Pastor's Pen - November 2006

Dear Friends in Christ,

The month of November brings us to the end of another year in the Church. As the year comes to a close we will remember the saints, the believers, who have gone before us. We will celebrate the witness that they made that helped bring the message of salvation alive for us. We will celebrate new believers who have joined our fellowship throughout the past year in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. New saints encourage us to live faithful lives of witness and service today.

We will also celebrate the very American holiday of Thanksgiving. Though just one day set aside to give thanks for the bounty of the earth and the blessings in our lives, this celebration is an encouragement to live lives of thanksgiving in each and every day. Blessed by God we are called to be a blessing to others that they might also come to know the life saving graces of God. Recognizing all that God has done for us we are free to share blessings and good fortune with those who are in need in the world. Blessed by God we are called to be generous stewards of the gifts with which we have been blessed.

At the very end of the month we will celebrate the last Sunday of the Church year, the Festival of Christ the King. This day celebrates Christ as th ruler of the universe, enthroned in power and glory as the sign of the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation. The victory over sin and death has been won. Christians celebrate and rejoice and proclaim the victory of God's love for the sake of the whole of God's creation. In a world in which many things are worshiped as king, we witness to one king and one lord of all. The readings at the end of the church year speak of the end times and of the promise of victory for all in the Savior. As a result of what God has already done for us in Jesus, we are assured that no matter what comes we will share in the victory of the end times as the Spirit works and renews faith in us each day.

Even as the church year comes to a close, we will be anticipating the beginning of a new year and the promise of the return of the Savior. Beginning to end the church year witnesses to the love of God freely given in the Savior, Jesus the Christ. Season to season we are called to follow Christ more and more as we are renewed and transformed for faithful living every day.