Thanks to everyone who stayed to help decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season. The sanctuary looks beautiful. Afterwards we gathered in the Parlor to consume a pot of “Stone Soup,” using stock from the Thanksgiving turkey and the contributions of those who stayed, including some kale and a rutabaga! Twelve people gathered at the parsonage on Thanksgiving Day to share the feast. I think a good time was had by all. Certainly no one went away hungry. The event seemed to work well enough that we will most likely repeat it next year,
I don’t want to be a nag about the Time and Talent Surveys, but so far only 10 responses have been received. As I said last week, I’m no big fan of surveys but it would be really helpful to the church leadership in planning for the future to know what your interests are and something about your willingness and ability to serve our congregation. Even if you think we already know what you’re doing and willing to do, please take time (only a few minutes) to fill out the form and turn it in. You may discover something new or different that interests you. You may want to be liberated from something you’ve done for a while. You may come up with some creative ideas we hadn’t thought about. Take this opportunity to communicate with us. It will be much appreciated.
Advent continues this week with an emphasis on Peace. The text from Isaiah is his magnificent hymn to the “Peaceable Kingdom.” Both this text and the Psalm for the day invoke a style of leadership that is marked by justice, righteousness, wisdom, and shalom. Perhaps he will want to pray such prayers and sing such as songs as we consider a transition of leadership in our own land. In the gospel reading, John the Baptist excoriates the religious leaders of his day for the failure to grasp the need for such leadership among themselves. He predicts that One is coming who will sort this all out and make things right. Pastor Gregory will be preaching this Sunday and we will celebrate Communion.
In Adult Spiritual Formation we will continue our exploration of Jesus’ birth and the meaning of incarnation in his time and ours. Afterwards, the Lunch Bunch will gather at Mike’s on Middlefield. Let Melanie Ramirez or Alan Plessinger know if you’re planning to attend,
Plan to join in the joy of the day, beginning with worship at 10:00 AM and continuing through the education hour and lunch. Bring someone else along to share the day with you.
Together, let us strive…to know God’s love!
Pastor Rick
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