Dear St. Lukers,
Happy Thanksgiving! On this day of gratitude, we want to let you know what a privilege it is to be in ministry at St. Luke’s with you. Being on staff together and serving with you as a congregation brings us FULL JOY, and makes our lives abundant. Thank you for all the ways you support the ministry of St. Luke’s with your time, talent, prayers, and presence, making St. Luke’s a beacon of light and love in our community.
In the Sanctuary this past Sunday, I couldn’t help but see both the tree of Purpose-Full living we have had on the stage this fall and the Chrismon tree in the transept. With the quick turnaround between the last Sunday of fall and the first Sunday of Advent, all happening over the Thanksgiving holiday, we had to have a Sunday of transition in our décor. But I found beauty in the metaphor–we often find ourselves in the space between “two trees.” Sometimes, life is about sitting in the midst of the “between” seasons in our life–moments of great production and harvest and moments of waiting for something new to be birthed. There is something powerful about learning to sit with oneself and God “in-between”–learning to trust, hope, and find peace in what was and what is to come, learning to set aside the anxiety and worry to put our trust in God.
This Sunday, we move toward “something being born” with the beginning of Advent, the season of “between” when we prepare our hearts and lives for the new life God will birth in us through the Incarnation of Christ. He is not born yet–no need to jump to Christmas Eve. First, we must prepare and be ready for what this new life will bring to our old life.
Fear Not! is our worship series title as we let the angels meet Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds with the reminder for each of us that we have nothing to fear when God is shaping our story! Join us in worship each week on campus or online as we begin to light the advent wreath and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child with hope, love, peace, and joy.
As you gather with your family and friends over the next few days, may you see the fullness of God’s blessings all around you; in the memories, the laughter, and the smiles of those you love AND those you are just meeting. May you feel hope all around you, sealing each memory of this season on your heart as you anticipate what story God may write in you!
With grateful and anticipating hearts –
Pastor Jenn and St. Luke’s Staff