Hi, Friends!
During worship last week, John Jay reminded us that when we feel overwhelmed by all the problems we see in the world, we are called to be faithful in doing the next right thing. After worship, the youth had the opportunity to do so with the backpacks they assembled the previous week. Pastor Gretchen connected us with a church that sends folks to pass out lunches in Memorial and Central Parks every Sunday, so we teamed up with them. It was a meaningful experience for the youth to get out in their own city and offer some practical help to our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. We will continue our manna bag practice and look forward to inviting the congregation into it whenever we do. As the weather gets colder, let's keep praying for those who need a safe and warm place to live and for ways we can engage in fair housing initiatives. (Stay tuned, too, for information about getting plugged into the Homeless Count in January!)
Last night we hosted a kid and youth party so parents could have a night out, and it was a blast! Many thanks to Michael Mann (who designed a scavenger hunt for our youth!), Engry Lopez, Mary Nobles, Callie Cuff, and Paula Matei for loving on our kids and helping us make pizzas and Thanksgiving crafts. Pastor Mary and I were so grateful for the chance to hang out with our fabulous kids and volunteers!
Get excited for this Sunday! We will be passing out Advent materials for your family and then staying after worship to decorate the church and eat lunch together. I hope to see you there!
Nursery - Elementary:
This Sunday our nursery kids will learn about Queen Esther and her example of caring leadership. She also reminds us how much God cares for us! The elementary kids will be learning about the plagues in the book of Exodus, which is also a story about God's care and provision (in a crazy way!). We look forward to a packed morning with our growing volunteer team and our kids!
Family Discussion Starters:
What can we learn about leadership from the examples of Esther and Moses?
When is a time God was with you in a difficult circumstance?
What are some ways we can we pray for freedom in our own city?
What surprises you most about God in the story?
Prayer: God, thank you for caring for us. Help us to care for others and share your promises of freedom!
Children's Choir — Mark Your Calendars!
The kids are continuing to prepare to sing in December! They will perform at our 77th annual evening Carol Service on December 15th, and we will have a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 14th. More details to come, but mark your calendars for this special event! You can encourage your child to practice using this lyric sheet and this video.
Youth:
This week the youth will join the tradition and help us decorate the church! We will eat lunch and get in the Christmas spirit as we hang the greens and lights. You are all invited to join the fun!
Youth Christmas Party!
Our annual Youth Christmas Party is on Friday, December 6th! More details to come, but make sure you mark your calendars for that evening. We will start at 6PM and dinner is included along with Christmas festivities. Friends are welcome! Youth can RSVP for the party here. Yay!
Youth Winter Retreat
This winter we are joining up with two other church youth groups for a fun and meaningful weekend retreat! All middle and high schoolers are invited to attend our winter retreat January 18th-20th at Camp Sky Meadows near Big Bear Lake. Stay tuned for more details, and get excited for a super fun time up in the mountains!
News You Can Use
Tapping Into Gratitude
The Fuller Youth Institute publishes posts regularly, and this week's caught my eye. If you are looking for some practical ways to make thankfulness part of your family's rhythm, check out this post. It has links to even more good stuff that is worth looking at (reclaiming this season with gratitude, finding enough in a culture of scarcity, and daily examen prayer).
And if you are looking for a beautiful theology of Thanksgiving and a way to see its place in both our history and today, check out the lovely read by SALT. You could even read it at the table on Thursday!
Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!
So thankful for you,
Pastor Lindsay
