Blessings from the Pastor’s messy desk. I am writing this as I savor the smells of Tuesday night supper being prepared for our fellow brothers and sisters. Yes, you can’t beat ham in the oven with scalloped potatoes, wafting to my office. Those souls who will enjoy this meal come to be served and that is what this church has done for 90 years. Yes, 90 years is a long time, but the hard work of all who volunteer are rewarded by the thankful smiles and full stomachs that are served.
For those of you who had the opportunity to attend our 90th celebration last week, wasn’t that fun? We had about seventy people attend and enjoyed a bit of history, music and an opportunity to share joys of seasons past. A big thank you to all of you for helping make such an enjoyable event take place. Plans are underway already for the next 90th year anniversary. Sign up in Stevens Hall. I pray that we all are here for that one.
Believe it or not, it is November! Advent starts on November 30th this year. That means five weeks later we welcome the baby Jesus once again. The calendar just keeps moving along. It seems like we have been cheated out of a few weeks this year, doesn’t it?
It is that time of the year when we all take assessment of our lives and our relationship with God. Of course, I hope that we all do so every day, but life does get in the way at times. As we enter the last two months of the year, I am reaching out to all of you to consider what we give back to God and how we can support the ministries of St. Paul’s. We indeed are living in some strange times and understandably on edge with where the cost of living is going. This church is no different. The cost of running the church and the ministries is climbing each day. Our reserves are called upon to keep up with the costs.
I would like to ask all of you to put some time and thought to your giving and consider raising your tithing a bit to help defray the costs of our beloved church. I have purposely avoided this subject for some time. Your generosity has always been evident. As we have come out of COVID and find ourselves recovering financially as well as spiritually, may we all lift up St’ Paul’s ever so slightly to keep the blessings flowing to all who are in need.
As we head toward Our Thanksgiving season in few weeks, there is no time like the present to show how grateful we all are to be here together in this place of worship and community. We are indeed grateful for each other and to our Lord Jesus Christ for showing us the way. May our journey together toward Christmas be filled with hope, peace and love. Let us all raise each other in gratitude for the gift of this life every day.
May God bless each and every one of you,
Pastor John Stephenson
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