O God, as we reach for the star this year like the Wise Men
so long ago, may it always lead us to Christ. Thank you for the light of
epiphany as we begin this New Year. As
we look back on this past year, we can see how your light has guided us again
and again.
Your light enabled us to send a mission team to Nicaragua.
It led us to receive so many coins for one of our Noisy Bucket Sundays, that it
even broke the bucket. It gave us the idea to host a water bottle give away for
college students this past August during move in week. It led us to host
several Wonderful Wednesday mission events here at our church. It prompted us
to start Worship U, a new service for college students. It helped us to serve
Monday lunches, provide food for Trimble Elementary School, bake cookies for
Kairos Prison Ministry, and offer music concerts that lifted our spirits.
Your light led our church to do many wonderful things this
past year and we give you thanks, O God.
And we know that your light will continue to shine in this New
Year as we begin new small groups, launch an exciting capital campaign of
putting Athens First, begin a new monthly community missions outreach, as well
as continue the many vital ministries of our church. In all these ways, your
light will lead us to be the people you have called us to be and will empower
us to be a blessing to our community and world. Thank you for your light that
will continue to lead us into a new and exciting year of ministry.
We pray that your light would especially be with those who
are in need of your guiding direction in this moment. For those who are hungry,
for those struggling to get by, for the lonely, the tired, the weak, the
discouraged, the mournful, and the people in Missouri and Illinois who have
been impacted by severe flooding, we lift all of these people to you because
you are the light of the world.
Remind us as we go through our year that one of the best
ways we can receive your light is by praying the prayer you taught your
disciples and now teach to us.
“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
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