Read the booklet online

Matthew 22: 36-40  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (bolding mine, NIV) 

At the start of the New Year we want to provide you with some resources, practices, and suggestions to help you in your spiritual growth. Of course, when we talk about spiritual growth, we are talking about growing in our love of God and neighbor. 

I'm continually inspired at how God is working in the lives of people in our congregation. I've been encouraged by the variety of ways people have sought to follow Jesus and pursue knowing God more deeply. I can think of many conversations I've had with you all about what God has been teaching you and the ways you have experienced the Holy Spirit’s transformation. I have also understood when others in the congregation have lamented that they feel distant from God or don't even know where to start when it comes to growing in their faith.  This is also a real part of the spiritual journey. 

What I love about our God is that He meets us right where we are, in whatever season we find ourselves. I also love that the vastness and complexity of God is beyond our full comprehension. This means that there is no narrowness or rigidity to the means and practices we have to learn about or love our limitless God.  Our spiritual practices can be as diverse and creative as our imaginative God.  This is why we have compiled the following booklet.  

In the pages to follow you will find reflections from people in our congregation who share about the varied practices and resources that have helped strengthen their love for God and neighbor this past year. You will find that their reflections are heartfelt and are as different as each person who wrote them. Their reflections also include encouragement and advice for us,  as brothers and sisters in Christ, who are wanting to grow in our faith. 

At the end of the booklet, you too, will have an opportunity to reflect on ways that you have grown in love for God and your neighbor this past year, and ways you hope to do so in the New Year. 

Be prayerful and joyful at God’s work in the lives of our brothers and sisters and also rejoice that God is at work in your life too.