Dear Beloved Members and Friends of St. Matthew’s UMC,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the diverse and vibrant family God has gathered here at St. Matthew’s. Together, we embody the beauty of God’s creation, where every culture, language, and background testify to His love and creativity.
Our theme for this month, “God’s Credibility and Faithfulness,” is rooted in the powerful words of 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” This passage reminds us that every promise God has ever made finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In a world often marked by broken promises and uncertain times, God’s faithfulness is our firm foundation.
As we reflect on God’s unwavering credibility, I invite each of us to consider how His faithfulness can shape our lives in this new year. God’s promises assure us of His presence in every trial, His guidance in every decision, and His power to bring about transformation - both within us and through us.
This January, we are launching an exciting campaign to deepen our walk with Christ: “The Daily Diary – Walking with Jesus.” This campaign encourages each member of our congregation to set aside intentional time daily to reflect on Scripture, pray, and record how you experience God’s presence and promises in your life. Here’s how you can participate:
- Each day, write down at least three things you are thankful to God for.
- Use a journal, diary, or digital note to record your daily thanksgiving
- It can be a simple phrase, a heartfelt sentence, or a reflective paragraph.
- The church will provide a small note pad for you to use.
Through this campaign, we aim to grow not only as individuals but also as a unified body of Christ. Imagine the stories we will have to share by the end of the year - testimonies of God’s promises fulfilled, prayers answered, and lives transformed.
In addition to this personal commitment, let us also consider how we can collectively embody God’s credibility and faithfulness in our community. How can we, as St. Matthew’s UMC, be a living witness to the multicultural and multi-generational unity that God desires for His people? This year, let us challenge ourselves to step out in faith, serve our neighbors, and extend the love of Christ beyond our church walls.
I am excited about what God has in store for us in 2025. With hearts anchored in God’s promises and hands ready to serve, we can boldly say “Amen” to all that God is calling us to do. Together, let us walk with Jesus, trusting that every step will lead us closer to His perfect will for our lives and our church.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jong
