A Message from Pastor Kaji

Dear Church:

Many of you come from the tradition of Watchnight, when we watch for God’s blessings as we head into the next season of our lives. I evoke that in my reflections for you this week. 

As we prepare to step into a new year, I want to invite you to consider what it means to truly wake upto the presence of God in your life.

Maybe you’ve felt spiritually drowsy lately, unsure of where God is moving. Or perhaps you’re walking alongside someone who seems entirely “asleep” to God’s blessings. It’s easy to feel discouraged, especially when the challenges of life feel overwhelming.

As we begin a new year, I pray you’ll take time to reflect on how God is intervening in your life. Where are the places you might still be “asleep” to God’s blessings? Where might you invite God to wake you up to new possibilities?

Join us this Sunday as we explore this theme together through the lens of 1 Thessalonians—and celebrate the God who never gives up on us.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Kaji

SCRIPTURE

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 (Gafney, Wilda. A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church Year C. Church Publishing, Jul/2024. P 18):

13 Now we do not want you to be ignorant, sisters and brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you might not grieve as those do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose, even so they who sleep, will God by Jesus, bring with him. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Most High God, that we who are alive, who remain until the coming of Jesus, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For Jesus himself, with a command, in the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive who are left, together with them, will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air; and so we will be with Jesus forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.