JANUARY 11, 2026
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19
There is within the nature of every human being a desire to belong. There are people who attempt to prove that they “don’t need anybody” to live in this world, but that attempt is always contrary to the real longing that has been put into the inner most being of every person. All of us are created in the image of God, and that means we all reflect in that most transparent place of our hearts the need to love and be loved. God is like that! He loves because of who He is and wants all of us to love Him. We are built for a relationship with Someone other than ourselves. Because God made us this way, He also provides for the possibility that every single one of us can belong! Jesus Christ came into the world “to seek and save that which is lost!” When we discover ourselves as being lost and alone, Jesus comes to find us and “take us home” where we belong. God wants you to be a part of His family!
The hymn/song that I have chosen for this week is certainly not very old. It was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1970. The song is not even as old as many of the folks who come here to church. Some of us have been singing this song for as long as it has been written and hope that it will be sung until Jesus returns to take His Church home to heaven. Because we know what it means to belong to God’s family, it is a joy to sing The Family of God.
You will notice we say brother and sister ‘round here. It’s because we’re a fam’ly, And these folks are so near.
When one has a heart-ache we all share the tears, And rejoice in each vic-t’ry in this family so dear.
From the door of an orph-‘nage to the house of the King, No longer an out-cast, A new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!
(Refrain)
I’m so glad I’m a part of the fam-‘ly of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, Cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Je-sus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the fam-‘ly, the fam-‘ly of God.
1st Sunday in the New Year
JANUARY 4, 2026
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.’ The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24
It seems as if everything in this world keeps changing! For many of us, those changes are NOT for the better, they seem only to complicate things. This might reflect the old adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” I really don’t know if that is true, but it does appear to me that as a person becomes “older,” sudden deliberate changes are often difficult to adjust to. In two discussions during the holidays, others expressed this idea to me. My oldest brother said as we reminisced about our home when we were young children, “Life was much simpler then. Because we just had an old wood/coal furnace, we could lose electrical power, and the house was still warm.” Another businessman said to me, “So many people in our culture keep identifying ‘right and wrong’ according to what they want. Nothing stays the same. I couldn’t live without a fixed foundation of what is ‘right and wrong!’” It seems that the majority of us really do want stability!
Part of the best news I have ever heard is that God never changes! He is the same all the time! We can count on His character and trustworthiness! He is good, loving, and kind! Praise Him! All of this is declared in the wonderful hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above…
Join with all nature in manifest witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow – Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!
(Refrain)
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!