A New Beginning in God’s Faithfulness

As we stand at the threshold of 2026, we do so with hearts full of gratitude and hope. Another year has unfolded behind us marked by God’s faithfulness, sustaining grace, and quiet miracles, and a new year now stretches before us, rich with promise and purpose.

The New Year is more than a change on the calendar; it is an invitation from God. An invitation to begin again. An invitation to trust more deeply. An invitation to walk forward with renewed faith, even when the road ahead is not fully clear. As Scripture reminds us, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).

At First & Wesley UMC, we enter 2026 thankful for all that God has already done among us. We have worshiped together faithfully, served our neighbors compassionately, and continued to be a church that opens its doors and its heart to the community. From our ministries of care and fellowship to our outreach beyond the walls of the church, God has used each act of faithfulness, large and small, for His glory.

Yet, we believe God is not finished with us.

In 2026, we are called to move forward with renewed commitment:

  • A deeper walk with Christ through prayer, worship, and the Word
  • A stronger sense of community where no one walks alone
  • A bold witness of love, justice, and mercy in our neighborhood and beyond

This new year invites us to examine not only what we do, but who we are becoming in Christ. It calls us to let go of fear, disappointment, and fatigue, and to embrace faith, expectation, and joy. The same God who carried us through yesterday is already present in our tomorrow.

As your pastor, I invite each of you to step into 2026 with an open heart. Come expecting God to move. Come ready to serve. Come willing to grow. Together, let us continue building a church that reflects Christ’s love; welcoming, compassionate, faithful, and alive in the Spirit.

May 2026 be a year of renewal, restoration, and revival for you and your family. May God grant you peace in uncertainty, strength in challenge, and joy in every season. And may First & Wesley United Methodist Church continue to be a place where lives are touched, hope is restored, and Christ is glorified.

Happy New Year, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ guide us every step of the way.

With gratitude and hope,

Rev. Frank Sarpong
Pastor, First & Wesley United Methodist Church