|
|
|
|
 |
|
Happy Thanksgiving from St. James Episcopal Church
|
|
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6: 28b -24)
 I commented earlier today to someone that it's a good thing that I'm not responsible for preparing Thanksgiving Dinner for myself and house guests. Simply put, it would be a culinary nightmare! There are all sorts of "pros" who I could learn from if I wanted to for tomorrow. However, I'm not nearly as organized as Lifetime's Katie Brown. I become afraid of just how many ways I can under cook the turkey and/or fail at making anywhere close to perfect gravy.
Thank you, no. I'll slyly try to wrangle an invitation to a friend's home or, when I am fortunate enough, utilize my table-setting, dish-cleaning, and wine-sharing skills with loved ones as we prepare and share a Thanksgiving Meal with one another.
I consequently got giggly as I read Katie Perfectly Imperfect Dinner story. She patiently and purposefully prepared the meal wanting her first Thanksgiving meal with her husband, infant daughter, and mother-in-law to be especially perfect. It didn't quite work out as she planned. It rarely does on holidays like Thanksgiving. It was "perfect" nonetheless.
Blessings abounded in the absence of turkey but in a deeper presence of gratitude for what occurred throughout the day.
Jesus teaches us to strive to faithfully live into the realities of God's Love (Kingdom of Heaven). It's not easy at all to possess such faith, especially when trying to make special moments extra special. Throw in some awkward family dynamics or a last minute unexpected crisis and there's the recipe for a perfectly awful time that's far-far away from residing in the peaceful relationship with Christ and our loved ones that we all truly yearn for when we set aside the anxieties plaguing us.
 I encourage you to learn from Katie's experience or from similar ones that you have had when everything looked like it was completely going to be out of whack but instead God's comforting and calming Grace showed up instead. Here's a terrific website if you're looking for some ideas about how you and your guests can visibly share blessings with one another on Thanksgiving.
Let me make a pitch to come to church too. We've all got a very special way to say "thanks" tomorrow morning. Let's welcome Lucy Wetenkamp and her loved ones into a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ and with us. Let's gather together to thankfully sing that we are indeed God's own field with fruit to yield unto his praise.
I wish you safe travels if you're journeying away from Cincinnati this weekend. I look forward to being with you on Sunday as we wish farewell to this liturgical year and praise Christ the King! Most of all, may your Thanksgiving Day turn out perfectly regardless of how the meal goes...and may God clothe and feed you with mercy and compassion regardless of you who and where you will be tomorrow and the days that follow.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+ |
-
 This Week @ St. James
Thursday - Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving Day
-
11 AM
- Baptism and Eucharist
Sunday - Nov. 25 - Christ the King Sunday -
8 AM - Rite I Eucharist
9 AM - Adult Bible Study
Choir Practice 10 AM - Rite II Eucharist Communion 11:15 - Fellowship Time  Please take sometime while you're in LuDunn Hall to choose a name of a student at Ethel Taylor Academy who you share Christmas with this year. We are collecting gifts as well as winter clothing for the school's kindergarten class. Please contact Nancy Jacob for more information and to sign-up.
Here's a "Celtic" rendition of a beloved traditional hymn.
Enjoy!
 Some Food for thought...
If you shop on a holiday, someone else is working, perhaps against her or his own deepest desire. Everyone deserves a holiday. Learn more here. (Thanks to Julie Murray for posting this on her Facebook page).
|
|
|
|
|
St. James Episcopal Church is called to be a center of worship and common life
where Christ's love is visible and experienced
in order to seek and serve Jesus in others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
