We’d love to connect with you.
Thank you! A member from our team will connect with you soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
.png)
As we step into a new year, many of us are doing so with heavy hearts. Our city has experienced profound upheaval in recent weeks, and the fear, grief, and exhaustion we feel are real. In moments like this, it can feel strange, or even tone deaf, to lean on familiar language about fresh starts or new beginnings. And yet, the turning of the calendar does invite us to pause, to breathe, and to remember where our hope truly rests. While much around us feels uncertain and unsettled, God remains faithful. He has been faithful to His people before, He is faithful now, and He will continue to be faithful to us as a church and as a city.
Even in this difficult season, I’m reminded that God is still at work among us at CPC. The page has turned, but we are continuing a story that God has been writing for over 70 years. Our story is one marked by grace, perseverance, and quiet faithfulness. My hope as we enter this year is not that we rush past the pain or pretend things are fine, but that we remain open to God’s presence and newness, trusting that He meets us precisely where we are.
As a church, we are moving forward in two significant ways. We are seeking God to grow His church at the corner of 70th and 100th, and we are preparing to expand our Sunday worship schedule to make space for that growth. While one of these steps is primarily spiritual and the other primarily structural, both invite us to live more fully into our vision to be open to how the Gospel moves. In seeking God for growth, we are confessing that we are not the heroes and we are not in control; instead, we are asking God to use us in ways that reflect His love and purposes. In expanding our worship schedule, we are stepping into new and unfamiliar territory, unsure of exactly what lies ahead but confident that God will meet us there.
Because of this, it feels especially important to begin the year by focusing on one of our four practices of openness: invitation. In a world marked by fear, anger, division, and isolation, the simple act of invitation becomes a powerful expression of hope. We invite others to church and to faith not because we have all the answers, but because we believe the Gospel offers real life and lasting hope. Ultimately, our invitation is not about impressing others with human effort, but about welcoming them into an encounter with the living God. I’m reminded of the words of 2 Timothy 1:7: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” My prayer is that, even in uncertain times, we would step into this year with courage, love, and trust, confident that God is already at work.
Much love,
Petey
