Letter to Congregation 11-18-2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Yesterday, my son and I went from store to store looking for lollipops that fit our turkey decoration. When we went into the first store, he saw all the Christmas decorations and asked why they were out because it was Thanksgiving now. He cannot fathom Christmas without Thanksgiving first. There is a lesson this teaches us, as Christians, that Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and Advent begins early again this year. We know that the season of gift giving and receiving can’t be appreciated if we have not gone into it with a right heart, a heart of thanksgiving. It’s amazing what we can learn even from those who don’t see the world we see. Gavin reminded me that to begin the season of advent in a right heart means taking the time to give thanks first. We are to remember to give thanks for all God’s blessings so we can, with a right heart, go into the season where we give and get the best gift of all.
This Sunday we will gather to worship and to give praise and thanksgiving to this amazing gift-giving God. In doing so, we continue in our phase 1 hybrid worship plan. In the heart of thankfulness, I wanted to share thanks to the many congregants who have committed themselves in varying ways to the mission into which God has called this church. Particularly, I wanted to thank those who graciously are willing to worship in our overflow rooms leaving room in the sanctuary for others. I want to thank those also who worship at home for the same reason. One of our leaders put it this way… Typically we don’t think twice about giving up our seat for someone elderly. The same goes when we give up our seat in the sanctuary for someone else. Even in these difficult, unprecedent times, God continues to show up through the actions of those who give of their whole selves in these new ways. So, thanks for all who are willing to display God’s kingdom on earth in this way.
Furthermore, in addition to giving thanks and praise in Sunday morning worship, we have an opportunity to share thankfulness at the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service which will take place on zoom this year. For those who have not attended in the past, this gathering is focused on thankfulness in all faith traditions, not just Christian tradition. Here is an opportunity to join with varying different religious groups in our local community in a new way. The information is provided below. Let us give thanks for all God has done by worshiping God this Sunday in worship and in the evening as we give thanks for our interfaith relationships in our community at the interfaith Thanksgiving service.
In Christ Peace,
Pastor Nicki
Some helpful links…
Click on the link below near the time the service begins at 10:00am to watch the live stream https://www.facebook.com/espresbyterian/
YouTube recording can be found at https://www.espresbyterian.com/worship/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/ESPresbyterian
Additionally, bulletins and an online hymnal have been put on the website and can be found at https://www.espresbyterian.com/worship/sunday-bulletin/
Thanksgiving service 07:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82108502579
Meeting ID: 821 0850 2579
