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December 26, 2022
Happy New Year, CDA Bible!
As you well know, it's almost 2023. But before 2022 becomes a mere memory, I wanted to share a few thoughts with our church family.
First off, allow me to offer some words of "thanks" to so many of you:
- Thanks to our elders who lovingly and wisely shepherd our church body.
- Thanks to our amazing church staff who strive to love, serve, equip, and disciple our kids, youth, and adults.
- Thanks to all those who volunteer in one form or another, whether in our church or in the community. May your tribe increase!
- Thanks to all those who have supported CDA Bible financially over the past year.
- Thanks to everyone for all the different ways you've contributed to the life and ministry of CDA Bible Church.
God has been good to our church in 2022. This was the year that we began to use the words "COVID" and "pandemic" less and less. Which was really nice! More and more, we were able to lean into corporate church life. And we hope that 2023 is a year where we are even more free to pursue Jesus with abandon. Bottom line, we need the church. The church may not be perfect, but God's design for the church is!
For some people, 2022 was a year marked by a lot of challenges and obstacles. Others may have found this year to be relatively free of burdens. If you've suffered in the past year, we sympathize with you. And if you have felt like this has been a year of flourishing, we rejoice with you. Whatever the case, whether in seasons of pain or seasons of relief, may we always look to God as our good, good Father. In every season and phase of life, Jesus is Lord of all.
As far as the year that looms before us, we are excited for a few reasons:
- On January 8, we will celebrate God's goodness with a TESTIMONY SUNDAY service. Come out and discover some of the ways God has been working in lives the past year.
- A new message series begins January 15. It's called WALKING WITH JESUS. It's a journey through the Gospel of Mark.
- Increased prayer activity is still high on our list of goals for the coming year.
- Of course, we will continue forward with ministry to kids, youth, and adults. Get involved in a Discipleship Group, a Bible Study, or in a group at the Wednesday Gathering. Or find a way to serve in the coming year.
When it's all said and done, the burden on our heart is to see that the people of Jesus are equipped and discipled for life, ministry, worship, and service. If we aren't about those things, then we aren't doing our job.
Because we are entering a new year, I highly encourage you to join us for our New Year's Day worship gathering. I'll be challenging everyone (including me!) to be super thoughtful and purposeful regarding our plans for spiritual growth in 2023. Spiritually speaking, let's get the new year started on the right foot!
Finally...HUGE thanks to all of you who have given a year-end gift to the church. Those year-end gifts are SO important to launching a new year of ministry. If you are planning to offer a year-end gift, just be sure that it's postmarked by December 31 for tax purposes.
Here's my prayer for our church as we enter a new year:
Faithful Father, thank you that you have plans for your church that are for our good and your glory. The Bible says the church is your house, you dwell in the midst of your people. Let us be built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. Let us be built together in a way that honors you. May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith so that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Yours for His Kingdom,
Pastor Kurt
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