January 11, 2026

Happy New Year, Church Family!

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we could ask or imagine.” I remember this Bible verse as the theme verse for the retreat I attended at 15 years old when I was called to the ministry. It was so fitting for what God was communicating to me at that young age. God was reminding me that he could do more in my life than I could ever imagine for myself. I had no idea that weekend what my calling would turn into 15 years later. I didn’t understand the details. I didn’t know how I was supposed to explore this calling. I still had so many questions. But God had good plans that he wanted to work within me and they would be abundantly more than my wildest dreams. I still believe that today.

I’ve been reflecting on this verse in the context of our church for the new year. What would it look like for us to believe that God is going to accomplish abundantly more than we could imagine at Oxford First UMC? How would our faith grow and our perspective shift? How would our service and volunteering change? I believe that if we truly had faith that God is going to do more than we could imagine in our church… then we would dream bigger and try new things… we would throw ourselves fully into a ministry… we would speak words of positivity and hope about the future of our church… we would expect God to do more… we would trust God rather than worry or try to do it all ourselves.
​
Think about the things you’ve asked God to accomplish in our church. Maybe you’ve asked for God to grow our youth group and bring young families to our congregation. Maybe you’ve asked God to reach new people through our Soup for the Soul and Food Distribution. Maybe you’ve asked God to grow our faith and set our hearts on fire for the Holy Spirit. Or maybe you have dreams that seem too far-fetched for you to even utter the words. A full sanctuary every Sunday. Conversions and baptisms this year. A growing bank account that’s able to provide for every ministry need. Does it seem impossible? God says that he is able to do ABUNDANTLY and EXCEEDINGLY more than we ask! All these things we ask for, God won’t only meet… but God can exceed. But if we simply shrug our shoulders, scoff at a dream, say “it’s always been done this way,” or complain about how it used to be… then we are not open to God’s work within us.

I pray this new year that you enlarge your prayers, expand your dreams, and stretch your faith. Let us believe, truly believe, that God can do abundantly more. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Delaney