This has been a week! We had our 2 worship services last Sunday, in which people were invited to share things for which they were grateful in specific areas of our lives. These expressions of gratitude make up a huge part of what I consider true worship, as we share with one another how good God has been.


Then on Wednesday evening we had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner provided by one of the small groups here at the church. We invited people from one of the low-income housing complexes to join us for dinner and worship. I saw several of our members go out of their way to make our guests feel welcome; a wonderful sight for your pastor’s eyes!

Lisa and I traveled Thursday and Friday to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family, and so had a full day Saturday to prepare for this Sunday (yesterday). We had our normal 2 morning services, and a Hanging of the Green’s service in the evening. All in all, a busy week of worship and fellowship that left me pretty tired, but grateful for such opportunities. I pray that I, and you, will be reminded often that all the busy-ness of this holiday season has a point beyond presents, parties and family gatherings. The weeks leading up to Christmas are called Advent in the church calendar, and that is a time of preparation. We prepare to celebrate the wondrous event of God becoming one of us in Jesus of Nazareth, born in a stable in Palestine a very long time ago. We also prepare to welcome Jesus the Christ back when he returns to this earth in glory, a return that could come tomorrow, or could delay another thousand years or so. Either way, Advent is about being prepared, so we can celebrate his return as well. And being prepared for his second coming means doing the work he put us here to do and thereby making disciples for Jesus Christ. That is our highest goal, and our greatest privilege.

Grace and peace,
Bruce