Pastor’s Notes

November 2024

Greetings, Everyone,

As I type this message, I am still recovering from my knee surgery. Progress is slower than I would like, but the Physical Therapist says I’m doing well, so I’m trusting him and his expertise. I am eager to return to a more active routine (especially driving, going to the pool, and seeing all of you), and I expect those things to happen this month. In the meantime, the work of the church continues: the new roofs have been completed, the fellowship hall carpet has been professionally cleaned, the organization of the basement has progressed, and Sunday worship services are going swimmingly. Many thanks to all of you who are helping to make those things happen, and for all the ways you have reached out to me and kept me in the loop. I appreciate your texts, cards, gifts of food, and visits more than you know, and I can’t wait to say thank you in person.

Looking ahead, in addition to my continued healing, November promises some other important activities and events. For one thing, on November 24th, immediately following worship, we will be decorating the church for Advent and Christmas. We’ll have pizza for lunch, and the more people who are available to help, the faster the work will go. And, speaking of Advent, I am looking for folks who are willing to light Advent candles during our worship services in December. If you are interested, please let me know.

Before then, however, we have another important event I want to talk about and that is that our country is going to elect a new president. We all know the issues being discussed; we all have our own opinions; we all have the right to vote our conscience; and regardless of the outcome, there will be a lot of people who are happy and a lot of people who are not. Some people fear violence, and many others don’t know what to expect. None of us does, not for certain. Only time will tell us that.

But here is what we do know: the problems and divisions in our country will not go away simply because of who is elected. They will continue; their resolution will take the efforts of all of us; and the one we call our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ – will still be the head of the Church. We need to remember that; we need to keep our eyes on Him; we need to strive to follow Him; and we need to heed His call to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Can we do that? Can we live into Paul’s admonition to the Colossians and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience?Can we be part of solutions, not problems? Can we? Will we?

May God’s peace be with us all.

Pastor Jill