Pastor Tom Grieb begins our new series "Old Habits/New Habits."

As we enter the new year, we’ll be talking about those things that, if regularly practiced, help us face whatever might come our way.  We’ll be talking about breaking old habits that need breaking and developing new ones that lead to a new way of approaching life.  We’ll consider such things as prayer, Bible study, worship, service, the sacraments, and fasting, realizing that all of these are a means to an end.  A regular practice of these “means of grace” will ultimately bring us to a closer relationship with God, which always puts us right where we need to be whatever the year. 

This Sunday, we’ll be talking about prayer.  What better thing to talk about as we begin the new year?  If we simply resolve to pray more often and with an intent to connect with God more faithfully, we will find ourselves better prepared to meet whatever 2021 might bring.  Our scripture for this Sunday is from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about prayer.  Let me encourage you to read and re-read, Matthew 6:5-15.