The Thanksgiving Cure

Last Sunday I challenged the congregation to make this week, Thanksgiving Week, by writing down each day one specific thing for which they are grateful.  Not just a general concept like family or friends, but a specific, concrete experience from that day, such as the laughter of your child when you tickled her or the small display of affection you shared with your spouse or the delicious chocolate chip cookie you enjoyed.

I based my thoughts partly on Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.

Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. “How,” Ann wondered, “do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long—and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?”

In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It’s only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted … a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved — by God.

Ann goes on to describe how we often live a Waiting Room Life in which we are always waiting for the next Big Thing to happen, counting down the days until we can live the life we desire or expect.   Meanwhile, God is active all around us and we are not willing or awake to see God's daily activity in our life.  Ann's cure for the Waiting Room Life is to embrace thanksgiving, to practice gratitude everyday.  Here is a short video that captures some of the joy of practicing gratitude.

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As I write this blog post, I am grateful for the laughter I shared this morning with our staff.  Sue and Sarah and Hannah often help me see the humorous side of life, especially my own.  This morning Sue asked me if I was willing to write the blog post for this week.  I first said grudgingly, "Of course," thinking to myself "My turn again?"  She then observed that it could be on Thanksgiving. I thought, "how ironic that I feel unenthusiastic to write about Thanksgiving, when I challenged the congregation to be thankful all week." When I saw my ungrateful behavior, I laughed, knowing that I still need plenty of practice in developing a grateful attitude. Thus I am thankful that Sue made me laugh at myself.

For what are you thankful today?

Pastor John Keller

Christmas is Coming

The snow this week makes thoughts of Advent and Christmas seem timely, although there was likely no snow in Bethlehem. To help prepare hearts, minds and busy lives for the good news of our Savior’s birth, plans are underway for two events. The timeless and universal Christmas story is brought to life in new ways each year, especially when told by children and seen through their eyes. Resurrection’s family ADVENTure is an evening for families the first Sunday in Advent.

A meal is provided to allow all who participate to simply show up and enjoy a time of fellowship with others. How appropriate to prepare our hearts for the gift of the Messiah by gathering with the body of Christ! After time at the table, craft supplies and instructions are provided for families to spend time together, creating countdowns, Advent candle centerpieces, ornaments, and other items to take home. Each offers a reminder of Christ’s coming and can spark family conversations and traditions. The candles of the Advent centerpiece serve as signs of Christ’s light, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” A devotional time sends families on their way, warmed by the light of worship, community, and shared memories. This is a wonderful way to anticipate the coming of Jesus into our world and into our hearts anew.

Throughout Advent, children and adults will be rehearsing songs and lines for Faith Outfitters’ Christmas program, presented during both worship hours on Sunday, December 21. A Country Christmas imagines the Holy Family looking for room in the barn right here at Resurrection. 

Sunday School students can share their preferred roles with Director Michelle Storm this week. We read in Isaiah that a little child shall lead them. Jesus came to us as an infant. Later in his ministry, he said, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” It is clear that children are very important to God and Jesus loved children dearly. The way children love Jesus, and dramatize his birth, can touch all of our hearts and open our eyes to the real gift of Christmas. As we approach Advent, please consider these opportunities. Let the children lead us to find “Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.”

 Written by: Sarah Storvick