Looking Forward to a Blessed New Year 

As we enter the New Year, we have countless reasons to celebrate. It’s a season of fresh opportunities—a chance to reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past and to anticipate His abundant plans for our families, ministries, and personal growth. 

This new chapter is not merely a turning of the calendar; it’s an invitation to draw closer to the Lord. He promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). As we commit to pursuing Him wholeheartedly, we can trust His Spirit to guide, shape, and empower us to live as faithful disciples. 

This season, I am particularly aware of the importance of carving out intentional “quiet time” in God’s presence. Amid the noise and demands of life—new responsibilities, endless to-do lists, and the constant pull of notifications—finding stillness becomes a necessity. Recently, I installed white noise in my office to help maintain focus amidst distractions. But even more importantly, I am reminded that in an increasingly noisy world, our first invitation is to simply spend time with Jesus. 

The disciples in the Gospels understood the profound value of being in His presence, sitting at His feet to listen and learn. Similarly, we must create spaces of quietness and solitude to halt the hurry in our lives. As Dallas Willard describes it, solitude is “a spiritual discipline that involves choosing to be alone and abstaining from human interaction.” In these moments of stillness, we rediscover our grounding in Christ and renew our strength for the journey ahead. 

As you enter this new year, may you intentionally seek His presence and fully surrender to His Spirit. 

Let us embrace this journey with humility and determination, asking the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in our lives. May we grow in faith, love, and service, always striving to remain faithful to His calling. Together, as families and individuals, let us press forward with confidence, knowing that the Lord will bless and sustain us in every step we take. 

A Prayer for the New Year 

Lord, we thank You for the gift of a new year, a fresh start to know You more deeply and to serve You more faithfully. Teach us to pause in the stillness and hear Your voice. Holy Spirit, empower us to be fruitful disciples, grounded in Your presence and growing in Your grace. Bless our families, our ministries, and the work of our hands so that all we do brings glory to You. Amen.

May 2025 be a year of deeper connection with the Lord, rich fruitfulness, and unwavering faithfulness as we walk in His plans! Together, we are making Kansas an easy place to experience the presence and forgiveness of Jesus. 

Leaning In,

Supt. Nathan L Sheridan