“Soul Reset: New Beginnings” – January 16, 2022

Dear SDUMC Family,

There is a prayer that I often pray each morning before I hit the trails for my prayer runs, “New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (A Liturgy for Morning Prayer,” Upper Room Worshipbook)

As I pray, I’m reminded that God’s mercies are new every morning! But sometimes, it is easy to get stuck in the same old routine. So, as we take these first steps into the new year, I hope you’ll join me and symbolically push the “reset button” so we can claim the fresh start God makes available to all of us. Then, as we rediscover our true identity in the love of God, we will discover a new purpose and, guided by the compass of God’s values, head off in an exciting God-given direction!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll begin a new sermon series and use a guidebook along the way, Soul Reset by Rev. Junius Dotson. I had the opportunity to read Dotson’s book over a little post-Christmas break. It was so helpful to me in my own life, and I know it will benefit us as we continue to (re)Gather this year (you can read more about the book in the column that follows). In addition, this would be an excellent book to pick up for a friend or family member who may need some guidance moving forward in their lives.

I’ll look forward to starting this new series with you this Sunday. As always, I hope to see you in person or online this Sunday. Join us at 8 a.m. in the Chapel (our 30-minute Communion Service) or at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary (with special music and Live-streamed).

Have a blessed weekend, and I hope you’ll join me in the prayer that I shared throughout your weekend.

Grace, Peace, and New Year Blessings,
John