A New Year’s Message from Our Pastor
by the Rev. Dr. James Butler
Happy 2026! Although the new year has come, I am still enjoying my Christmas afterglow. One of the pastoral perks I have enjoyed at LPC these past 25 years is Advent and Christmas in a gorgeous sanctuary, heart-warming carols and service music, the annual children’s pageant, and of course, the beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service. It’s a team effort, so I send my heart-felt thanks to Kaori and Aliyah and all the volunteers who sang and played and decorated and helped to make these last five weeks of Advent and Christmas so incredibly wonderful yet again.
Now, about 2026… Come what may, I am determined to live in the joy and service of God as a follower of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. I will count my blessings, “name them one by one,” and not succumb to the darker moods and outlooks that are swirling around. I strongly suspect we will all experience negative effects from the choices and actions (and inaction!) of the majority of the American public in recent years. I do not pretend to be a “seer,” but I have a strong hunch that 2026 could be a year full of jaw-dropping, anxious events in terms of the economy and national political leadership. I say this not as a partisan citizen (which I am), but as your pastor. I have been trying to prepare you so that you will not be caught without “oil in your lamps…” (Matthew 25:1-13). I think America, and much of the world, is at an inflection point. Many of our democratic norms have been disregarded. Sixty-seven percent of the nation’s wealth is held by ten percent of its citizens while a handful of American oligarchs grow rich beyond imagination. Given the actions of Congressional leaders, more people will lose health insurance and access to medical care in 2026. And then there are those mysterious “drones” appearing in the skies all over the world, even over American military bases. 2026 could be the year we find out what “it” is. And if “it” is not of this world, there will be theological upheaval among the fundamentalist adherents in this world’s religions. Brace.
I am praying (seriously!) that pain will once again be a good teacher and cause us to make better, healthier choices. Times like these are opportunities for the church to hold fast to its moral and ethical bearings based on the teachings and practices of Jesus and the early church — things like modesty, careful stewardship of financial resources, and leaning into our decision to follow the compassionate principles embedded in Jesus’ parables in Matthew 25. Jesus said we are “the light of the world” and that our mission is to shine the light of Christ in places of darkness and despair. There are many of them right now and more may come before the “Great Turning” (as in meaningful and action-filled repentance and remorse) begins.
So, let’s do this, people of God! Let’s start each day in 2026 inviting the Holy Spirit to use us and LPC for good purposes as the world turns and groans and comes back to its better nature. And we must trust that “all things,” even mysterious, mind-bending, and terrible and selfish things done by powerful people, “can work together for good for those who love God and are called to good purposes” (Romans 8:28). I wish you divine joy, peace and freedom.
The Music Corner with Dr. Kaori Hongo
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and meaningful Christmas and New Year’s Day. As I look at the coming months of a new year, I have been asking myself how we can be a light to the community around us and to the world. Epiphany is the perfect time to reflect on how God can guide us (like the star for the Magi) and show us how we can start this year with mindfulness and with intention. As I was preparing this article, I stumbled across a beautiful poem by Jan Richardson, which imagines the coming year as a “house.”
The Year as a House: A Blessing
Think of the year as a house:
door flung wide in welcome,
threshold swept and waiting,
a graced spaciousness
opening and offering itself to you.Let it be blessed in every room.
Let it be hallowed in every corner.
Let every nook be a refuge
and every object set to holy use.Let it be here that safety will rest.
Let it be here that health will make its home.
Let it be here that peace will show its face.
Let it be here that love will find its way.Here let the weary come
let the aching come
let the lost come
let the sorrowing come.Here let them find their rest
and let them find their soothing
and let them find their place
and let them find their delight.And may it be in this house of a year
that the seasons will spin in beauty,
and may it be in these turning days
that time will spiral with joy.
And may it be that its rooms will fill
with ordinary grace
and light spill from every window
to welcome the stranger home.
Wherever you make your home, may it be blessed, and may you enter this Epiphany and the coming year in peace.
Outreach Opportunity: Meals for People Sheltering at Metanoia
Would you like to be a part of LPC’s mission to support those who are without shelter and in need of a warm meal? Do you enjoy cooking?
Metanoia’s seasonal shelter opened their doors last year on November 23. LPC, through the Mission, Outreach and Justice Ministry (MOJ), has committed to providing meals for 40-45 people on at least 11 evenings this season. Would you consider preparing meals at home or in LPC’s kitchen one of those evenings for Metanoia’s guests? If so, contact Cindy or Terry Dugan for scheduling information and to answer any questions you may have.
Main course and sides are a meal, and desserts, drinks, ground coffee, creamer and plasticware are always appreciated. Copies of meal suggestions provided by Metanoia are on the ledge outside the church office. If you would like to provide a portion of the meals, you can invite someone to join you to provide the other portion or contact Cindy Dugan who will be happy to facilitate that assistance/partnership. Our church has a budget line item to reimburse you for the food purchased. Also, LPC supplies plates, napkins and cups.
Meals are to be delivered between 6 and 6:30 p.m. on the designated evening to Mt. Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 11115 Kinsman Road, Cleveland. You are welcome to stay and serve. If you would like to prepare but not deliver your meals, please contact Terry or Cindy Dugan or Jim Butler.
Last year while helping serve a meal, an LPC volunteer asked a young man if he had been caught in the rain earlier that day. He responded, “No, but where I work lost power for a little bit.” That interaction was a reminder that not everyone experiencing homelessness is unemployed.
Thank you for being Christ’s hands and feet by feeding those who are hungry! To read more about Metanoia, visit:
https://www.metanoiaproject.org
Unexpected Generosity
Jim and I were asked by our friend, Grant, if he could help the next time we volunteered for the Metanoia Project. At his work place, the employees were given a gift of a prepared frozen lasagna. When Grant told his co-workers about the Metanoia Project, six of them, including his boss, offered up their lasagna to pass on to us. Other friends heard about this and wanted to help. Meghan provided brownies. Zandra and Pete provided apples and bananas. On December 4, Grant and his wife Gina, Jim’s brother Jack, and Jim and I prepared and served the meal at the Mt. Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland. There was enough lasagna for seconds and for to-go’s. No one went to sleep hungry. We are glad we could spread the gift of giving to others.
–Jim and Carole Cox
Adult Faith Formation: “Deep Thoughts”
Sundays, January 4, 11, 18 & 25
Do you remember that skit on Saturday Night Live called “Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey?” Jack would present dark and sarcastic statements that were anything but deep and probing, but usually very funny. On the four Sundays in January, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore several deep thoughts and questions that people have been wondering about for centuries, whether they are Christians, agnostics, or followers of other religions. For example, “Why are we here?” “What is a miracle?” “Do things really happen ‘for a reason?’” “Are there ghosts?” “Do non-Christians go to hell?” “Must I believe that _______?” Participants can bring their own deep thoughts and questions for discussion. Adult Faith Formation is held in Wright Chapel from 11:20 a.m. to noon.
LPC Kids’ Club Upcoming Schedule
Annual Congregational Meeting: Save the Date!
The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 1 following worship.
Appreciation for Staff Christmas Gift
Much appreciation and thanks to all those who donated to the Staff Christmas Fund. Your gifts will be used to spread holiday cheer to the staff and their families. From Carolyn Fordosi, Sara Gresh, Kaori Hongo, Kim Hook, Aliyah Kennedy and Scott Schreibman. The staff wishes everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
End-of-Year Financial Reminders
2026 PLEDGE/CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION
For those who receive them, pledge / contribution envelopes for 2026 will be available in the Atrium beginning December 21. After the first of the year, they will be available in the church office. If you do not receive envelopes and wish to have them, please contact Sara Gresh at 216-226-0514.
For those who wish to pay their 2025 pledge or prepay their 2026 pledge by the end of December, please note that the envelope must be received or postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The contribution records will be closed December 31, no exceptions.
2025 PER CAPITA REMINDER
If you have not already done so, please consider paying your per capita apportionment in addition to your pledge. The 2025 per capita amount is $40.00 per member. Please note “per capita” on the memo line of your check. Per capita for 2026 ($40.00) will be collected after January 1, 2026.