Greetings!

This is one of my most favorite weekends of the year!  It's the "anticipation" of Thanksgiving!  This week we will hang out together at the parade, Layne and I are going to volunteer @ the Turkey Trot while Andrew runs on Thurs and then Scott's dad, his brother & family will come to our house for Thanksgiving.  Then - even in my new quest post-Uganda to not be so gluttonous with STUFF . . . . I have to admit - Friday (Black Friday) is a national holiday for me!  I love buying Christmas presents for folks!  It really does bring me joy and I love the excitement of that day . . . in anticipation for what is yet to come! 

Yet even as I anticipate I realize there are many who don't have anything to anticipate.  They wonder where they are going to get enough money to have the next meal on their table, how they will feed their children, and many times they simply do without!  Thanksgiving is a time in which NO ONE should do without! 

Sunday you have a chance to make a difference.  You can bring canned food to worship on Sunday and we are going to feed folks in our community that are in need!!!!!! 

For a few months now you have physically helped Fallstown Baptist help people in need, loading food into the cars of those who have hit a rough spot in life . . . and this Sunday you can bring FOOD to go towards feeding the hungry!  Please do . . . and bring stuff you would want to eat . . . . ;)  Years ago I would just go through the pantry and see what I didn't "really" want and I would throw that in a bag and take it . . .  when we give to God (which is what we are doing when we feed those in need) it is about sacrificial giving.  So I'll be giving up the things the Smith's actually LIKE and I invite you to do the same!!!!! 

Also - the Angels are here for Angel Tree so grab one or two on your way out the door.  Last year you all AMAZED me . . . I believe in our start up year when we were averaging +/-220 you all supported 60+ angels (would have been more but we ran out!) Statistically - that's about 1 angel per family . . . . b/c we are blessed to have MANY youth and children @ West! 

And finally (I am wordy this morning it seems) you guys are also sharing the love of Christ with college students by sending them care packages right before exam time!!!  The packages will be sent out the end of this upcoming week so they will be there when the guys/gals return to start cramming for exams!!!!  Pick up an item and be a part of saying "West really cares about you!!!!!!"

You all make up an amazing church!  I am BLESSED to be your pastor and I am always goosebump excited to see where God is going to lead us . . . just this week alone I have personally witnessed God do some amazing things!

Grace and Peace,

Andrea