For All The Has Been, Thanks!  For All That Shall Be, Yes!

In 1961, Swedish diplomat and Secretary General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold died in an airplane crash as he traveled to a warring region in Africa to try to broker peace. Dag was a Christian of deep faith and called his work “preventive diplomacy.” After his death, Dag’s family went through his belongings and found a spiritual journal where he wrote reflections about his journey with God. When Dag left his beloved Sweden to go to New York to lead the United Nations he recorded these words:
For all that has been, thanks! For all that shall be, yes!

As you think about your financial support for Jamestown United Methodist Church in the coming year, please take some time to reflect on Dag’s journal entry. Look at the past and count your blessings. Consider all the good things that God has done through the people and ministries of this congregation. Would you consider that Jamestown United Methodist Church is one of the greatest blessings God has placed in your life? The Apostle Paul encouraged us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” One of the key ways we express our gratitude is by supporting the ministry of this church in the sharing of the gospel.

Just as it is important to look back with gratitude to God, it is critical as a follower of Jesus to look ahead with hope and say “yes” to what God will be doing in the future at Jamestown United Methodist Church. In sending Jesus into the world, God said yes to all of us. This is how the Apostle Paul says it, “… in him it is always yes. For in him every one of God’s promises is a yes” (2 Cor. 1:18-20). We say yes to God because God first said yes to us in Jesus Christ. Despite all the uncertainties and anxieties that exist in our world today, we can say yes to that unknown future because we trust that God is always present to lead and guide us in ways we never could have expected. As we move into the new year, consider once again saying yes to God’s personal call on your life. How are you planning to serve God and say yes with your time, talent, and treasure? God has said yes to us in Jesus Christ and now God is asking you to say yes to whatever God is calling us to do next in reaching more people with the great Good News of the gospel.

If you would like to make your 2023 Annual Pledge, click the image below to access the pledge form for 2023.