Pastor's Pen  

                                                            Mike Wills

MIKE’S MOMENT

What a special Thanksgiving Sunday meal we had this week.  We thank especially Bobby Kohl and Franklin Berkey who worked hard to make it all happen and then caught a bug and were unable to be here and take a bow.  Thanks guys and thanks to those who filled in for them at the last minute, and to all those who helped serve and cleanup afterwards.   We had around 150 people, stuffed with turkey, dressing, potatoes and all the great offerings in the way of pot luck.  But the best part of all was the fellowship with New Beginnings—our nesting congregation.  Looking over the crowd was like catching a glimpse of the Kingdom of God!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and that is not a good thing before Thanksgiving!    Driving home in the blinding snow from the hospital last night was not a fun experience.  I can’t say skating in to work this morning was delightful either.  But then wait a minute, forget the slick road and let your eyes wander to the beauty of the snow covered trees and fields (if you dare take your eye off the road), and we notice how really beautiful it all is.  Winter is a season of scary challenges, and breath-taking beauty.  I guess you can’t have one without the other, and we find ourselves a lot happier when we can focus on the good things with which we are being blessed.  That’s what Thanksgiving is all about.  Thanks God, that I made it home safely, and for the beauties of nature.  Thanks for a scary opportunity to share your Good News with another, and for helping me through it, and effecting a change in the other, and in me.  Thanks for the stewardship challenges and for moving me to respond, and giving me the joy of knowing I’ve done my part.  Amen???  And the people say, “AMEN!”

Our texts this week are Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 1:15-23, and Psalm 100.  Where have you seen the face of Jesus lately? —After church the Worship Team will begin getting ready to transform our sanctuary.  It too will begin to look a lot like Christmas.  Sunday, November 30, is the first Sunday of the new church year.  We’ll begin Advent with a “Hanging of the Greens Service” as part of our morning worship.  An “advent” is a coming, and for the church that means a season of preparing for and anticipating with joy, the coming of Christ.  We will celebrate His coming to bring Good News long ago, His consistent coming to sustain us in our daily walk, and future coming to welcome us to our heavenly home. You won’t want to miss a single Sunday of this very special season.

Shalom,

Mike

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