Dear Friends,
I hope this week’s devotional finds you counting many, many blessings. Thank you to all those who participated in last week’s Commitment service, and a special thank you to Shawn Sutta and Jamie Perez for their musical offering. As I said, your contribution to CRUMC is noticed and appreciated in many ways from your heart-felt worship to your generous financial support to your hands-on involvement in ministry…and beyond. If you were unable to be with us, but would still like to offer a commitment to CRUMC’s ministry, please feel free to send a card to us in the mail or when you come to worship next time.
But first, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Have you ever noticed how much of our worship is Giving Thanks? We begin with a Call to Worship from the Psalms, many of which of are songs of thanksgiving from King David. Then, we have an opening hymn of that same spirit. We give thanks through song and prayer and gifts. After sharing our resources (tithes & offerings), we give thanks again for God’s blessings and sing the Doxology. Literally this is a “praiseword” from the Latin. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Then, when we celebrate communion we share the Eucharist, otherwise known as The Great Thanksgiving. Such a superlative is used because what else could we sense greater thanks about than our salvation in Jesus Christ? The Eucharist recalls God’s saving grace throughout time from creation to liberation. Thanks be to God! The Eucharist reminds us of the victory of death and sin that has been won by Jesus’ sacrifice. Thanks be to God! The Eucharist points us toward the final feast at the banquet table in heaven. Thanks be to God!
See friends, Christians should be good at giving thanks. I encourage you to see your holiday not just as a day off but as a day of worship, a time to give thanks not at church but in your home. Somewhere between the turkey and the football, the shopping and the naps tell one another why you’re thankful this year, offer a simple prayer to God, remind your family of all God has done.
Speaking of worship, this Sunday we will finish our series on Discovering Your Life’s Purpose by talking about your Mission in the world. It is also the first Sunday of Advent, so it is appropriate that angels are coming to share the news about Christ (hint, hint, this is our mission too.) No really, there will be an angel appearance! Please continue reading for a number of important announcements…
Blessed to Give Thanks!
Pastor Amber
· Prayers are requested for the Meerbott family who lost their daughter tragically this week. Tim Beerbott is a Cutler Bay Councilman and friend of the community.
· This Saturday, 11/28, is the “Hanging of the Greens” at 3pm when we will decorate our sanctuary for Advent. All are welcome to join us for some holiday teamwork!
· We had great teamwork with the preschool to make 45 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Hooray! Many thanks to Calan Chandler for delivering our boxes which are on their way to India!
· Santa’s Tree Farm is now open! Not only are you invited to purchase a tree (members receive a 15% discount) but also we are going to try some festive outreach. Caroling & Coffee on Sunday, Dec 13 and Saturday, Dec 19 at 5:30pm; and Caroling only on Wednesday, Dec 16 at 6:15pm. Please see this Sunday’s bulletin for more information about signing up.
· While you’re surfing the internet this weekend for coupons or scores, don’t forget to check out “Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church” on facebook. Also, take a look at adventconspiracy.org – one of my favorites!
