Dear friends and family of Fifth Avenue UMC,
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the year! It is unbelievable! The busy season is passing, leaving us with memories and emotions. It’s hard to pause long enough during the busy season to remember what happened in 2025: the good, the bad, the hard, the beautiful, the heartbreaking. We will acknowledge that we've all changed, grown, and learned a thing or two. We need to find a personal space and ritual to wrap up the past year beautifully as a Christian.
Here are some questions to help you to wrap up your year.
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Pick three words to describe 2025.
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What is a movie or book you really enjoyed this past year?
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What are two things you enjoyed doing with your family this year?
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What did you accomplish or do this year that you’re proud of?
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In what ways did you grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically this year?
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Share how God showed up in your life in 2025.
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What is something you did this past year to help someone?
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What was something challenging you experienced this past year?
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Name three specific things you were grateful for this year.
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What’s one hard lesson you learned this year?
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Who were your most valuable relationships with this past year?
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What’s one thing that happened this year that you want to remember for the rest of your life?
Here are some suggestions for a time of prayerful reflection.
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Find a quiet place where you can minimize interruptions. It may help to mute or put away your phone and light a candle as a reminder that this is a dedicated time for reflection.
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Sit in silence for a few minutes. As you breathe out, release any thoughts or feelings of anxiety, stress, or tension. As you breathe in, take in a greater awareness of God’s peace and loving presence.
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Invite God to meet with you as you work through the questions and remember different events, situations, struggles, and joys from the past year. Even if you can’t remember his presence when the events happened, ask him to show you or help you imagine his nearness.
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Give God thanks for everything he has walked you through this past year. For the things things that cause distress and grief, ask him to help you find comfort and peace. For the things that cause delight and joy, receive those blessings with gratitude.
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End the time with some silence. Again, breathe out any residual stress, anxiety, and tension, and breathe in God’s peace and loving presence. When you are ready, blow out the candle.
Many Blessings and Happy New Year!
Pastor Hae-Jeong