Happy Thanksgiving

A blessed Thanksgiving Eve to all of you.  I hope this note finds you well, though I suspect that many of you are feeling sad and sorry that tomorrow will be a vastly different Thanksgiving than you’d like it to be.  I find myself feeling a little sad today, too.

I spent a little time on the phone with someone today who is having some challenges.  But we agreed that even with all the health challenges and other challenges that we have a lot to be thankful for.

We will tackle the commandment about adultery next week (spoiler alert, God is against it!).  But for now, let me simple share one of my favorite Thanksgiving Psalms.  Psalm 100:

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.  May we all find something to be thankful for – and may we be strengthened to meet the challenges of this moment, and encouraged in these next faithful steps of the journey.

 

Giving Tree is now up – online, at least!

We are doing our annual giving tree project again this year.  But instead of a literal tree in the concourse, tags can be checked out online.  Elana also has tags in the church office.  You can do the shopping yourself, or check out the tag and donate some money … and we’ll do the shopping for you!  Visit wadenaimmanuel.org and click on the Christmas tree to learn more.  Call the church office 631-2738 with any questions.

 

Advent Evening Prayer on Facebook

Join us each Advent Sunday on our Facebook page at 5pm for a 5- or 6-minute video reflecting on loss, grief, and hope.  Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one – recent or many years ago – or the loss of something this pandemic has taken from you, join us for these brief video moments, which will include candles, psalms, and prayers of lament.  Dates are November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20.  Visit wadenaimmanuel.org for the link to our Facebook page.

 

Facebook Live, YouTube, and the Radio … and House Church, too – there are lots of other ways to be the church at this time.  You can watch our Sunday services on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/immanuelwadena/), watch our YouTube videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMFQfq69KQTMX70_5fwARQ), listen to us on the radio (KWAD 920AM at 9:30am each Sunday) or participate in House Church (https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/housechurch).

 

Fair Trade Coffee is Available

Your favorite fair trade items are still available at the church building during the week. We've set up a display in the kitchen with prices marked. Stop by the church building during the week and pick up anything you'd like. Fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate make great Christmas gifts too! Make checks payable to Immanuel Church Women" and put "Fair Trade" in the memo line. You can drop off checks in the church office. Thanks for helping support small scale farmers around the globe!

 

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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