As 2024 has now past, it’s good to recognize how our Lord has walked with us, gone before us, protected us, and has provided for our every need. Beautifully, He has also done great things in and among us. We can joyfully say this has been true every year, by His grace, at Heritage. This past year was no different. In fact, there are many new and wonderful blessings to remember as we reflect on this past year.
The chief blessing we’ve continued to have is worshiping our great and gracious God together each Lord’s Day! In January, our church hosted the Winter Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Southwest. That was great for both our congregation and for the Presbytery! In June, Sadie Rumohr publicly professed her faith in Christ, becoming a communicant member. Praise the Lord!
Five new families were added into membership in our fold. In addition, the current membership class is finishing up soon. There has been a steady flow of visitors, some becoming regular attenders. God also blessed us with many covenant baptisms. Eleven covenant children received the sign and seal of baptism in 2024. We thank God for all of our covenant children and the growing number of them!
The Lord raised up men who spent the whole year training to possibly become elders and deacons in our church. Those who have expressed interest in pursuing office will be examined soon.
God has blessed us through the preaching and teaching of His Word! Elder Lewis, Will Tejeda, Sam Miller, and Chad Danovsky taught Sunday School lessons as we continue to make our way through the Westminster Larger Catechism. This has continued to be a good and edifying series. You can find that series HERE. I continued preaching through the Gospel of Matthew and the Psalms. You can find all of these recordings HERE. In addition, many editions in the “From the Pastor’s Pen” and “Bible Reading with Pastor” podcasts were recorded. The new “Our Weekly Standards” podcast has also be kept up to date.
Prayer Meeting has been of good encouragement for those who attend.
The Lord has been at work through Diaconal ministry as well this past year. Whether it be blessing members who have needs at home, to financial needs, to taking care of ministry, security, building coordination, church budget formation with our Treasurer, and buidling maintenance (to name a few), our deacon has done an excellent job in caring for the flock this year.
It has been wonderful to see how our Lord has also blessed many young people in the congregation. Our young ones (1-3 years old) are playing, running, and growing in relationship with each other. The same can be said of older children. In February, we were encouraged hearing Palmer Hoekstra’s report on his attendance at the OPC “Timothy Conference.” This conference is for young men who want to learn more about the work of pastoral ministry. Also, many students have continued their study in 2nd-year Koine Greek and Apologetics classes. It has also been wonderful to see the Spirit’s work in our young people as many meet after Worship to discuss the sermon and to pray, along with their time learning dances together, singing at the piano, and having fellowship with each other at other times.
Heritage ladies had a lot of fun at park days, the “Welcome to the Jungle” Baby Shower, as well as the “Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols” Christmas party! Men’s Breakfast has been a tremendous monthly blessing to the men of our church, young and old!
As part of our outreach, we’ve also had quarterly Psalm Sings at the Downtown Plaza and Landa Park in New Braunfels. God blessed with many good conversations and prayer with folks at the Farmer’s Market. I’ve done some street preaching, along with addressing the New Braunfels City Council. You can find that address here: https://youtu.be/OBJMi-
Another huge blessing in 2024 was our Inaugural Heritage Hoedown! Around 80 people attended and had a boot-scootin’ good time. Can’t wait for our next dance!
Beloved, these are some of the highlights of what has gone on in the life and ministry of our church this year! What other things come to your mind? How has God blessed you and your family? Let us all praise the Lord, and give thanks for His bountiful mercy to us! Let us also pray together for His continued grace and work for His glory in 2025!