A New Year
Happy New Year from The Chapel!
As we wrap up celebrating Christmas and turn the page to a new year, there are probably lots of hopes and dreams you’re carrying into 2026. The reality is…some of those things will pan out. And lots won’t.
I hope to run the Seaside Half Marathon.
Right now, that’s already looking a bit iffy.
I hope to see some new National Parks.
Currently, there are zero trips planned.
I hope to read more.
But my reading has decreased over the past few weeks, which makes it hard to believe I’m suddenly going to flip a switch tonight.
Yesterday I was talking with one of my sons and he said, “I’m gonna give up smoking for the New Year!”
One of us responded, “I’m proud of you buddy, that’s really hard to do.”
He’s in middle school.
Starting new rhythms, taking on new habits, and letting go of old ones is hard.
Years ago, a student in my college ministry said, “You win some, you lose most.”
I think she was right. Some of us may be successful with our resolutions, but most of us will throw in the towel on new habits sometime before MLK weekend.
But what if there was a simple, accessible way to focus on the things we do have control over?
And what if we didn’t try to do it alone?
Running more, seeing more parks, reading more…even giving up smoking…those are all great goals, and I genuinely hope you pursue good things this year. But my hope for you, and for us as a church, is that we would take on a rhythm of growing in prayer, scripture, and fasting as we begin this new year…and we don’t go at it alone.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve shared tools to help grow in these areas. So this January, we’re going to do it together.
Here’s what we’re doing:
Starting tomorrow, January 1st, we’re inviting you into 21 Days of Prayer, Scripture, and Fasting. Each day you’ll receive:
- One verse from Romans
- One complementary, longer passage of Scripture
For example, tomorrow’s reading is Romans 12:1 and Psalm 51:10–17.
My hope is that when you wake up, before you open your phone, turn on the news, eat breakfast, or check the stocks, you’d sit down for a few moments:
- Thank God the Father for another day.
- Invite the Spirit to guide your reading.
- Ask Jesus to reveal new ways to follow Him and live like Him.
Read Romans 12:1 and Psalm 51:10–17.
Reflect on what stands out; words, ideas, invitations, or ways to live it out.
Then reread Romans 12:1 and try committing it to memory.
You might even pray the passage, inserting yourself into it, like this:
God, by your mercy, help me to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you, which is my spiritual worship.
Ask God what He may be inviting you into.
Then close in prayer.
For those who are up for the challenge, I’d also encourage you to consider fasting or abstaining in some way during these 21 days:
- Fast until you complete your prayer and reading time, or until dinner each day (except Sundays/Sabbath).
- Abstain from social media or 24-hour news.
- Try the Daniel Fast (fruits and vegetables only).
- Do the reading and prayer, then go on a daily prayer walk or run.
Choose something that fits your season of life; something that creates healthy rhythms and keeps turning your heart back toward Jesus.
We’ll also have 3 Wednesdays where we’ll gather to pray and worship at 9 a.m. It will be similar to our noon prayer hours we’ve done in the past. Come and go as you need on Wednesday, January 7th, 14th, and 21st at 9 a.m. Nate will lead us in live reflective times of worship, bookended with prayer prompts from Sarah. It really is a wonderful time.
On top of all that, each Sunday, during these 21 Days, we’ll be focusing on the scripture we are reading. So, this will continue to help you grow in your faith and knowledge from all sides over the next 3 weeks.
The hope is that by January 22nd, you’ll have formed such good spiritual rhythms that you won’t want to stop…plus, you’ll have officially made it past the MLK weekend hump.
Plus, you will have spent 21 days, hopefully memorizing Romans 12.
I hope you’ll consider joining us in this 21-day challenge. We handed out bookmarks the past couple of weeks, and a they’re also linked in this email. We’ll have more on Sunday as well.
This Sunday is Communion Sunday. Join us at 9:00 a.m. for a brief communion service, followed by coffee, and then worship at 10:00 a.m.
I’m excited to begin this new year and see all that God has for us. For more on prayer, scripture, and fasting, check out the resource pages on Spiritual Disciplines and Practices, with great content from our friends at Practicing the Way.
As we also close out the year, if you feel led to make a year-end gift, we’d be grateful for your support. God is doing incredible things in and through this community, and we’re thankful for each of you and your amazing generosity. Just click here to go to our giving platform, Church Center. You can go to thechapelatseaside.com/give to easily give online as well as update your email address or other information for your 2025 taxes.
And a few other things.
During January, there will be NO Tuesday Noon Prayer or Wednesday Bible Study, as we focus on the 21 Days of Prayer, Scripture, and Fasting together.
• Tuesday Noon Prayer begins Tuesday, February 3rd.
• Men’s & Women’s Bible Study begins Wednesday, February 4th, Men at 8 a.m. and Women at 9:30 a.m. We’ll both be studying the book of Ephesians.
• Two Sunday Services Coming Soon. As our congregation continues to grow, we’re excited to share that we’ll be launching two services starting in February.
Let me know if you have any questions.
I hope to see you on Sunday.
Blessings,
Andrew