Give Thanks!
Dear Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Do you feel grateful this time of year? Perhaps you feel guilty even hearing this question. You know the answer is no, but the answer ought to be yes. You remember the joy and cheer of gratitude with nostalgia. Maybe you did feel grateful and look forward to the little rituals and conversations at Thanksgiving that reignite the tolerance for less. Conversely, do you feel no gratitude and no remorse? Thanksgiving is simply a distraction of food and football from the rush of life, and you resist attempts to spiritualize it. However talk about turkey and Thanksgiving and gratitude and grace hit you today, God has something to say about the posture of our hearts. God invites us to open our hearts. When we open our hearts, soften our hearts, knead our hearts, we allow God to work the peace that passes all understanding. God says, “a heart of peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). This peace comes from knowing and experiencing this unconditional love of God. God also warns us that envy, an all too common emotion, destroys who we really are as His baptized children. Arguably, the American economy runs on envy, and we are told, “comparison is the thief of joy.” Don’t let comparisons and what you don’t have cloud the peace God wants to give you today through Jesus’ love. This November and December, we have a few opportunities to knead our hearts. We have chances to break down calluses and let care in. We have a moment to cast out goods and let God hallow us. We have the supreme opportunity to let go of judgment and welcome grace Himself. Please note the following special comings and goings at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Meet and Follow Jesus: • Join us for a special Christmas tree decorating service at 9:30 AM on November 30th complete with cookies and hot chocolate. • Come out for a special neighborhood worship service at Encanto Park at 7 PM on the evening of Wednesday, December 3rd. This is an exciting chance to take church beyond our walls to our neighbors. • Night of Worship for students at Mount Calvary at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 17th. • Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship is on the 24th at 7 PM. Serve Central Phoenix with Jesus: • As always, 10% of all unrestricted gifts to the church will go towards our mission of the quarter, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. • If you are interested in leaving a legacy gift to Mount Calvary or have an end-of-the-year gift planned, please see Mr. Guy Ludwig or Pastor Kurt Hellwig. • A few housing needs have come up in the congregation. If you have an extra room available, please see Pastor Kurt. • Finally, as many of you have heard, area food banks are running low. Let’s give back through our food bank blitz on Sunday, November 23rd. Please bring your non-perishable gifts to worship. All proceeds to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. In the words of Psalm 41, “blessed is he who remembers the poor and needy.” Let us open our hearts for God’s love to come in and our love for others to run out this time of year. With a grateful heart, Pastor Kurt Hellwig