This year, the calendar gives us the opportunity to gather for Sunday worship on New Year’s Eve. Though some communities, particularly those in the Black church tradition, gather for New Year’s Eve every year, many other communities do not, even though historically New Year’s Eve has held great significance for Methodists. Thus, this Sunday offers an excellent opportunity for us, who are not used to gathering on New Year’s Eve to live into a piece of our heritage.
Beginning in 1755, John Wesley encouraged gathering for worship on New Year’s Eve, this service is for remembering the past year—as well as recommitting to following Christ. A service, of coming together in mutual commitment to following where God leads, supporting one another in love, and serving the beloved community so that all can know and live in God’s abundance.
As we cross the threshold of a New Year, it is an opportune time to re-evaluate our lives in light of the future. How will we use the coming years? What are our priorities? Are the things we do and give our lives to of most importance in the light of eternity? How strong is our covenant relationship with God?
May the Lord make my New Year a happy one…Not by shielding us from sorrow and pain, but by strengthening us to bear it if it comes. Not by making our path easy, but by making us sturdy enough to tread any path. Not by taking hardship from us, but by taking all cowardice and fear from our hearts as we meet hardships. Not by granting us unbroken sunshine, but by keeping our faces bright even in the shadows. Not by making our lives always pleasant, but by showing us where humanity and God’s plan need me most and by making us zealous to be there and to help…God, make my New Year a blessed and fruitful one.
We welcome your lavish love in this new year. May the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and, in the days, ahead.