Dear St. Paul’s,
Your Stewardship Team has planned a beautiful emphasis for the Holiday season of giving and sharing: “New Love. New Mercy.” It is based in the powerful passage from Lamentations that God’s love for us never ceases. In times of trouble or struggle or worries, God’s mercies never come to an end, and so there is hope every morning. No matter where your life is and how you are feeling, when you remember God’s faithfulness you can have new hope. Our giving of ourselves to this congregation in time, service, attendance, gifts, and money flow out of this desire to be part of God’s work in saving the world.

So many ways to join in “servanthood” right now, such an exciting time at St. Paul’s:
1) With no apologies you are asked to share your money resources as generously as possible in your household budget. Stretching to give more shapes the rest of our daily decisions. Excellent ministries are popping up everywhere here. You can make a difference in building God’s reign on earth right here by sharing yourself and what you have. Never pledged? Try it this year. It means setting a giving goal and working to meet it. Bless you!
2) Thanksgiving Baskets for those who are struggling financially: See the insert enclosed. Buy extra food on the list or donate $ for buying food. Always do this, please, over and above your regular giving.
3) “Change For Change!” Our noisy coin offering container will be in the sanctuary or the ramp entrance. Get into the habit of giving away your change to meet the $1 million goal of new money for World Hunger. We can change the world, together, with everybody giving a little.
4) ServantLife (5th –12th Grade) will hand out flyers and collect food for the Thanksgiving Baskets on Saturday morning, Nov. 14 at Sun Mart from 9-11am. It will also be training on how to tell others about the needs people have for basic food.
5) Sign-up to be an Organ Donor on Sunday, Nov. 15. Such a simple thing, such a huge impact. Not to worry, at the Resurrection of the dead, in the end time, God will make all things new so it is not a problem to give yourself away any more than it was for victims of 9/11. God will re-create us in a new way, a newly resurrected body.
6) Help pack Thanksgiving Food Baskets at St. Thomas Episcapal Church, 16th & Harlan, Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10am. All ages are welcome. Come back to St. Thomas on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2pm for a brief , casual Community Thanksgiving worship and then to deliver the food baskets. It’s fun and really leaves a mark. Make time to make a difference.
7) Help set up the Free Thanksgiving Day Meal in the basement right after worship on Sunday, Nov. 22. We’ll set up the tables, decorate and set the tables. Many hands make light work.
8) Sign-up to help with the Thanksgiving Day Meal. See the insert. So many ways to help, so much fun. Bring your whole family and guests early to help, then eat a little later at home. That’s what my whole family is doing. We also want kids of all ages to help. There are even sit-down greeter jobs if walking is tough. Sign-up! Help out! Have fun! Give back!
9) Get your Advent candle or Advent wreath ready, 4 blue/purple candles + one white one in the middle. We’ll be giving each household an Advent calendar with simple devotions to do everyday with your candle/s. If you have kids at home have them help read and lead.

I love this season of giving and sharing and focusing on God’s love. Cut corners somewhere else and do the important stuff: serving others, with family and friends, teaching the generations what truly matters.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Linda