Dear Church Family,

     I can’t believe that, with All Saints Day still more than a week away, I’m going to write about advent!  Where does the time go?  I am so excited about advent this year, which begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving –November 27.  This advent season we are focusing on the Old Testament book of Ruth, which tells a wonderful story of redemption, and will lead us to the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

     During worship in advent we are also going to try something unique.  Every week in the bulletin there will be blank sheets of paper.  In the pews there will be colored pencils.  When something in worship strikes you, whether it be an image in a hymn, a prayer, or the sermon, you are encouraged to make a quick drawing.  We will collect those drawings on the way out of the sanctuary each Sunday, and they will be posted in a display that will grow through the advent season.  I know it might seem like a crazy idea, and that we are encouraging people not to pay attention to worship.  Far from it – I’m hoping this will reinforce connections to God made by worshipers throughout the service.  Of course it will be important to resist the temptation to do just that, and parents will need to watch that worship not turn into craft time.  This new endeavor is just for advent and will hopefully prove to be very meaningful.

     Before advent begins, we will be celebrating one of my most favorite worship services – Thanksgiving.  On Thanksgiving day at 10am, we will gather to mark the day by giving thanks to the One who has provided us with so many good things.  I have enjoyed how this service has grown over the years, hopefully an indication that we seek to give God the glory for all he has done for us.

     On a more personal note, the thing I am most thankful for in the last year is the support I received from the church family during my difficulties over the summer.  I couldn’t ask for better responses or any more support than what you all gave.  I give God thanks for you all regularly, and am so thankful God called me here to serve alongside you.

Blessings,

Pastor John