A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

 

                Happy Advent! And I truly mean that greeting. My hope, God’s hope, is that your Advent is more than a time of ticking things off your Christmas “To Do” list. How can you create an Advent that feeds your spirit and makes you truly enjoy? Be deliberate in looking for and planting some peace during the four weeks of Advent.

          Consider making 30 minutes to worship and pray for peace. Each Thursday night we are going to create a unique atmosphere of peace. There will be candlelight, music, prayer and intentional searching for the peace that only comes from God. Gather with a friend for early dinner and then attend the Taize` together. Plan to leave work 30 minutes early to attend one Taize` Service. Bring your busy schedule, your worries, your hopes and prayers and try something new. My prayer is that each one of you will try to create time to attend at least one Taize` Worship Service this Advent. Attend because you need peace in your life. Attend because you worry about the violence in our country. Attend because you want to be fully ready in your heart for Christmas morning. Attend because it is a happy Christmas for you. Attend because it is a sad Christmas for you. Attend simply because you were invited or were asked to. Don’t worry about doing it right or understanding. Trust God and experience.

        Plan deliberate fellowship this Advent. Look over Advent-At-A-Glance and see if you can attend the Men’s Club Dinner or help kids Visit Santa. What can you give this Advent. The Guild is offering many ways for us to give this Christmas. Simply put food in a cart or offer a gift card.

         Consider setting aside a time for a daily Advent Prayer. Could you plan to visit one of our members who is shut-in. Consider contacting me and asking who you could do a little act of kindness for…leave a dinner on their doorstep or offer them a ride somewhere. I have options for you.

         You may be almost done with this letter and be wondering about the title? Well my favorite cooking magazine has a game called find the missing toothpick. As you read you look for the drawing of the toothpick they hide each month. If you find the toothpick, you write in and maybe you will win a prize. I am asking you to find the hidden toothpick or the hidden little thing you can do in Advent that reaps rewards. Look around and see what God is calling you to. Let me know you read this letter and that you are looking for adding the little things to your Advent that create peace. Email, text or say to me the next time you see me, “Toothpick!” I will know that you read this letter, considered or prayed about it and you are seeking the little things that create peace.

      Do not allow Christmas to show up without experiencing Advent fully!