November 21, 2014

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 

GRATE-FULL

One of the things I have concluded in my almost-60 years is that being "blessed with good things" is more a matter of luck and coincidence than the providence of God. Oh, heretical thought!

 

Certainly I cling to the belief that God is with us "in plenty as in want, in joy as in sorrow, in freedom as in oppression." But I know which of those pairs I would prefer: I am happier when my stomach is full, when I can go home and turn up the heat, when my moods tend toward happy, and when I exercise my freedoms from morning to night. So I approach the Thanksgiving holiday with some discomfort over my own self-satisfaction.

 

Too often our prayers of gratitude end with "Thank you, God, for all we have been given." We might just as well pray, "Thank my lucky stars." What about the parents of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, who will face Thanksgiving without their beloved son? What about the homeless veteran trying to keep warm next to a make-shift bonfire after a so-so meal in a soup kitchen? What about the relatives of victims of Ebola? What about Muslims in the Middle East who see their countries devastated by fellow Muslims-in the name of their God? Why does fortune smile on some and not on others?

 

My prayer is that when I acknowledge the abundance of good things I am lucky enough to enjoy, it will move me to act on behalf of those who do not enjoy them. My prayer is that along with "fullness" I will also experience the discomfort of a "grating" sensation, reminding me that it is not my own goodness that has put me where I am, but just a roll of the cosmic dice.

 

Explaining a parable he told about a faithful servant entrusted to watch the master's possessions, Jesus said, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48) May we, who have been given so much, be truly grate-full on this Thanksgiving holiday.

Pastor Ginny 

 

Stewardship Campaign

Reminder - Send in your pledge card ASAP! The Finance Committee must propose the final budget for 2015 early the week of December 1. We need to report all pledges on Sunday, November 30. Many thanks for your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure in support of First Church.

The 2014 Stewardship Team


Help Decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas!

Let's join together after the service this Sunday and bring Christmas into the Sanctuary. Stars, bows, candles, wreaths - all will help prepare us for Advent, which is just around the corner.

 

Christmas Creche Display

 

On December 7, bring your favorite Christmas creche to Cook Hall before the service so that everyone can enjoy them as a group. Fancy or not, matters not!


Community Thanksgiving Service, Wednesday, Nov 26, 7pm 

Sponsored by the Granby Clergy Group the Community Thanksgiving Service will be held at South Congregational Church in Fellowship Hall, following the Community meal. Join us as we praise God with the wider church and community. 

 

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner - November 27, 2pm 

This year the Waste Not Want Not community meal will host a Thanksgiving dinner. The meal will be served at 2pm Thanksgiving Day at South Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. This holiday meal is being provided for anyone who needs a place to go for community and/or a good hot meal.  

 

Thanksgiving Baskets

Food for Thanksgiving Baskets must be delivered to Cook Hall by the end of the day today--Friday, November 21st.

 

"Advent  in Sock Feet" - Friday, December 5

All are invited to join us for a evening of quiet as we prepare for the busy season of preparation. We will begin with a candlelit labyrinth walk (indoors) at South Church from 6-7pm. Then we move to First Church at 7:15 for Sound Healing with Marcey & Brian Hickey.

 

Stewardship Results as of November 19... 

We have a target of $290,000 or more in pledges for 2015. This will give First Church enough flexibility to budget some contingency funds for 2015. As of Wednesday evening, we have received pledges and prepayments that reached 82% of this target. We have pledges from 58% of our active members and friends.

Let's hear from the last 42% of you by Sunday, November 23, so we can complete the budget process for 2015! And then we all can move to Thanksgiving with a real sense of thanks in our hearts for our Faith Community and what it does to support us and our communities with our many ministries.




Hello, Tara. Is that your pledge?

Contacts 

Sue Miltenberger (Office Manager)
Rev. Ginny McDaniel (Senior Minister)

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)  

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