Opening Prayer: Almighty God, give me vision to see how You want to work through me this year. I want to make this a year of growth in Your wonderful Grace. Amen.

Read: Philippians 3:7-14
Reflect: What do Paul’s words mean for us as we continue our growth in Christ? How are “knowing Christ,” and “being made perfect” related? What practical steps for knowing Christ can you find in this passage?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “Rock of Ages”
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hid myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Could my tears forever flow,
Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to wounds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Closing Prayer: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ~Colossians 4:5-6