This Sunday: 

"God's Grace is Powerfully at Work!"

Acts 4: 23-27

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Good afternoon church!

I almost forgot to order my Thanksgiving turkey! Yes, I am one of the weird ones who orders a Thanksgiving turkey, instead of picking it up at the grocery store. But I did get my order in yesterday. And as I think about sharing a Thanksgiving meal with family, I am preparing by reviewing old and new recipes. I am making lists of things to purchase on which days, to keep it all as fresh as possible. Now some of you know that I love to cook so all of my preoccupation with Thanksgiving is probably not surprising to you.

As I prepare for this upcoming Sunday, (November 13) I am praying and thinking about what Patti and I will offer to God for the next year, through our commitment and offerings. You see, preparing for Thanksgiving has given me a way to think about preparing for our Commitment Sunday. I wouldn’t want to forget my commitment like I almost forgot to order the turkey. I need to take time to review what I have given this year and to think about what we can give this coming year. Like I wouldn’t take Thanksgiving for granted, I don’t want to take my commitment to God for granted. I am so grateful for all that God has done and is doing! Therefore, my offering is my sacrifice of praise to God in thanksgiving for all God has done. (Hebrews 13: 15-16)

One question that I often think about is “how did the early church do so much through their offerings?” Acts tells us that they were “united in heart and mind”. Perhaps that is part of the problem. We are not united. But can we be? I am foolish enough to believe that if we focus our lives on discipleship (following Jesus), we will begin to turn towards a unity that is grounded in Christ and that can begin to resemble the unity of the early church. If you are interested in hearing more about this join us this Sunday as we look at the generosity of the early church and how “God’s Grace is Powerfully at Work!” (Acts 4: 32-37).

PS if you’re interested in what Millennials think about giving to the church, listen to my breakthrough interview with Annie Duarte.

• Prayers for continued health and improvement for Jan.
• Prayers for a speedy recovery for a friend of Lynne and Paul Harper, Allen Roth as he recovers from a recent surgery.
• Prayers for comfort for Laurie Gerlach's friend, Linda, following the death of her husband Carl from pancreatic cancer.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Marilyn, Annie Duarte's great aunt, as she is in hospice care.
• Prayers of comfort for Stacey Estock following the recent loss of her mother, Peggy.
• Prayers for the family of Darlene Meissner, dear friend of Ron and Phyllis Ostrand, following her sudden passing.
• Prayers for continued improvement for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, following a fall and fractured pelvis.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.
• Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling long COVID. Prayers for complete healing for her.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brother, Larry, who has Parkinsons; Len with diabetes, blood clots and depression; and Daphne and Cassidy who need God’s guidance.
• Prayers for Mike Darkoch as he continues to recover from surgery for a broken hip. He is now back home.
• Stephen Parrish, a family friend of Judy Shelton, is dealing with a brain tumor. Prayers for comfort and healing.