Well here we are, Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is before us.
What a wonderful place to be, somewhere between thankfulness and joy. Maybe that is why we all get a bit nostalgic at this time of year.
I hope that this year you still feel the excitement, the expectation of Christmas. Remember how you could not sleep the night before Christmas as a child? As you closed your eyes, you were filled with hope and excitement of what was to come.
As I’ve gotten older, the whole season of Advent beyond “Christmas is Coming!” has become more important to me.
The traditions surrounding this time of year feel like coming home, like a chance to recenter myself for the coming year.
Hope is the first candle lit on the Advent wreath.
In a year wrought with many terrifying firsts, being able to light a candle that symbolizes hope feels restorative to me.
Hope for a vaccine, hope for kindness, hope for compassionate leaders, and hope that others care for us as much as we care for them.
Hope that we can one day all light the Advent candles together again.
Messiah Lutheran Church gives me reasons to be thankful.
On Sunday you heard Pastor Chuck announce that at that time we had 106 “statements of intent”, that is an awesome number and since then is now up to 109. That is just wonderful. Messiah is so thankful for all levels of generosity, as these are gifts from your heart, that show your love and commitment to our continued mission here at Messiah Lutheran Church.
There is so much that I am thankful for with this Church.
I am thankful that we have been able to bring Pastor Susan Kirlin-Hackett on board as our Pastor of Care and Welcome.
I am thankful for the members who are part of the Transition team.
I am thankful for our Pastors, Savannah and all she does for faith formation, and the church staff (so amazing each of them).
I am thankful for church council members, the finance committee, and the stewardship team.
I am thankful for those who provide community meals, food bank workers, our quilters, Bible study groups, oh I could go on and on.
There is so much to be thankful for here at Messiah, and we have so many reasons to be hopeful for what is before us.
I want to thank each of you and wish I could do this face to face, and that will happen in time. Here are some ways for us to celebrate the Christmas season together.
Advent Services – 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20 at 9:30 am – Facebook and Website
Hymn Advent Calendar – December 1-24th - Facebook and Website
Holden Evening Prayer - Every Wednesday at 7pm – Facebook and Website
Virtual Hymn Sing – Sunday December 20th at 9:30am – Facebook and Website
Faithfully,
Charlie Radabaugh
Messiah Council President
