’s mercy, offer your lives as a living
sacrifice and be transformed. God has acted first and so in gratitude offer your lives as a living sacrifice.
God in Christ has accepted you unconditionally and invites you to live a worshipful life that glorifies God
in all that you do. Live joyfully, live gratefully, and live with humility seeking God’s help daily that honors
Him. May you be encouraged to embrace the transformation that God offers as you
journey through the month of October.

In HIS care,

Summer is over and we stand at the threshold of another new school year for the children, a new semester for the young adults entering college or returning students and a new way of living and managing schedules for all of us. The scripture is filled with new beginnings and God’s role in it. I want to suggest a few scripture portions that will encourage us in our walk beginning this September. Let not the familiarity of these verses distract you. It is worth repeating, remembering, and “hiding it in our hearts.”

My favorite is from Psalm 121:3-4

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Every pilgrim who begins their journey will be reminded by the priest of God’s unfailing presence in their travel. Loose stones along the path are inevitable but God will hold them off from falling and hurting. This picture of God guarding the pilgrim is both literal and metaphorical and may it be so for us as well.

Here is another one, Lamentations 3: 22-23

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 prophet having painted a picture of gloom and destruction for the first two chapters, suddenly paints a picture of hope and comfort. This is often how God works in our lives. When we see only loss and destruction, God sees hope amid the rubble. This was the promise that I received as I stood in chapel at the beginning on my graduate studies. The verse of the famous hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, provided me the assurance of God’s presence – All that I have needed His hand has provided…

Jacob is one of my favorite characters in scripture. The night before he is to meet with his brother Esau, Jacob wrestles with God. In the end he wants to know the name of that wrestler. Instead, the wrestler gives him a new name.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Exodus 32:28

The passage is a simple reminder that our God is a God of second chances. When all is lost, God comes thru for us. God is all for new beginnings and second chances and may you bask in that thought as you enter another new year.

The Apostle Paul at the end of his journey and while in prison exhorts his readers to not be anxious when he has every reason to be anxious.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Our lives are filled with worries and anxious thoughts, and some are genuine reasons for worry. The promise of scripture is God’s abiding peace in the midst of it. I pray that you will add your favorite verse to this list and commit them to memory. May they become your companion on this journey in this new year. Blessings on your family as you journey thru the month of September and beyond.

In His Care,

My apologies for continuing to speak and write about the life of Nehemiah. Some people make a “lasting impression”on our lives and that’s who Nehemiah has been for me. Talking to a friend yesterday I mentioned to him about reading Nehemiah for the retreat quiz and he had a “boat load” to say about him. This friend was simply fascinated by the management skills of Nehemiah who exemplified some of the finest qualities of a modern-day CEO. Nehemiah, he said, knew how to divide a huge building project into manageable units. My friend went on and on with his description of Nehemiah. There was no end to our conversation about the life and witness of Nehemiah.

There is something that I said during the first of the month worship on July 1st about Nehemiah as someone who was not a priest or Levite, but someone who held a secular job and used his position and influence, as the cup bearer for the king, for kingdom’s purposes. He took some time to pray; scholars say about 4 months before he approached the king with the plan. This thought has been on my mind ever since I discovered it while researching for the sermon. How can we use our positions, situations, and jobs for the purpose of God’s kingdom? I am not talking about going from desk to desk to speak to people about God. Are there ways we can witness and sometimes use our skills for God’s kingdom?

The Bible is replete with examples of people who stood in the gap for the cause of the kingdom. Queen Esther is another fine example of an ordinary teenager who rose to the position of a queen and helped with thwarting the evil schemes of Haman. When you come to the New Testament, Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, who used her business and gifts to extend God’s kingdom. She probably opened her home for the church to have their weekly meetings. She must have extended her hospitality to the neighbors in her community to become a part of the fellowship. I don’t think this model has stopped with the New Testament, instead, it has shown up in different places. This is also the idea for the missional church model. In the missional model, the places where we live, work, and leisure become a place to bear witness to God. We don’t necessarily bring our neighbors to church but take God to the places where we spend the entire week.

Except for me, many of you hold secular jobs. Some of you leave home early to get to trains and buses to get to work while others with your coffee in hand work from home. The work you do is God’s gift to you and the Apostle Paul mentions that we must do everything “as unto the Lord.” There will be times when you will be strategically placed and be given the opportunity to use your position to influence for the kingdom’s cause. When that happens do not shy away instead pray that God will use you for His name’s sake.

In the meantime, the first thing is to recognize your work as God’s purpose on the earth. Many of us live compartmentalized lives as if what we do at work as secular and what we do in church as sacred instead see your work as God’s purpose on the earth. The work that you do diligently and sincerely can bear witness to the God whom you worship. There is a lot we can say but let me stop here and leave you to figure out ways that you can be a part of God’s kingdom.

It is my prayer that as you journey through the month of July that you will pray about it and have God show you opportunities to bear witness to His name. A time will come when the positions you hold will be called to be used for God’s kingdoms purposes.

Be the witness

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 14 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Lament Psalms is the largest category or groupings within the 150 Psalms found in the Old Testament. Scholars consider 65 of them to be Psalms of Lament, which is almost 45 percent of the complete collection of Psalms. Lament can be both individuals well as communal. Lament is not necessarily moaning or grumbling before God even though it sounds that way. In fact, one can notice a pattern in these lament Psalms. Here are the 4 to 5 stages that are expressed in a Psalm of Lament:

• In the first few lines, the Psalmist will bring TO ATTENTION to God about the situation that he/she is experiencing.

• There will be a FORMAL COMPLAINT by the Psalmist to God about the situation. This is not due to lack of faith, in fact, it is faith at its best.

• In the third stage, the Psalmist will make a PLEA FOR HELP and that to God

• What follows this stage is unique. The Psalmist will express some sort of CONFIDENCE in God and that God will come to his rescue when everything else has failed. This confidence happens, as some scholars say, due to lapse of time. In fact, for me, this is the stage that fascinates me every time I read a lament Psalm

• Finally, the Psalmist will make a VOW to God and that he will talk about this in the congregation of the faithful. This is not the place where the psalmist is bargaining with God instead, he is confident that God will come through for him.

In moments of loss or grief of any kind whether it is a loss of job or relationships or life, the lament psalms prove to be a great resource to speak to God. I think with the recent disruption in the life of the grieving family and the church community, we need to engage the lament psalms to find hope.

Lament psalms are an invitation to grieve well for the loss that we are experiencing. Grieving, in my view, for any loss is God’s greatest gift to His people. Grieving is not a sign of hopelessness but a confidence and trust in the God who hears us and delivers us. If anyone says that grieving is antithetical to the Christian faith, it is important on our part to not to engage in such conversations.

Our world was turned upside down with the prolonged hospitalization of our loved one. We experienced glimpses of hope and that kept us going. We prayed earnestly like the Psalmist. We complained, we pleaded for help and in the end, God moved us to a place where we can rest in God’s goodness. We may not have all the answers to the questions but in due time, God will bring us to that place of rest and comfort.

This is what we can do during times like this. Pray for the family that is grieving. As you have done before, continue even now to walk alongside with this family. Extend your ministry of presence and be with them in their grieving process. For your part, grieve well over the loss that you are feeling. Ignoring such feelings can be lead us to grave consequences. Remember, grieving is God’s gift to us.

There is good news in scripture for all of us who are grieving. This good news came to us in Emmanuel – God with us. We do not worship a God who is far removed from us but One who ‘became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.’ In short, we have among us a God who grieves with us in our pain. This good news extends even further than His promised presence with us. He will not let us stay in our state of grief instead will move us to a place where we can experience His comfort and care.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Lent has come and gone, and we had a great time reading the Word of God together (during Lenten meditations); however, the discipline to read and study God’s word is never seasonal. If we are to grow as a church in worship, fellowship, and outreach, we must take the reading and studying God’s word seriously. This is what the scripture says about the early church in Acts 2: 42-43, “they DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”

We have been faithful in our task of devoting ourselves in prayer during the weekdays. I am grateful for the time you give to pray for the families, the ministries of the church and the communities that we are a part of. Prayer is integral to the life of the church but there is more to the overall health of the church. Acts of the Apostles mentions that the early church devoted themselves to “apostles’ teaching,” which directed studying and dwelling deeply on the word of God.

“The word devoted in Greek is “Proskartereō, meaning “to remain strong, to endure,” with an extra emphasis on the time element involved.” It is doing that one task over a period. It is about consistency and perseverance. This Greek word can be divided into 2 parts, Kartereo is being steadfast, and by adding Pros, it provides the time element. “It describes more than just a momentary push in a crisis; it portrays the kind of strength that is ready for action over the long haul.” And that’s what the early church did, and that’s exactly what the church today must do if we are to become a living witness in the world.

There is a very interesting Bible study series developed and facilitated by the Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah with this title, Overcomer. This study is based on Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. In chapter 6, the apostle talks about putting on the armor of God. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In this Overcomer study guide, David Jeremiah uses Paul’s description of spiritual armor as an outline for exploring the Christian’s call to be an overcomer. This is not a technical description of Roman armor, but an applicational study of what it means to stand firm and overcome sin, the world, and the evil one. When we “put on” Christ, we are putting on all the spiritual armor we need not only to stand, but to overcome!

We can meet every Wednesday or Thursday during the week via zoom or in person and engage in a deep study of this theme. I believe God will do greater things as we devote ourselves to drinking deep from the Word of God. Let’s not be seasonal in our study of the Word but be consistent and persistent. Consider this as an invitation to Feasting on the Word.

In Christ,

My favorite season in the church’s liturgical calendar is the season leading to Easter, especially the last three days prior to Easter Sunday. I have such wonderful memories of this season. In Latin it is called Easter Triduum, meaning “Three Days.” The Triduum includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil or Holy Saturday. Many traditions include the Easter Sunday service as part of the Triduum.

My remembrance of Maundy Thursday is my Confirmation. My older brother, me, and a few others from the church were confirmed on this night. It felt special because this was the night that Jesus spent the last few hours with his friends. It is as if we were part of this most scared meal of Jesus with his closest friends. This is the night Jesus gave his disciples the new mandate – love one another even as I have loved you. The “new mandate” is where we get the word Maundy. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum” meaning “command” or “commandment.” Jesus’s teaching to love unconditionally comes at a time when his friend Judas would betray him and his closest companion, Peter, would deny him and all others desert him. It is easy for us to love people who are kind to us but what do we do with friends who are rude and unfriendly to us. This is the one thing that Jesus taught his disciples beginning with the Sermon on the Mount – to love the enemy among us. I pray that you will think about this as you participate in that service on Maundy Thursday.

We listened to some good sermons on Good Friday. I still remember the pastor, Rev. Peter Miller at St. George’s Cathedral preaching all the 7 words of Jesus from the Cross. His heart was for social justice and peace in the world. Every sermon had a call to action for us to do something about the words of Christ. I believe every sermon must have a call to action but on this day, it is even more significant. When I look around the things that are happening, it seems like we are on Good Friday vibes.

Easter (Saturday) Vigil is not something that is significant in the Protestant church. In the first century Christian church, Saturday Vigil is a time when members seeking baptism and confirmation are invited to the altar for this most sacred ritual. Lent is often seen as a time of preparation of the Catechumens (a Christian convert under instruction before baptism). Easter Vigil in some context is called Holy Saturday. It is meant to be a quiet day, remembering the empty space, the silence that was present for the disciples of Jesus after his death and before his resurrection. They did not expect the resurrection and so were left in a place of grief.

I remember being a sponsor for a young person in my youth group who was preparing to be baptized on Easter Vigil. Baptismal services (for me) are significant because we not only hear the public confession of the person being baptized but we are called to remember our own baptismal covenant.

Our tendency is to rush to Easter after Palm Sunday service without going through the motions of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. There is beauty in preparing, in waiting, in confessing, and renewing our own covenants and commitments. So, this year as you come to the Easter Triduum, don’t rush, take your time to prepare, seek the presence of the Holy Spirit to help you participate in the last few moments of the Lord Jesus on the earth. And when you have done this, your Easter will be the most meaningful time of your life.

Blessings on your journey toward Easter,

Journey is one of my favorite metaphors that describes life in general, our Christian Walk, and the lifecycle of a church. This metaphor is rich in its imagery. The one that is simple and yet profound is that in this journey there is a beginning and a destination. It really doesn’t matter where we begin but where we decide to end has eternal consequences. Our destination during this Lenten season is the Cross and certainly toward the empty tomb. On Wednesday, March 5, the church will celebrate Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the church’s 40-day journey towards Easter Sunday. We exclude Sundays from this journey since it is the Lord’s Day in the church’s calendar.

Here are my musings about this journey: a call to have a pilgrim’s mindset, a charge to appreciate the presence of fellow travelers, an appeal to ponder the abiding presence of God and to embrace the hope that God offers us in Jesus and do the same for others. Before we ponder on these things, I want to take a moment to talk about the journey. This 40-day journey towards Easter is symbolic of the 40 years of wandering of the people of Israel in the wilderness and, Jesus’s time in the wilderness prior to his ministry. Wilderness can be an unfriendly place to human survival. On the other hand, wilderness, as someone said, can be a place where we lose control and rely on help outside of ourselves. Wilderness can also be a place where the outside chatter become less, and we begin to hear clearly the voice of On this journey, we are pilgrims and not tourists. We do not travel through scenic routes or stop for interesting sites instead; we embark on a path that is set towards God. Nothing deters a pilgrim from their journey; however, for the tourists, the roadblocks can make them change their travel plans. There is none other than the Psalmist who best describes the role of a pilgrim in Psalm 121. The pilgrim is aware of the harsh realities of the scorching heat of the sun or the effects of the moonlight, yet he continues his/her journey toward God. Hear what the psalmist says, “the Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand – the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night (Psalm 121). May nothing deter us, and I pray that we will have a pilgrim attitude as we embark on this Lenten journey.

Secondly, we are not alone on this journey, we have fellow pilgrims. This is one of my favorite imageries about this journey metaphor. We don’t walk alone. “Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travelers. It means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded”.[1] Think about people who are walking alongside you at this time in your life, at the same time, with whom is God calling you to walk alongside. There are several folks who are hurt, troubled, and anxious and your decision to walk alongside them can make a big difference. Sometimes your silent presence can be a calming influence in the life of that troubled individual. May this Lenten season be a time to embrace the call to walk alongside others.

Thirdly, there is always the “third” person in our journey. From the very beginning of scripture until the very end, there is the promise of the abiding presence of God. The promise is “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Finally, our Lenten journey is one of hope. Hope is easy to come by when things are going well in our lives. What we see around us are people trying to find hope amid hopeless situations. May this Lenten journey renew the hope within us and help people find hope in the God who has promised to bring one. Hear what the apostle Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

[1]https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/20250206-messaggio-quaresima2025.html

Blessings on your Lenten journey,

Unlike last year, we will have to wait another month before we begin the season of Lent. We are still in the season of Epiphany as we journey thru February. A textbook definition of Epiphany is a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand. In other words, it is that “aha” moment, a moment that catches you by surprise when you least expect it. In scripture, it is that moment when the Divine breaks into spaces where the ordinary (people) dwell. Epiphany is not a New Testament concept. It happens all through the Old Testament beginning with Abraham encountering the three visitors under the trees of Mamre in Genesis 18. It also happens with Moses when he encounters God in the burning bush. These are theophanic moments when God comes to meet us.

The church’s liturgical calendar starts with the season of Advent (the 4 Sundays before Christmas) followed by Christmas and now we are in the season of Epiphany. Epiphany also known as “Theophany” in Eastern Christian tradition, is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus and the Wedding at Cana.

The gospel writers, tell us about the epiphanies of God in their unique way. In Matthew, it is the story of the Magi’s visit to see the “toddler” Jesus in the house where they live. The coming of the Magi on the Sunday after New Year is to alert us that God’s revelation of His grand plan of salvation is for ALL the world and not just the few. In Mark, it is the healing of the man who is possessed by demons and him confessing that Jesus is God while the whole congregation of devout followers of YHWH completely missing it.

In Luke, it is the miraculous catch of fish on the shores of Galilee. The miracle turns into a call for missions. This is a true epiphany story, where Peter encounters the living God and in true fashion of theophany, Peter falls prostrate as he recognizes Jesus to be the Savior of the world. He is ready to take the next step of following Jesus leaving everything behind – his profession and family. Finally, in John, it is the wedding at Cana. This is another miracle story but does not lead to discipleship. The interesting aspect of that story is that the poor and meek servants at the party who recognize Jesus miraculous power. It is still an epiphany story because God reveals Himself to the most unlikely – the servants at the wedding party.

So, you see, Epiphany is about God showing up in unlikely places, among unlikely people and in the least expected ways. We worship that same God even in this time and space. So, this is what I have in mind for you as you journey thru this season:

First, pray for God’s sightings as you journey thru February. God sighting is an exercise that we do with the Sunday school children where we ask them this simple question: where did you see God this week? Their answers have often surprised us. God is still in the act of showing up in ordinary places often in our places of work and leisure. Second, be open to the element of surprise. When you come to church, come with anticipation that God will meet you in worship. When you read scripture wait in holy anticipation for God to speak to you. And, finally, don’t limit to what God can do in your life. The wedding at Cana is a powerful reminder that God can change crisis situations into moments of praise. I pray that this epiphany season will be a blessing to you.

Thank you for being a church that watches out for epiphanic moments as you move thru this month. May we be a church that is sensitive to God’s call and responds with bold faith and abundant generosity. It is an honor to serve alongside you as we seek to embody Christ’s love in our community and beyond.

I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…(NIV)

Philippians 1: 3-5

Dear Family of AICC:

I was intrigued by this phrase “partnership in the gospel” as I read my morning devotion one morning. This phrase beautifully describes us as I reflected on things that we did as a congregation during 2024. I am writing this note to commend you for your “partnership in the gospel”.

Partnership for the Apostle meant working together or keeping each other accountable in matters relating to faith. It also meant working together in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ – his life, death, resurrection and His coming again. Partnership is a key term and is often repeated in all his epistles. He firmly believed that faith, ministry and mission is a communal effort and requires all of us to do our share.

Here are some ways you exemplified your partnership in the Gospel:

• The morning prayer at 6AM is a principal example of this partnership. The Apostle was all about the partnership in prayer. He would often urge his church to pray for him as he prays for them. You gathered to offer prayers without compulsion or coercion. God, during 2024, has done great things in answer to pray and will continue as we diligently seek Him in 2025.

• We saw this “partnership” in full display as you took the time to prepare and pass on the faith to our children in Sunday school, preteens, and teens. We must seek new and creative ways to conduct Christian education in the new year for all age groups (including adults).

• The media, praise and worship, scripture readers, and those who helped with setting the altar all worked in tandem (working in conjunction with each other) for meaningful worship every Sunday morning.

• The Apostle Paul was all about ministry and mission (to the poor and marginalized) when he mentions about partnership. Jesus and the early church were all about seeking the poor and the disadvantaged. I am grateful to the missions’ team for identifying new avenues to serve the poor and the disadvantaged.

• Partnership says a lot about who we are in relationship to one another. It means that when one of us is hurting it is the obligation of Christian love for all of us to share that hurt. You walked alongside the families especially the ones who were hurting with grace and resolve.

• God helped us this year to forge a new partnership with the student ministry at a local college. It is my prayer that this will blossom into a lasting relationship.

Partnership is never easy but is the most commendable thing to do. Partnership is a wonderful gift of grace and the source of our unity. For some of us it comes naturally and for others it is a stretch. If we continue to show faithfulness in this partnership, God will offer us more ways to serve Him in 2025. Hear what Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call–one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). May we engage in a God honoring partnership in 2025 and may God use our gifts and talents for the extension of His kingdom.