Devotional: Stepping Into 2026 with Hope and Love

 

"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

As we close the chapter of 2025, we look back with gratitude. This past year may have brought moments of joy, challenges, growth, and even heartbreak—but through it all, God’s presence has remained constant. We give thanks for the lessons learned, the relationships nurtured, and the ways in which Christ’s love carried us through the ordinary and extraordinary days.

Entering 2026, we are reminded that God makes all things new. Like a fresh canvas, the coming year is an invitation to live with intention, kindness, and love. Jesus calls us not only to embrace hope for ourselves but to extend compassion to those around us. Every act of gentleness, patience, and generosity echoes God's light in a world that longs for it.

Let us step forward with hearts open to God’s guidance, ready to love more deeply, forgive more freely, and serve more joyfully. The old may be behind us, but the new is here—filled with opportunities to reflect Christ’s love in every encounter.

Prayer:
Loving God,
Thank You for carrying us through 2025, for Your faithfulness in the highs and the lows, and for the gifts of love, friendship, and growth along the way. As we step into 2026, fill our hearts with hope and courage. Teach us to walk in Your ways, to show kindness to the weary, and to shine Your love into every corner of our lives. Help us to live as new creations in Christ, trusting that Your Spirit will guide our steps and that Your joy will sustain us through every season. May our words, actions, and hearts reflect Jesus’ love, so that this year becomes a testament to Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Sermon Notes: The Last Laugh of the Year

The following are sermon notes from this past Sunday, titled “The Last Laugh of the Year.” The main scripture is Ecclesiastes 3:1-4: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

As the year comes to a close, life often feels messy. Plans went sideways. Resolutions were forgotten. Joy and grief intertwined. And yet, even in the chaos, God’s care remains constant. Life unfolds in seasons, and every emotion has its place. There is a time to weep—and a time to laugh. Laughter is not denial; it is trust. It is the recognition that God is present, even when life doesn’t go as expected.

Everyone experiences moments when faith feels strong and moments when it whispers. Even in challenges, there is grace at work, meeting people where they are, carrying them through struggles, and shaping hearts with patience and mercy. Life’s blunders, frustrations, and unexpected twists can become blessings when met with trust, hope, and joy.

The central claim is this: because life rests in God’s faithful care, every season can be faced with honesty, trust, and even holy laughter. As the new year begins, the invitation is to name the season honestly, give thanks for the moments of joy, embrace laughter as an act of faith, and trust God with what comes next. Love always has the last word, and even when life doesn’t go according to plan, God’s story continues.

Devotional: Holy Laughter for a New Year

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to weep and a time to laugh." — Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

As we step into a new year, we carry the memories of the past: the joys, the losses, the surprises, and the lessons. Life is a series of seasons, some heavy and some light, and God meets us in every one. Even when plans go awry, laughter reminds us that we are not in control—God is. Holy laughter is a mark of trust, gratitude, and hope. It transforms ordinary moments into glimpses of God’s presence and grace.

This year, let us embrace both the tears and the smiles. Let us thank God for sustaining us through challenges, for the unexpected joys, and for the gentle reminders of love that appear in the simplest moments. Let us carry forward the gift of laughter and the courage to trust God with what comes next.

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for guiding us through the past year with patience, mercy, and love. As we enter this new year, help us to trust You more deeply, to rejoice in Your blessings, and to find holy laughter even in challenging times. Fill our hearts with gratitude, hope, and joy, that we may reflect Jesus’ love to those around us. Amen.

Sermon Notes: The Smallest Presence, the Greatest Love.

The following are sermon notes of a sermon preached this past Sunday, titled “The Smallest Presence, the Greatest Love.” The main scripture is Hebrews 1:1-2, which reminds us that God speaks to humanity through the Son.

Christmas is a season that draws attention to the smallest, most vulnerable presence—a baby. There is something irresistible about innocence and fragility. People lean in, hearts soften, and love flows effortlessly. This is no accident. God comes into the world not in power or spectacle, but as a tiny, dependent infant, inviting everyone to experience divine love in its most tender form.

God’s love is relentless, seeking humanity even when we turn away, embracing us despite our failures, and calling us toward transformation through mercy and grace. The incarnation shows that true power is found in humility, and true presence is found in attention to the weak, overlooked, and vulnerable.

Everyone is invited to notice these moments of vulnerability—not just in babies, but in neighbors, the lonely, and those on the margins. Each encounter is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s presence through care, kindness, and service. Every act of attention leaves a lasting imprint, shaping hearts in ways that gifts or words cannot.

Imagine communities where everyone treats each other with the same reverence given to a newborn. Workplaces, schools, churches, and homes could become spaces of compassion, mercy, and grace. God’s coming as a baby is not a distant story; it is a call to live love in tangible ways here and now. When hearts open, and hands reach out, the kingdom of God emerges in ordinary life.

This Christmas, lean in, laugh a little, love deeply, and notice the smallest presence, for in that vulnerability is the greatest love.

Devotional: Envy and Its Effects

Scripture Passage: Genesis 37:3a-4

In the narrative of Joseph and his brothers, we encounter a poignant display of familial jealousy and its destructive consequences. Joseph, the son of Jacob's old age and the beloved of his father, faced resentment from his brothers due to the favoritism shown towards him. This favoritism was not just perceived but was openly displayed, exacerbating the animosity among them.

Jacob's preference for Joseph stemmed from various factors: Joseph was born to Rachel, Jacob's most cherished wife, and he was born in Jacob's later years, bringing a special joy to his father. However, these circumstances bred envy and bitterness among Joseph's brothers, who felt overlooked and overshadowed.

Jealousy and envy are common human emotions that can lead to profound strife and division, even among those closest to us. When someone else receives recognition, favor, or attention that we desire, it can stir up feelings of inadequacy, resentment, and bitterness within us.

Reflect on your own life: Is there someone who seems to possess qualities, relationships, or opportunities that you deeply long for? Perhaps it's a friend's success, a sibling's favor, or someone else's achievements that leave you feeling overlooked or undervalued.

As we navigate our relationships and aspirations, let us guard against the seeds of envy and bitterness. Instead, let us cultivate gratitude for our own blessings and seek to celebrate the successes and joys of others. In doing so, we honor God's plan and unique gifts to each of God’s children.

 

Prayer:

Loving God, help me to confront and overcome feelings of envy and bitterness. Grant me the grace to rejoice with others in their blessings and to find contentment in the unique path you have set before me. May I trust in your timing and provision, knowing that your plan for my life is perfect. Amen.

Celebrating Love: A Reflection on Marriage and God's Love

 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Dear friends,

As we celebrate this season of love, I want to take a moment to reflect on the profound gift of love, both in marriage and in the greater love of God. On Valentine’s Day, we often celebrate the love we share with our spouses, but let us also remember the ultimate source of love, the love that flows from our Creator.

In marriage, we experience a reflection of God's love for us. The love between spouses is meant to be a picture of the unwavering, sacrificial love that God shows God's people. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." These words remind us that love in marriage, like God's love, should be unconditional and enduring.

But above all, let us not forget the depth of God's love for us. John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This divine love is not bound by time or circumstance; it is freely given, without expectation, and is the foundation of all the love we share with others.

On this Valentine’s Day, may we celebrate not only the love between us as spouses but also the love that God has lavished upon us, a love that empowers and transforms.

With love and blessings,

Pastor Richard

Renewed Strength

 Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

The beginning of a new year can often be a time of feeling both excited and exhausted. The weight of past struggles and the uncertainty of the future can cause us to feel weary. Yet, Isaiah 40:31 gives us a powerful reminder that when we place our hope in the Lord, our strength is renewed.

God’s strength is limitless, and promises that those who hope will rise above their circumstances. Like an eagle soaring high above the storm, we too can rise above the challenges we face. God doesn’t just give us strength to endure; God provides a strength that allows us to soar.

As we embark on 2025, let’s remember that our source of strength is not our own. We are invited to rely on God’s abundant grace and power. When we feel weak, God lifts us up. When we feel tired, God refreshes us. Let this year be a year of renewed strength, as we trust in God's provision and ability to carry us through.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being my source of strength. When I feel weary and worn, I will place my hope in You. Renew my strength and help me to rise above my challenges. I trust that You will carry me through this year, and I look forward to the strength You will provide. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Devotional: Healing Through Reconciliation

 

In God's grand design, reconciliation through Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope and healing, vividly illustrated in the life of Joseph. Despite enduring betrayal and being sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph eventually forgave them. This act of forgiveness was not merely a gesture but a profound moment of emotional healing and restoration within his family.

Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers was a deeply emotional experience. When he revealed himself to them in Egypt, Joseph wept in private, moved by the opportunity to mend the fractures caused by years of separation and animosity. Through God's grace and Joseph's willingness to forgive, what began as a tale of sibling rivalry and betrayal transformed into a narrative of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Moreover, Joseph's reconciliation with his family extended beyond emotional healing. It resulted in practical outcomes, such as bringing safety and abundance to his father Jacob and his entire household during the years of famine. This demonstrated God's faithfulness in using even the most painful circumstances for good, fulfilling God’s divine plan of redemption and restoration.

In the broader context of God's kingdom, reconciliation holds profound significance. Jesus Himself emphasized the greatest commandments: to love God wholeheartedly and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This dual commandment underscores God's desire for unity and harmony among His people, countering division and fostering relationships built on love and forgiveness.

As we reflect on Joseph's journey and God's overarching plan of reconciliation, let us embrace the hope and healing offered through Christ. Let us give thanks for God's redemptive work in our lives and promise of peace, both with God and with one another.

Dear God, like Joseph, teach us the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Grant us the grace to heal emotional wounds and restore broken relationships. Help us to forgive as You have forgiven us and to embrace unity and love among our families and communities. Thank You for Your plan of peace and restoration through Jesus Christ. Guide us to live out Your commandments of love, bringing healing and reconciliation to those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sermon Notes: A Celebration of Love: Unpacking the Trinity

Introduction

We gather to celebrate the very heart of our faith: the mystery of God as one being in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's a truth that might leave our minds a little bewildered, but fills our hearts with awe and wonder.

The Three Faces of Love

Imagine this – true love can't exist in a vacuum. It takes two, doesn't it? Well, God, who is perfect love itself, isn't confined by such limitations. He exists eternally in a perfect relationship of love: the Father, who loves unconditionally, the Son, who embodies that love, and the Holy Spirit, the very essence of that love that binds them together.

A Reflection for Our Lives

This beautiful mystery of the Trinity teaches us so much about how we should live. We see a call to:

Build strong communities: Just like the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sustainer exist in perfect fellowship, we are called to build strong churches and communities where we support one another and share God's love.

Love sacrificially: The Trinity shows us love that isn't about getting something back, but about giving of ourselves for others. Just like Jesus sacrificed himself for us.

Embrace our differences: Even though the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct, they are united. We too can celebrate our differences and find strength in working together as a church family.

The Story of Doubting Thomas

Remember the story of Thomas, the doubting disciple? (John 20:19-31) After Jesus' resurrection, the others saw him, but Thomas wasn't there. He struggled with doubt. But Jesus, in his infinite love and understanding, appeared to Thomas again, offering not judgment, but reassurance. This story reminds us:

It's okay to have doubts. We're all human, and sometimes faith can be a struggle.

God's love is always there. Just like Jesus came back for Thomas, God will come back for us, meeting us where we are in our doubts and fears.

Faith is a journey. We don't have to have all the answers, but we can choose to walk with Jesus, one step at a time.

Finding Strength in Each Other

Think about it - when we're feeling lost or alone, our faith can weaken. But when we come together as a church family, surrounded by love and support, our faith grows stronger. We are each other's companions on this journey of faith.

Conclusion

So, let us go forth from this service, inspired by the love of the Trinity. Let us build strong communities, love one another selflessly, and embrace the beautiful tapestry of God's creation. May the love of the Creator, the grace of the Redeemer, and the fellowship of the Sustainer be with you always. Amen.