Mark Carey writes:

Mark Carey writes

Happy New Year!

Our verse for 2025 is “For you will spread out to the right and the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns” - Isaiah 54:3

Why this verse? Because it is a wonderfully positive, hope-filled statement of faith.

Where we see less, limits, loss – God sees expansion. What appears barren is made fruitful by the saving grace of God in Jesus. We might see less, limits, loss, God sees spreading out. He calls us to expand our living space, not to settle for the status quo, to live confidently as His fruitful people.

Isaiah 54 encourages us to:

• Look beyond current circumstances

• Anticipate a future filled with Gods blessings

• Have hope and live in hope in difficult times

Last Sunday evening Mary Corkish, part of the leadership team of one of our network churches, St Andrew’s, Ulrome, began to help us in our corporate unpacking of this verse for the year ahead.

It is well worth watching via our

YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waJZ0Y0nEsM

This Sunday evening, 12th January, I will be adding my thoughts – do come, or watch.

Finally, the New Year is often a time when people consider becoming more actively involved in things. We have many opportunities for volunteering and serving others. Can I highlight especially, the café at Christ Church. We’d like to reinforce and build up the team that serves at the front ‘windows’ of Christ Church – do talk to Donna Brooks about this if you are interested.

The Rev Canon Mark Carey - Christ Church Bridlington Network