l{ovember/December
St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church
20L3
Messenger
Rev. Richard R. Gordon, Pastor Ann Strehalsky, Office Secretary
FROM THE PASTOR
In Christ, The orange and ye1low of fall in the midst of cooler air and h-igh skies reminds me that we are approachi ng Thanl<sgi vi ng , Advent and Ch ri stmas . We also can recognize the change of season in the graphics of the advertising inserts in our Sunday Dear Friends
Newspapers. Yes, turl<eys, pi-lgrims, Santa's, reindeer, elves and Christmas trees are already conspi cuous vi sual s of the -impendi ng seasons . Is time rea11y moving ahead faster or is this just the fact that we are being "sold" on the holidays earlier and earlier? Have you heard, "B1ack Friday" is now encroaching the formerly sacred turf of Thanksgiving Thursday? Obviously the good deals MUST come earlier and earlier and maybe even
before the pumpkin after al I
pie.
In/e
are a consumer culture
!
As the seasons changen the market-ing increases and the Ho1-iday Sales entice; may we remember not only who we are but also WHO'S we are. Psalm l-18: 2829 says it well, "You are my Cod, and I will g-ive you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lordn for he is good; his love endures forever." In all times, places and situations a Christian is one who responds to God's "endu ri ng I ove" wi th THANI(SGIVING. God' s I ove i s for everyone and we are simply to respond with prai se and than ksg-i vi ng .
in
We humans sdy, "Thank You, God" many ways. Some these ways are better than
of
others. In
an-
cient times, even biblical times; people would sacrifice an animal in gratitude to God (or the gods) for blessings bestowed or favors received.
Mission Staternent St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church is a community of Christians bound together in joy and thanksgiving by God's saving grace in Jesus Christ. Our mission is to grolv in faith, Iove, and obedience to God as we are empowered through the Wold and Sacraments by the HoIy Spirit. To carry out this mission, we:
.
Nurture one another in
the
Faith,
.
Evangelize all people,
.
Worship God, and
.
Serve those in need.
Inside this issue:
Pastor Report
1.-2
G.P.S. Worshio
3
Thanksgiving-AdventChristmas
4
Breakfast Buffet
5
Church News
6
Poinsettia Order From
7
Birthdays
8
An niversa ries
8
Calendars
9-10
Schedules
1.1