Build your community in 2021

It is a New Year, 2021…
Yay?
….Maybe, not so much.

With all the anticipation of 2020 finally being over, it seems as if, at least so far, that 2021 is more of the same. Now granted, it has only been a week or so, but not much, if anything has changed. We are still in the midst of this pandemic. We are under restrictions for regular church gathering on Sunday. A lot of us are isolated, lonely, and just really tired of this whole thing. We are ready for it to be over.

I saw a funny meme on Facebook that really hit the nail on the head, it said “6 Days in to 2021….someone hit fast forward to 2022!” It made me laugh, but yet it also got me thinking about 2020.

Yes, 2020 has been a hard year. For many of us, a very painful year. We lost family members, we lost friends. Some to COVID, some to politics. A very rough year indeed.
But the moments from 2020 that I have found myself focusing on, the ones that put a smile on my face were the ones where my relationships with others grew stronger and more resilient. They were refined in many ways but are stronger now than they were a year ago. Relationships that had Christ at the center of them, solidified. I needed those relationships this past year. Those friends really helped me with their prayers, their encouragement, and great conversations (especially the times where we ended up laughing so hard, tears were running down my face). They were such a blessing.

Another common factor for all these relationships, these friendships, was small groups. They were all either started or grew deeper around our small group ministry here at Summit Ridge. There is something wonderful that happens when like-minded Christians intentionally gather together, study God’s word, pray for and with one another. Friendships are made, a community is made. I love it.

Now a lot of you are in total agreement with me, you love small groups. You thoroughly enjoy them. You enjoy meeting new people. You love the friends that you have made in small groups and look forward to making more next semester.

But there are others, reading this right now, who immediately had ten different excuses pop up in their head on why they won’t join a small group. Some are legitimate, others not so much.
But here is the thing - we need each other. We as a church need one another to get through these hard times. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, we don’t know if things are going to get better or worse. We just don’t know. But I do know, God is good, He is in control, and He brought you to Summit Ridge Church. God calls us to love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, and to care for one another. A great place for that to happen is through our small group ministry.

Small groups are great. I absolutely love them. I highly encourage each and every one of you to join a small group this semester.

Next week, we are launching our Spring 2021 semester for our small group ministry. If you are not a part of a small group, now is the perfect time to join one. Please visit our small groups page on our website and check out all our groups. At the bottom of the page, please fill out the form and join a group. The small group leader will reach out to you to give you the details for the group.

I love you church, see you on Sunday.

God Bless,
Pastor Jeremy