Devotion - a simple approach to the New Year

 Every year December 31 leads into January 1....the new year...

As Christians this is a good opportunity to reflect, pray, plan, act and reflect again

Reflect

On a bible reading - Isaiah 43:16-21, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6a or Matthew 25:31-46

Greatest Commandment - How have you experienced or lived out the Greatest Commandment of loving God and loving others?

Great Commission - Who have you shared Jesus with, or invited to meet Jesus?

On your life  -  What or who can you give thanks for?   What do you need to seek forgiveness for?  What needs some attention?  What are you needing help with?

Pray

Pray about what ever pops up in your mind related to the Bible Reading, Greatest Commandment, Great Commission or Your life.   

Plan

Consider where God is calling you....and what is prompted from your prayer time, that leads into the next year. 

What practical things do you need to put into place?

Who do you need to contact and seek help, guidance or assistance from?

What changes may you need to make and need God's help with?

Put things in your diary or draw up a schedule of activities that help you? 

Act

Pray every day for God's help 

Do things that follow your plan. 

Do things in ways that help you keep connected with God, reflect God (Greatest Commandment), connect others with God (Great Commission).  

and be prepared for God to surprise you 

New Year's devotional exercise

This New Year's devotional exercise developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes focuses on living the new life God calls us to live in 2016....

This exercise can be undertaken as a individual or as a group...
Some options you may wish to consider is to:

• lengthen the reflection time
• if you are with others spend time sharing your reflections

Praying this devotional exercise blesses you 

2016 New Year devotional exercise powerpoint

2016 New Year devotional exercise handout

2014 New Years eve and New Years day ideas

New years eve is a great opportunity to spend time with God and other Christians, reflecting on the year gone and preparing of the year ahead
Following are some suggestions that may help you in your New Years eve and day planning.

New Years Eve worship service with stations

LifeWay suggestions for New Years Eve

United Church of Christ Watch Night Service

African American Lectionary Watch Night Service

Textweek suggestions

Reformed worship ideas

Messiah Lutheran Church - Worship ideas you can use

Creative Youth Ideas

Skit Guys videos

Bible Readings recommended by the Lutheran Church of Australia
31 Dec 14 New Year’s Eve
Jeremiah 24:1-7 The vision of the two baskets of figs
Psalm 102:24-28
1 Peter 1:22-25 We are born anew by the word of God
Luke 13:6-9 The parable of the unfruitful fig tree

1 Jan 15 New Year’s Day
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 For everything there is a time
Psalm 8
Revelation 21:1-6a A new heaven and a new earth
Matthew 25:31-46 The last judgment

Resources for New Years Eve and Day Services

Hey did you know that New Year's eve is probably the largest celebration throughout the world?
Now think about what that means for us as Christians...
Do we just go along with the celebration?
Or is it possible for us to to shape the New Years eve celebrations in such away they reflect God...God's promises...God's perspective....God's commands....and that God is present?
Here is a challenge...pray God will give you an insight into how he might use you and your congregation to help others gain some of God this New Year's eve.....


Lutheran Church of Australia
New Years Eve
New Years Day 


Reformed Worship themes

Includes:   
Looking Ahead Through the Psalms
Teach Us to Number Our Days
From Lament to Praise
Choosing a Solid Rock
The Book of Uncommon Prayer: Contemplative and Celebratory Prayers and Worship Services for Youth Ministry
New Every Morning
The King of Glory Comes
Twelve Grapes at Midnight

Textweek New Years Eve/Day
includes:
Texts
Commentaries
Complete liturgies
prayers
hymns
graphics 
Children's Resources


Ideas for Christian skits for Kids at New Year's Eve

New Years eve prayer from St Johns Lutheran Church Unley


New Years Day and Eve Sermons from Sermon Central

5 Lutheran Sermons for New Years Eve
No Separation
He was called Jesus
Nothing New
More than we have
Romans 8:31-39


I am sure there are some further creative and ideas out there...If you have know of something or have put together something that you will believe will help others....please email them to me richardschwedes@gmail.com