As another year comes to the end, and we look back on all that we have accomplished and all the ways we have grown in mission and ministry together, the words of Psalm 118 give us words of encouragement and guidance: “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Rejoice, and be glad! What an incredible way to summarize the past year. Last year we were asked to move Forward in Faith, and wow, Advent – you have been so faithful! As we reflect on the many ways everyone in this congregation has given of themselves – their time, their sweat, their passion, their skills, and their resources – to help share God’s love in the world, we are moved beyond words.
There is so much for which we can rejoice and be glad! For our:
- Powerful witness in the community during the Festivals as we focused this year on hospitality, even through the challenges of operating during construction, in order to provide critical financial support to our mission partners at Cross Church in Milwaukee and MABO Children’s Home of Haiti
- RIC Team which continues to help us expand our message of love and inclusivity through Pride Rocks and the new children’s storytime, the Pop-Up Pride Witness, and more
- Shared EPIC Youth Ministry, with 25 children in Confirmation (including 3 Advent children) and our joint VBS program which boasts as many middle and high school volunteers as children enrolled in the program
- Ever-deepening partnership with Cross Lutheran Church not only through the food pantry and meal ministry, but also through shared worship and learning opportunities
- Nearly completed elevator project and all the hours of service given by the Property Committee and volunteers who helped us not only make our sacred space more safe, accessible and inviting, but which also helped us trust in God’s abundance
- Partnership that continues to evolve and grow with EPIC Churches, including: shared summer worship in the park, Quilting Ministry, rotating Lenten midweek worship, joint adult confirmation programing, and more
- Restored Good Shepherd Window, that not only allowed us to care for the beautiful sacred art left to our care, but also allowed us to protect beautiful art that is important to the wider community
- Syzygy Circle, who resumed their presence as hosts for funeral receptions, providing important hospitality for families in their times of distress
- Many opportunities to connect and share in fellowship and conversation, from weekly coffee hour after church, to free lunchtime concerts, to social gatherings like the annual picnic or Grill & Chill
- And more…
Yes, there is so much that we have been able to accomplish this past year, because of YOU, and so we can rejoice and be glad.
And, friends… God is not done with us. We can rejoice and be glad for what we have done… but we can also rejoice and be glad for what God is still doing and will do in the coming months and years! We didn’t know when we started our big mission projects where they’d end up, and God is still unfolding plans for our congregation. Where will God lead us next?
Just imagine what will happen as our EPIC partnership continues to develop… what new things does God have in store for Cedarburg? Imagine what God will do though all the lives that are touched because of our witness through Festivals or Pride Rocks. Imagine the impact our new elevator will have on people we haven’t even met yet.
Yes, we WILL rejoice and be glad!
Won’t you join us? It’s an exciting time to be a part of this congregation. The Spirit is moving and leading us to make a difference in so many ways. But none of it is possible without each and every one of us working together. So will you commit to continue your support in 2026?
Thank you for being part of this vital congregation, thank you for being a good steward of the gifts God has given to you, and thank you so much for your consideration.