24 Hopes for 24 (Not totally in order)

I hope the names on my prayer list find out that Jesus changes everything.I hope the names on your prayer list find Jesus too (you are daily praying for folks to find Jesus, aren’t you?)I hope the wars in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza endI hope the neighbors of Central Church think the church is a great neighbor.I hope people don’t go nuts during this election yearI hope you consider reading the Bible-through-in-a-yearI hope Conrad’s first word is “Grandpa”I hope the Lions win the Super Bowl (vs. the Kansas City Chiefs… so I can up trash-talking skills to my friends in KC)I hope the Michigan Wolverines win a National Championship in football (see above trash-talking skills which I would apply mostly to my Buckeye and Sparty fan friends).I hope gun violence in the United States declines (I hope it was no more)I hope the people who disagree with each other can have a charitable conversations.I hope the USA wins the most medals in the Paris OlympicsI hope all those caring for a sick spouse, elderly parent or special needs child can find a bit of rest and relief.I hope people talking with phone on speaker at any store will run out of battery (the lone exception: When a husband is facetiming his wife to get her opinion on which holiday napkins to purchase. His choice will be wrong and another trip to Wal-mart will happen without such call.  Or so I’ve been told… ahem…). I hope the lonely find a friendI hope the afraid find courage and strength and a place to freely express their concerns.I hope ALL CAPS people stop using ALL CAPS! I hope that everyone feels welcome to attend Central Church. (By “Everyone” I mean anyone. If breathing… they are welcome).I hope the Pistons win at least one game in 2024 (a bigger hope than you might think)I hope people who back into parking spaces in a crowded parking lot know that irritates some people (ahem, pastors included)I hope everyone knows what a great team of pastors, office staff, facility crew, tech team and nursery staff we are blessed with at Central churchI hope we all are a little more grateful and a little more generous and a little less cranky in 2024I hope you decide to be in church mostly in person (on-line when unable) every Sunday in 2024.I hope every reader of my lil’ 24 Hope List has a very good and happy New Year!

BONUS HOPE: I hope you and your family will end the year in church this Sunday! (Even better if its Central Church). –technically that is my last “hope” of 2023.