AND SO, it is perhaps the right time, at the end of this Christian year, to come Christ the King and, as scripture says, “be still and know that I am God.” It is a time to empty our burdens, to take refuge, to replenish the spirit, with thanksgiving …. Let us know the Truth of Christ, and in so doing, let us know this place and each other for the first time, all over again.
Dear Caldwell,
With the words above, Intern Henry Trexler’s sermon Sunday drew us into this, the last week of the church calendar. Come Sunday, we will celebrate a “happy new year,” at least on the church’s liturgical calendar, not with party hats and singing “Auld lang syne,” but with a confession for our need for a promised messiah, who liberates us from our trials and tribulations.
As as we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week, we, as believers, can give thanks for the arrival of a new Christian year, renewing our commitment to walk and live to the tempo of the church’s alternative calendar and sense of time. Yes, as with all Americans, we give thanks on Thanksgiving for all of in our life that is good. But, as believers, we give thanks that we have even more to hope for and even more to work for as the hands and feet of Christ.
On Sunday, we took a good step forward in a healthy election meeting. We give thanks for an excellent slate of nominees and for the five members who were duly elected. As we bring five (of 12) new elders to the session in January, we are grateful for “new blood” and for the tireless service of those rolling off session. Congratulations to Kevin Martin (class of 2017) and Mary Ellen Player, Craig Ogle, Jessica Pistole Polk and Greg Shell (all class of 2018).
One of the highlights of the year in the life in our community, at least in my view, is tonight’s Mecklenburg Ministries Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Invoking the theme of “Wilderness and Hope,” thousands will gather in celebration of what the world’s great faiths have in common. I recommend it highly. It is at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1401 Allen Street, with a reception to follow.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving – or have friends and loved ones who are – may God’s protection surround you/them, as we all count our abundance and pray for those who have not nearly as much.
Don’t forget that we will gather for our own “family meal” after worship on Sunday at a Pot Luck Meal. As Henry invited us to to do, it’s a chance “to get to know this place and each other all over again, for the first time,” an appropriate way to start the holidays.
Finally, a word about our Discovery and Engagement Campaign for
2016: 84 Caldwell households have pledged $245,386 for our ministry and outreach. That’s a great start. But we are still short of this year’s totals, which were 139 households pledging $347,420. While we have all been living through some uncertainty, now is the time to make our promises God’s work in this place. No pledge is too small, no promise to God too insignificant. You can reach Sally Herlong in the church office, confidentially, at sherlong@caldwellpresby.org.
Look for more updates on Friday.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Yours In Christ, John