Poems for the New Year, 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR

(An acrostic poem where the first letter of each line
spells out the title of the poem)

Heaven’s gift of another year
As the old departs and the new is born,
Plans for a future and a hope
Preparing us for each new dawn.

Yesterday has gone forever,
New days and ventures lie ahead,
Even darkness turns to light
When we make the Lord our head.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit
Ever mindful that He’s there,
As we live our lives before Him
Rejoicing in His loving care.

By Megan Carter

A New Year’s resolution-prayer – following in His footsteps

Almighty eternal, just and merciful God, grant us the desire to do only what pleases you, and the strength to do only what you command.  Cleanse our souls, enlighten our minds, and inflame our hearts with your Holy Spirit, that we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

St Francis of Assisi (1182 – 1226) 

As a New Year begins

A prayer by Karl Barth (1886 – 1968).  This most prominent Protestant theologian of his time spent much of his life resisting the Nazi movement, and knew the importance of entering a New Year undaunted by troubles all around him. 

O Lord, our Father! At the turn of the year… our hearts are filled with sombre thoughts…   our ears are deafened by the voices of the radio and the newspapers, with their numerous predictions for the coming year. Instead we want to hear Your word, Your voice, Your assurance, Your guidance.  We know that You are in our midst, and are eager to give us all that we need, whether we ask or not.

…We ask for one thing only: that you collect our scattered thoughts, getting rid of the confused and defiant thoughts that may distract us, and thus enable us to concentrate on your limitless generosity to us.  You were abundantly generous to us last year, and will be no less generous to us next year, and in every year to come.  Fill us with gratitude to you.

Collected by Bill Marshall, Session Clerk