One of the many joys of my work is seeing God's people at their very best. Nearly every week, I stand in amazement at someone's sacrificial commitment: a busy executive who serves at the Men's Shelter, the redemptive love a mother shows her child, the patient care extended to an elderly parent or the financial generosity extended to those in need. In that way, I have the best job in the world.
I saw it again this week when I received a thank you letter from Doug and Carolyn, a couple I've never met. They live in Avery County, and their grandson, Zachary, participated in the Polar Express outing supported by our Christmas Eve offering. They wrote,
Dear Covenant Membership:
We are raising our fourth grandson, Zachary. We are both in our 70's and Zachary has been with us since he turned three years old. We are so blessed to be able to care for and love him.
Being seniors and raising a beautiful child is a challenge. God has blessed us as we continue on this journey and has brought so many caring people into our lives.
Your church family brought joy to our grandson; joy of fellowship and appreciation of knowing he is loved by God's children. We are more grateful than we can say.
Warm regards,
Doug and Carolyn
I have yet to write them back, but when I do, I will tell them it's our privilege to enrich their lives with love, to model our Christmas celebration after how God decided to save the world -- by loving, by touching human hearts, by entering our lives and gracing them with a sense of belonging and care, by giving us nothing less than Godself. It's the best gift of all, of course, the gift of one's very self.
We'll celebrate that gift in a multitude of ways this weekend. Our worship schedule will be as follows:
9:30 a.m. Children's Worship with Nativity Animals on the Circle and birthday cake afterward.
3 p.m. Contemporary Candlelight Worship - Music of Appalachia with Communion.
5 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Communion Service.
In our evening services, 100 percent of our offering will serve vulnerable children like Zachary. I encourage you to join me in carefully considering your gift in light of other Christmas giving.
With gratitude and anticipation,
