From Pastor's Desk
This year I have been going through the church year and discussing the seasons and festivals and how those festivals have been celebrated throughout the world. In November I wanted to talk about Thanksgiving. Which we usually don’t see as a religious holiday. It isn’t attached to the life of Christ like Christmas or Easter. So, I had always seen Thanksgiving as a Secular holiday that we as Christians gave religious fervor.
This is not the Case. Thanksgiving services are as common and as early in America as the thanksgiving services themselves. Thanksgiving services were routine in what became known as the Commonwealth of Virginia as early as 1607. Jamestown Virginia held Thanksgiving in 1610.1
In 1619, 38 English Settlers celebrated a thanksgiving immediately upon landing in Virginia. “That day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantation in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.”2
I think in this way Thanksgiving is at its core a Religious Holiday. It is for us to Thank God for our welfare, our health, and our Harvest. Today as Christians we can continue to use the day to thank God for all the good things in our lives, He has given us.
Footnotes: 1. taken from the Wikipedia article on Thanksgiving (United States) on 10/27/2022 [The wiki article Citation is “Teacher’s Guide Set: Thanksgiving.” Library of Congress.] 2. Ibid: [Citation Dowdy, Clifford (1957). The Great Plantation. Rinehart and Co. pp. 29-37.]
Thanksgiving Services
Wednesday – November 23th Thanksgiving Eve Service at St. Paul – 7:00 pm Thursday – November 24th Thanksgiving Day Service at St. Peter – 9:00 am
Offering for for LCMs World Relief
St. Peter – Changes CHANGES: The Christmas Poinsettias & Easter Flowers will no longer be available from Hastedst/Jeff Brubaker. We have priced with area florists and their prices are considerably higher and they do not deliver. The Altar Guild only has a few active members and we are reaching out for more help. Option: Members can purchase their own poinsettias where they want and bring them to church to be displayed for the Christmas services. More information will be given. Questions call 419-980-0979
St. Peter - Board of Witness
Starting Sunday, November 6th, we will be taking monetary donations in the narthex to provide a family in the community with a brighter Christmas. There will be information to come about the family we will be adopting this year. Donations will be taken through Sunday, December 12th.
St. Peter - Sunday School Christmas Program
I would love to do a Christmas Program again as we usually do, but it is difficult when we are only having 2-6 kids come to Sunday School on a weekly basis. I encourage you to have your children bring friends, cousins, and neighbors. As the saying goes, the more the merrier! Contact Bridgett with ideas, questions, and concerns in regards to Sunday School.
Greetings from Preschool!
Our Preschool classes enjoyed learning about Fire Safety and have been learning about all things Fall. They also enjoyed some trips to the library, to Mahnke Apple Orchard, and T22 farms. We also talked about how God keeps his promises and is loving and forgiving and learned about some Bible stories including: Abraham & Sarah, Joseph and his colorful coat, and Moses. Next month, we will be learning about Praise & Thanksgiving stories from the Bible as well as continuing our Fall study including Harvest along with Pilgrims & Indians. Our Preschool will be collecting items for a Thanksgiving Food Drive for some families in need within our Preschool Community. Items will be collected through Sunday, November 20 and distributed the week of Thanksgiving to those in need. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase a turkey or ham for families in need. Please see Emilie Parsons or a Preschool Committee member with any other questions or donations…we greatly appreciate it! Our Preschool classes will be enjoying a Family Feast with their parents the week of Thanksgiving and we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving as well too! Mrs. Arce
