A new year is ahead of us. Thus, also ahead of us are all those nettlesome chores that we are instructed to do once a year. They are things like – replace the batteries in your smoke detector, go to the dentist, replace your windshield wiper blades, drain your hot water heater, rotate your tires, and do your taxes.

We can be tempted to see our days as filled with obligations to be checked off our list – one after another and another. Don’t, however, let your faith life become a rote and mechanical mantra. Friendship with God is never one burden among all the others. This life can weary us; God’s life refreshes us. This life is filled with burdens; God lifts our burdens. Much in this life tries to suck joy and meaning away from us; God keeps creating more joy and meaning and pouring it into our lives.
Keep the spirit-refreshing gifts of heaven flowing. All year stay plugged into prayer, worship, and friendship with God.


Fr. Dennis Zehren
Pastor