End of the Year Message 2025
From the desk of
REV. DR. CHINMA UCHE
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The year 2025 is fast drawing to a close. Thanks be to God for bringing us to this time of the year.
I pray and believe that you had a great Christmas, to the Glory of God. Thanks be to God that God’s great gift for us is God himself. God came in human form to be with us and walk along us as we navigate the joys, concerns and challenges of this life. Our Lord chose to come in the form of a baby: weak, vulnerable and needing care. Thank God that he grew and fulfilled his role and brought us salvation. Thanks be to God that through faith in the child of Bethlehem, we can walk with pride and joy while anticipating the culmination of God’s kingdom when Jesus returns in glory. Halleluiah! Our God is good!
I write to thank all of you who have committed your lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his ministry on earth. Thank you for the work you do in church, directly or indirectly. The child, Jesus, came to “save his people from their sins.” So, however you see yourself, sinner or saint, Jesus came for your good, to offer you salvation and a way forward. Embrace him and let the Holy Spirit work with you and guide you to all righteousness regardless of your circumstances.
Jesus set the agenda for all who love him in Matthew 28: 18-20, saying:
18 … “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What a commission! I cannot imagine anything better. Glory be to God!
Through the statement above, Jesus commissioned, and still commissions, us to go bring others to know him. The commission is a timeless call to all believers. Some of us who have been attending our Wednesday Bible Study know what this commission meant to the early Christians. It involved delving into new areas, facing challenging circumstances and a lot of sacrifice, to bring the gospel to those who have not heard it. It may also speak to those who have heard and not fully explored the gospel. The need to proclaim the gospel throughout the whole was emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10. The early disciples followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obeyed as God led them. In our world where there is so much suffering and pain, the gospel message of God’s love remains more relevant and is needed. The challenge is the question in Isaiah 6:8, where God asks: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
As we enter a new Church year, and a new Calendar year, let us recommit ourselves to fulfilling our commission as 21st century disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, loving each other as ourselves and bearing each other’s burden and seeking the lost. We know that we serve a good God who sees and knows us and rewards faithfulness.
We will begin the New Year with a Covenant Renewal Service on January 4, 2026. On Sunday, January 11, we will install our new Church officers. I am deeply grateful to all those who answered the call to serve at Bloomfield UMC. As you work in God’s vineyard, the Lord God Almighty will work in yours and make crooked places straight. Even though some of us were not specifically asked to perform specific pieces of work and roles in the church, the Lord still expects each of us to fulfill our ministry. Every child of God is a minister of the Gospel. Every child of God has a story, a testimony. As we share what God has done for us, God will do more for us and give us more to testify to, to the glory of God’s Holy name. So, embrace your blessings and your challenges and share them freely as God leads you. You and your gifts are important to the body of Christ. If there is a role you would like to play in the church, please let us talk about it. Your talents, gifts and blessings are welcome and can always be used in God’s work on earth and to God’s glory.
Our church is doing a lot right; thanks be to God, but there is still a lot of work to do as we seek to impact our community with the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our new leaders will guide us to new heights, in line with the will of God. Please pray for them.
I cannot finish this message without thanking God for our children. What a blessing! They are being raised well in the fear of the Lord. I watched them perform at the Metropolitan AME Zion Church and at our church on Christmas Sunday. Thank you to the Scholarship Committee who did not hold back until 2026 to start their work. Glory be to God! By the grace of God, they were able to make presentations on Christmas Sunday, to all our children and to Sister Saleena for her investment in the young peoples’ spiritual growth. Thank you to all who are contributing, in one way or the other, to make our church a welcome place for young people. As Sister Yvonne often reminds us from Matthew 19:14, Jesus said “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them”.
I count myself so blessed to be appointed to Bloomfield UMC, thanks be to God, where I have people who have selflessly devoted themselves to the church of Jesus Christ. If I have not mentioned your name, remember that God knows your name, loves you and will bless you. Look to the future with an expectant lens, looking for what God is doing and will do with God’s church.
For those who welcomed the new born king with special gifts, I thank you. It is a great thing to give to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will reward you beautifully. As God has given you, give to the Lord’s work. If you would like to give, but do not have to give at this time, do not feel bad, God understands. Our God looks at the heart and does not judge as people judge. He judges fairly. God is faithful and will meet each of us at the point of our need.
I am so looking forward to the New Year with great hope and positive anticipation. I want to leave us at this moment with a reminder of Psalm 23 (NKJV):
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;- You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let God’s goodness and mercy follow (and remain with, you in Jesus’ name).
With love, gratitude and grace! Happy New Year!
Pastor Chinma
From the desk of
REV. DR. CHINMA UCHE
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The year 2025 is fast drawing to a close. Thanks be to God for bringing us to this time of the year.
I pray and believe that you had a great Christmas, to the Glory of God. Thanks be to God that God’s great gift for us is God himself. God came in human form to be with us and walk along us as we navigate the joys, concerns and challenges of this life. Our Lord chose to come in the form of a baby: weak, vulnerable and needing care. Thank God that he grew and fulfilled his role and brought us salvation. Thanks be to God that through faith in the child of Bethlehem, we can walk with pride and joy while anticipating the culmination of God’s kingdom when Jesus returns in glory. Halleluiah! Our God is good!
I write to thank all of you who have committed your lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his ministry on earth. Thank you for the work you do in church, directly or indirectly. The child, Jesus, came to “save his people from their sins.” So, however you see yourself, sinner or saint, Jesus came for your good, to offer you salvation and a way forward. Embrace him and let the Holy Spirit work with you and guide you to all righteousness regardless of your circumstances.
Jesus set the agenda for all who love him in Matthew 28: 18-20, saying:
18 … “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What a commission! I cannot imagine anything better. Glory be to God!
Through the statement above, Jesus commissioned, and still commissions, us to go bring others to know him. The commission is a timeless call to all believers. Some of us who have been attending our Wednesday Bible Study know what this commission meant to the early Christians. It involved delving into new areas, facing challenging circumstances and a lot of sacrifice, to bring the gospel to those who have not heard it. It may also speak to those who have heard and not fully explored the gospel. The need to proclaim the gospel throughout the whole was emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10. The early disciples followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obeyed as God led them. In our world where there is so much suffering and pain, the gospel message of God’s love remains more relevant and is needed. The challenge is the question in Isaiah 6:8, where God asks: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
As we enter a new Church year, and a new Calendar year, let us recommit ourselves to fulfilling our commission as 21st century disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, loving each other as ourselves and bearing each other’s burden and seeking the lost. We know that we serve a good God who sees and knows us and rewards faithfulness.
We will begin the New Year with a Covenant Renewal Service on January 4, 2026. On Sunday, January 11, we will install our new Church officers. I am deeply grateful to all those who answered the call to serve at Bloomfield UMC. As you work in God’s vineyard, the Lord God Almighty will work in yours and make crooked places straight. Even though some of us were not specifically asked to perform specific pieces of work and roles in the church, the Lord still expects each of us to fulfill our ministry. Every child of God is a minister of the Gospel. Every child of God has a story, a testimony. As we share what God has done for us, God will do more for us and give us more to testify to, to the glory of God’s Holy name. So, embrace your blessings and your challenges and share them freely as God leads you. You and your gifts are important to the body of Christ. If there is a role you would like to play in the church, please let us talk about it. Your talents, gifts and blessings are welcome and can always be used in God’s work on earth and to God’s glory.
Our church is doing a lot right; thanks be to God, but there is still a lot of work to do as we seek to impact our community with the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our new leaders will guide us to new heights, in line with the will of God. Please pray for them.
I cannot finish this message without thanking God for our children. What a blessing! They are being raised well in the fear of the Lord. I watched them perform at the Metropolitan AME Zion Church and at our church on Christmas Sunday. Thank you to the Scholarship Committee who did not hold back until 2026 to start their work. Glory be to God! By the grace of God, they were able to make presentations on Christmas Sunday, to all our children and to Sister Saleena for her investment in the young peoples’ spiritual growth. Thank you to all who are contributing, in one way or the other, to make our church a welcome place for young people. As Sister Yvonne often reminds us from Matthew 19:14, Jesus said “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them”.
I count myself so blessed to be appointed to Bloomfield UMC, thanks be to God, where I have people who have selflessly devoted themselves to the church of Jesus Christ. If I have not mentioned your name, remember that God knows your name, loves you and will bless you. Look to the future with an expectant lens, looking for what God is doing and will do with God’s church.
For those who welcomed the new born king with special gifts, I thank you. It is a great thing to give to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will reward you beautifully. As God has given you, give to the Lord’s work. If you would like to give, but do not have to give at this time, do not feel bad, God understands. Our God looks at the heart and does not judge as people judge. He judges fairly. God is faithful and will meet each of us at the point of our need.
I am so looking forward to the New Year with great hope and positive anticipation. I want to leave us at this moment with a reminder of Psalm 23 (NKJV):
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;- You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let God’s goodness and mercy follow (and remain with, you in Jesus’ name).
With love, gratitude and grace! Happy New Year!
Pastor Chinma
