St.
October, November, December
John/St. Paul Lutheran Church
2074
Messenger
Rev. Richard R. Gordon, Pastor Ann Streharsky, Office Sectetary
FROM THE PASTOR My Dear Friends in Christ, We are again entering into the seasons of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. I always look forward to this time of year. I really enjoy our beautiful Northeast Ohio fall weather and its sudden splash of autumn color. I look forward to Halloween with the grandkids, Thanksgiving with the family, Advent preparation and excitement and the remarkable JOY of Christmas.
Everythingthat is going on at SJSP in these days looms larger, perhaps, as we enter into these seasons. How should we deal with all of "these things" spiritually and faithfully? What should be our attitude and demeanor in these times? What do we need to be and share with each other?
Well, how about the words of St. Paul in II Thessalonians 5: 16-19! "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." Jesus saw everything in terms of God's love. He was constantly aware of God's moving and acting with love and care in all the events of daily life. Jesus experienced God as the one who feeds the birds, adorns the flowers, provides the needed rain for the fields and looks after each human being. This is why Jesus constantly appreciated God as his abba (his loving daddy). In practice, this meant that Jesus was conscious of everything in life as a gift from God, a blessing. Jesus took nothing for granted. He was deeply grateful for every-
thing. His life was filled with prayers of thanksgiving. Jesus'response to God's love in his life was one of gratitude. Jesus was in life
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 grorv in faith, love, and obedience to God as we are empolvered through the Wold and Sacraments by the Holy Spirit. To carry out
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this mission, lve:
Nurture one another in
the
Faith,
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Evangelize all people,
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Worship God, and
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Serwe those in need.
lnside this issue:
Pastor's Report
1,-2
ADVENT FOCUS
3
News to the Pews
4-5
CHRISTMAS
6
Birthdays
7
Anniversaries
7
Calendars
8-10
Schedules
t!
always so very grateful to God.
In like manner, one of the things Jesus really appreciated in the people