New Year’s Eve is a great time for reflection and thanksgiving. Our gracious Lord has done marvelous things in our midst in 2025! We can’t but praise Him for His many blessings and ongoing care of us. God has continued to graciously build our church family in every way. As there have been ups and downs this year, there have been times to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. It’s been wonderful to see families and singles, young and old, growing together in the worship of and service to the living and triune God. We celebrated the blessing of new babies. Our young ones playing and building relationship with each other has been a joy to watch. Our young adults singing with one another after worship, growing in friendship and fellowship. Our singles serving through encouragement, conversation, fellowship, using their gifts and skills, etc. I could go on and on. Here are a few more highlights to be thankful for:
In March of this year, Mr. Sam Miller and Mr. Will Tejeda were ordained and installed as new ruling elders. Mr. Robert Matias and Mr. Chad Danovsky were ordained and installed as new deacons. We praise God for the faithful service of Elder John Terpstra as an augmented elder on our Session since 2022. Elder Terpstra stepped off our Session in September this year.
Six new families and single adults were added into membership in our flock. In addition, the current membership class continues, along with the Communicants class that has a good number of kids in it who are preparing to publicly profess their faith in Christ. There has been a steady flow of visitors, some becoming regular attenders. God also blessed us with many covenant baptisms. Five covenant children received the sign and seal of baptism in 2025. We thank God for all of our covenant children and the growing number of them!
God has blessed us through the preaching and teaching of His Word! The elders taught Sunday School 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 preached through Joel, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and 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 been kept up to date. Pastor has also been teaching his “Heroes of the Reformation” and “Biblical Hebrew for Beginners” classes. 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. Especially considering the addition of two deacons to our Diaconate, our deacons have done excellent and expanded work in caring for the flock this year.
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 with Elder Lewis on separate occasions. You can find those addresses HERE and HERE.
The 2nd Annual Heritage Hoedown didn’t disappoint! It was a boot scootin’ good time.
Heritage ladies had a lot of fun at park days, book club, fellowship, as well as the “Christmas Cookie Exchange” and Hoekstra’s Christmas party! Men’s Breakfast, along with other fellowship opportunities, has been a tremendous monthly blessing to the men of our church, young and old!
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 2026!