FOUNDRY's 2014 New Year's Resolutions
By: Val Sachs
With apologies to all of you who tire of New Year’s resolutions this time of year, FOUNDRY begs your indulgence as we have a few of our own we would like to share with you. Every Sunday, when we gather, we recite The Lord’s Prayer – a powerful example from Jesus himself of how to speak with God. As with any words that are often repeated, it’s easy to lose sight of their impact if we aren’t mindful when we speak them. So, in the spirit of this mindfulness, we offer the following resolutions and hopes for 2014.
Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name
God has blessed FOUNDRY and its members when we have unabashedly proclaimed that we are followers of a living God and that our hope lies in the good news of the Gospel. When we go into the public schools with movie night fliers or help in the classroom, we display our FOUNDRY logo with its cross. With our actions we hope to reflect the God who loves us and calls us to serve one another. God’s hallowed name is on our lips when we meet others and in our hearts as we reach out to those in need. In 2014, we will continue to be God’s hands and feet to the community. We strive to live out 1 Peter 3:15, “Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
In 2014, FOUNDRY stands ready to shine even more light on the dark areas of society. God’s kingdom isn’t a faraway place… it begins here and now. One of the “dark places” that God keeps bringing to our attention is human trafficking. FOUNDRY provided Christmas gifts for 29 victims and nine of their children this past Christmas. It was wonderful to be able to brighten the holiday for these women and their families, but they (and so many others) continue to suffer throughout the year. Pastor Christian is feeling God’s tug on his heart in regards to some of these most vulnerable in our midst. God’s kingdom will not be realized on this earth without God’s children standing up and doing God’s will. Working to stop the victimization of children – boys, girls, young women and their families – is a commitment FOUNDRY makes in this New Year.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
At FOUNDRY, we take communion every Sunday and we will continue to offer this “open table” whenever we meet for worship. We are thankful for the ability to break bread together as a family – with all in attendance because it reminds us of the ways God continues to shower grace on us. This grace keeps us mindful of God’s unconditional mercy – and our responsibility to show that same mercy to others.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
There have been temptations in FOUNDRY’s first full year of ministry and surely in our human-ness we have made mistakes. God’s faithful hand has been on this church and we have experienced protection from evil. We resolve to avoid the temptation of limiting God’s power through this new church start. Even as recently as Christmas Eve, we printed bulletins for a modest attendance. When somewhere between 60 and 70 worshippers showed up, there weren’t bulletins for many. It was a wonderful problem to have, but we also realized we hadn’t planned using God’s grand perspective. In 2014, we resolve to prayerfully seek God’s direction for this faith-life community’s future. Yes….we have a youth group started; but how does God want new young people to be reached in East Chula Vista? Yes, our sanctuary is a beautiful place where we meet on Sundays; but where else does God want FOUNDRY represented?
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever!
Our greatest hope for 2014 is that our members, our leaders, our volunteers and our supporters never cease to seek the Lord’s will and then to act on that will. Then, all can experience God’s kingdom, power and glory – not in some future dimension, but now. When God’s love is extended to the isolated, the disenfranchised, the lonely and the sick – we are given a glimpse of the Divine. We resolve to continue sharing God’s love wherever the Spirit leads us.
Amen!
So be it!