Finding God in Every Season

A Word from the Pastor...

If you have done any shopping lately, you may have seen that stores are already preparing for the Christmas Season. Fall is my favorite time of the year, so I'm trying to enjoy the moment and the season we're in and not get too caught up in what is coming. I love the changing of the leaves and the crisp mornings that are a great time to sit outside with a cup of coffee around a fire. Did you ever notice that the fall even smells good? The warm afternoon sunshine provides the perfect time to take a walk outside and hang out with Jesus. What is your favorite season? Where do you see God

in that season? Isn't it wonderful that God gives us different seasons not only to enjoy, but to show us His power and His majesty?

It is usually this time of the year that the Holy Spirit gives me some inspiration about Advent, and He has not let me down. I’m excited to say that I have a theme for this year’s Advent. I am using a book by Ann Voskamp, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift as a resource. If you have not heard of her, I also highly recommend her book, One Thousand Gifts. In this book, along with her devotional, Ann shares intimate reflections on recognizing God’s grace in the ordinary. Through story and sixty Scripture-rooted meditations, she guides you to slow down, give thanks, and cultivate a daily habit of noting life’s blessings as a path to deeper joy. This month, as we celebrate the season of Thanksgiving, is a great time to look for God's blessings and grace. If you would like me to get you a copy of her book, let me know.

The first Sunday of Advent this year is November 29. Yes! It's coming that soon. On that Sunday, we will have the traditional “Hanging of the Greens” service. The church family will spend our worship time together decorating the church for the Christmas Season. I have ordered ornaments that will walk us through the Bible, all pointing us to Jesus. A few of our teens will be sharing a special reading from Unwrapping the Greatest Gift as we hang these special ornaments on our Christmas Tree.

Each reading starts with scripture, and then a brief explanation about the ornament. The first reading is from Isaiah 11:1, "A shoot will come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit from his roots." The story will then continue from the Old Testament to the New. There will not be a sermon that day because the readings and the ornaments will provide us with a message about Jesus, Christmas, and Advent season. As we have done in the past, everyone will participate in decorating the sanctuary, and you are all invited to bring a white ornament to put on the tree during the service.

Please plan to come a little early that day for a time of coffee, cookies and "living as community" before the service. We will gather together in the fellowship hall. I'll have a sign-up sheet in the lobby for those who are able to bring some refreshments that day.

This is such a special time of year in the life of the church. I hope you will make Sunday morning worship something you don't want to miss as we anticipate the birth of our Savior together.

- Pastor Stef