Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
How about we all just take a deep breath in – hold it – breathe it out. If you need to do it over again, do so. It will soon get very busy. It always happens this time of the year. Breathe in – hold it – breathe out. If you worry about what is happening in our country and world, don’t forget we do not put our trust in mortals. Our trust is in God alone. It is God that is sovereign. It is God that is in control. It is God that rules. Always has and always will. Breathe in – hold it– breath out.
I know a lot of what I’m going to share in this letter is already in the Messenger and the bulletin. But I want to reinforce everything that has been written. Here we go:
- Next weekend is Stewardship Weekend. Please bring your time and talent cards to the service. We will have an opportunity, as a congregation, to walk up and put them in a container. Thank you Sarah for all the hard work you have put in this year. Remember to pray about it, listen to the stirring of the Holy Spirit in your heart and reflect how God has shown up in your life.
- November 30 and December 1 is the start of the new church year. It begins with Advent. It is a season of preparation, not for the birth of the Christ child, but preparing for the return of Jesus Christ. Many things are happening in the life of our church. This is what is going on:
- December 1 is the last day to bring food for the food baskets and for our students who are experiencing food insecurity. It is also the last day to bring presents for our children we are sponsoring. Make sure you take a look at the altar. Our love for others is on display.
- December 3 is the Youth and Family party at our church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You might want to ask Jan Hauger if she needs any help for this event.
- December 7 & 8, the choir is performing our annual Musical Cantata. You definitely want to circle your calendar for this event. They will be singing at each service.
- December 8 we will be decorating cookies to give to our homebound. Everybody is invited to join in the decorating. It will be done during the Sunday School time, starting at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to bring a dozen cookies for the homebound, that would be greatly appreciated. We will also be delivering them on this day. We will need help with this.
- Sunday, December 15 we will be welcoming new members to our church community. If you are planning on joining our church, please contact Pastor Tom by December 7. We will recognize our new members during the Sunday service.
- There will be no Saturday service on December 21. We would like everyone to come and enjoy the children’s Christmas program on Sunday, December 22. Do I need to describe how important your attendance is for this event?
- We will celebrate our Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. I hope you all are planning on attending. This will be our only service.
- December 28 and 29 we will be having a hymn sing during the normal weekend service times. It will be one of the last times we can enjoy singing our favorite Christmas songs. Scripture will also be read between each song. Please plan on coming to share your voice.
- Breathe in – hold it– breathe out. I am doing this right now just thinking about all we are doing.
- Make sure you say thank you to all those who are working hard to make December special. We have our custodial staff who always make our church look beautiful. Our choir, not only has been working hard to sing every Sunday, but they also have been busy practicing for the Cantata. Our elves in the Altar Guild have been very busy decorating our church. Our Sunday School teachers and students are working hard for their program. It takes a lot of effort, so make sure you express your thanks.
- Our worship assistants also have been working hard and have been on their toes when Pastor tells them that we are doing something a little different. They have been doing an awesome job helping me lead service. What I want to do is give them the month of January off. I am asking your help to step in once to give them a little break. Pick a Saturday or Sunday in January and I will mark you down. The script that you will receive has all the parts labeled. I am hoping that some of you will step out of your comfort zone and help. Just once. But if you find it’s not so bad… ?
- Breathe in – hold it– breathe out.
What God mostly does is love you. (excerpt from Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie)
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for Christ the King Weekend – November 23 & 24
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 93 Revelation ::4b-8 John 18:33-37
Reading the Bible in a Year- Monday, November 18 to Sunday, November 24
Day Numbers Psalms Proverbs Luke
Monday Ch 7:1-65 35:1-10 Ch 2:21-40
Tuesday Ch 7:66-Ch 9:14 35:11-18 Ch 2:41-52
Wednesday Ch 9:15-Ch 11:3 35:19-28 Ch 3:1-22
Thursday Ch 11:4 – 13:25 7:21-27 Ch 3:38-4:13
Friday Ch 13:26-Ch 14 36:1 – 12 Ch 4:14 – 37
Saturday Ch 15 – Ch 16:35 37:1-9 Ch 4:45-Ch 5:16
Sunday Ch 16:37-Ch 18 37:10-20 Ch 5:17-32
Numbers – more rules and numbers. Just want to call your attention to 8:25. It is the only time (I think) that the Bible has the word retirement. It is reserved for the Levites who are the priests. In other words, for the vast majority, you are never done serving God. In our church, we have a 97-year-old who wants to join the Church Council. It is a 3-year commitment. How is that for taking Scripture seriously?
Psalm – Evil is in big trouble in these 3 psalms. We are called to trust in the Lord and to love justice. Those words were true thousands of years ago and they are true today. More examples that we are allowed to pray honestly. 35:17 – “How long, O Lord, will you look on?” 35:23 – “Wake up! Rouse yourself for my defense, for my cause, my Lord, my God.” Imagine what state you must be in to tell God to “Wake up?”
Proverb – Wow. Warning, warning, warning. Take heed.
Luke – We continue with the birth story. Then it moves pretty fast. Some of it will be in our Advent texts. Jesus begins to lay the groundwork that he is the Son of God. Needless to say, it makes some people really mad. Beginning to read some healing stories and removal of evil spirits. Interesting – the evil spirits always know who Jesus is.