THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
December 30, 2002
As we face the New Year do we do it in despair or in hope? Are we willing to echo the words of faith written by Frances Havergal and sung to Charles Wesley music?
Another Year Is Dawning
Another year is dawning! Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with thee;
This is where the hope begins, when we can live in fellowship with God.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Our challenge, to prove that God is present in us by the way we live, in public and with those closest to us.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, of quiet happy rest.
The first two lines of this second stanza speak of God’s actions on our behalf, the last two, of our glad response to receive the strength to be what God has created, and Jesus challenged us to be. The third stanza makes clear it doesn’t stop with rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above;
The year demands service, and to me this means to all people because we are all God’s children; and of witness so others can find the same hope.
Another year is dawning! dear Father let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for thee.
No matter what the year brings God cares and God challenges.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
Past Weeks Thoughts: