Right on the heels of the joy of Christmas comes the reality of another year. Undoubtedly some of it will be easy to take; some of it will be hard to take. We all pray for more of the former and less of the latter. But we don’t know, do we? How do you plan to face the unknown or even the unpleasant of 2025? God’s children can do so much better than whistle in the dark, think positive thoughts, or hope for the best. Let the inspired author of Psalm 27 fill you with the One Thing you need for the new year, and every year.

One of the privileges of having a child is the authority to name that child. Parents get to name their child because it’s their wonderful privilege to manage their child, to help him or her find his or her talents, to find his or her capacities, to develop their child, and to bring their child to fullness. It's a wonderful thing to be a parent. But Mary and Joseph were not allowed to name their child. They would care for him, sure; but they wouldn’t manage him. He would manage them. Why? Because their son is not just their son. He’s God with us. He will manage you. It’s a bit frightening, don’t you think? Until you know who he is and why he’s come. Then it’s only gloriously joyful. We’re glad you’ve joined us to worship him this Christmas Eve.

The story of David and Bathsheba is probably one of the best-known stories of all time, but not because it's such a good example for anyone to follow. Still, when you think of it, if God was going to take on a human body through a human mother, what choice did he have but to do so through sinful human beings. That's all there are. The most wonderful thing about the story of David and Bathsheba is that through them, they and we received a Savior from sin. Welcome to St. Andrew. We’re glad you’re here to give thanks for how our Savior came to earth the first time and to encourage one another until he comes again in glory.

One of the women Matthew includes in his record of Jesus' family tree is Ruth. Her life would seem to be a series of misfortunes and lucky breaks. But no way. The Lord God was at work through her, her mother-in-law, and her husband Boaz to accomplish his plan to send his Son to be the Savior of the world. We aren't in Jesus' family tree, but the Lord would want us to know he's just as much at work in our lives. It's not luck. It's not fortune. It's the Lord who has promised to take care of us. He daily invites us to repent of our sin, trust that he's already rescued us, and be part of his way of working things out. We’re glad you’re with us today. Please accept as our gift to you a copy of the Matthew study book from the atrium.

Drama. Political spies. Seamy and seedy locations. Life-threatening danger. Chase scenes. Does all that sound like a John le Carré or Ian Fleming novel? Those elements are also part of the story of Rahab, one of five women Matthew includes in the family tree of Jesus. We’re glad you’re with us to not just gain fascinating information about this woman and the events around her, but to recall the unmistakable work of God to redeem a fallen world through her. Rahab isn't ancillary to God's plan to save; she's at the very heart of it.

Drama. Political spies. Seamy and seedy locations. Life-threatening danger. Chase scenes. Does all that sound like a John le Carré or Ian Fleming novel? Those elements are also part of the story of Rahab, one of five women Matthew includes in the family tree of Jesus. We’re glad you’re with us to not just gain fascinating information about this woman and the events around her, but to recall the unmistakable work of God to redeem a fallen world through her. Rahab isn't ancillary to God's plan to save; she's at the very heart of it.

Isn’t it amazing how a minor disagreement can grow into something bigger than you would have thought possible? And maybe even hurt more people than you would have thought possible? Maybe you've met someone who said about a friend or a spouse, “I don’t know exactly when it started. We both got so irritated with each other, and it just grew and grew. We never thought it would end like this.” But it did. When someone hurts us, our natural response is to get defensive—build a wall. But then there’s war and far-reaching consequences. There's another way. Today, in our worship series “You Need a Friend,” we’ll learn from two early church leaders with feet of clay (like ours): Paul and Barnabas. Here’s our prayer: Lord, help me to be friend when we disagree.