New Beginnings

Do you know what a wooble is? Me neither, that is, until a few years ago. Amber was talking with a youth student who had recently created a wooble. A wooble is a cute, beginner-friendly crochet kit that teaches you to make small stuffed animals. The kit includes pre-cut yarn, a crochet hook, patterns, video tutorials, and materials. The next Christmas, Amber received her first wooble as a present. She spent many nights learning the ins and outs of crocheting. In the end, she made a cute little fox, which looked exactly like it was shown on the box. Since then, she has upped her game to crocheting different styles of full-size blankets. I, however, have not tried my hand at crocheting…yet.

Here’s a testimonial from another Woobles user: “My mom, grandma, and 2 friends tried to teach me to crochet over the years, but I just couldn’t get it. I tried the Woobles and took off…at age 53! Excellent tutorials and literally step by step instructions. I made the penguin and the dinosaur. Now I can read patterns and make about anything! I highly recommend!

January often marks a season of new beginnings. Goals and resolutions are set with good intentions in mind. I wonder if sometimes the Holy Spirit nudges us into new beginnings this time of year as well, specifically in our spiritual lives. Maybe there is something new that lies ahead for you. It may not be crocheting, but maybe it’s serving in a new area, learning what your spiritual gift is, or taking a deeper dive into a Pathway Class or small group. There are lots of ways that God can use the New Year for transformation in your life. Are you open to those things?  

Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says, “I am confident that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Philippians 2:12-13 also says this, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” It’s in this tension where we find ourselves at the start of 2026.

January also marks a new beginning for our church! For the first time since 2003, SRBC will have a new, permanent pastor. Now that is something! So many in this church have faithfully prayed for our future since Harrison’s resignation in May of 2024. There have certainly been highs and lows in that year and a half. But I’m excited to welcome Pastor Ariel and his family as we get started on all kinds of ministry opportunities that lie ahead.

As we look to the New Year, maybe a simple prayer repeated each day will be helpful: “God, give me an open heart to what you have for me this year. Help me to listen and act obediently to everything you have in mind. Amen.”

I look forward to walking beside a great church, with new beginnings, in the year ahead!

Blessings,

Bryce