Churches Shift To New Year Themes

For many churches, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a nice break.

The holiday pageants are over, the handbell choirs can nurse their sore wrists and church employees enjoy a week of vacation.

But while this weekend’s schedules may be shorter, the messages are no less important than usual. They could be some of the most motivating sermons of any in the year.

The Rev. Gary Weber, pastor of the Valley Church of Christ, says he uses the New Year’s weekend as a time to talk about commitments, sure, but also about optimism.

“I say a lot of things about resolutions and being able to start over again, not being guilt-ridden,” he says. “I try to get them to see things in a new light, to not give up.”

Weber says New Year’s resolutions revolve around the same subjects that are always on people’s minds. Renewing personal relationships is a big one. His job is to give his congregation the feeling that the new year can be better.

“I think a lot of people need hope,” Weber says.

But do people follow through with their resolutions? Often not. Weber jokes about going to the gym and seeing it packed with new faces early in the year, many not to be seen again until the following January.

But when it comes to spiritual fitness, Weber would rather have people try anyway. Even if they fail to pump up their faith for long, it’s a start.

Valley Church of Christ, 17221 E. Broadway, has its New Year’s Eve service Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Valley Fourth Memorial Church, 2303 S. Bowdish, will have a family New Year’s Eve service at 10:30 a.m.

Christ Lutheran Church, corner of Broadway and McDonald, will have one Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. Usual services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. are cancelled.

Grace Harvest Fellowship, 24th and Sullivan, will have its usual Sunday service at 10 a.m. and a special New Year’s Eve message at 6 p.m.

Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, corner of Raymond and Main, has cancelled its 8:30 a.m. service. The Rev. Bob Roberts will deliver a Christmas-themed message at 11 a.m.

St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 503 N. Walnut Road, has a special Mass scheduled New Year’s Day at 9 a.m.

, DataTimes