As I mentioned back in October’s front page, we will be starting a four-week
worship series, “A Wonder-Full Life” during the month of November. (The
series is not a lectionary-based series, but I will post the passages from the
Revised Common Lectionary in the newsletter, anyway) Even though this
series will be a bit of a departure from what we usually do in worship during the month of November, we will still be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion and recognizing All Saints on the first weekend of the month (November 2nd/3rd), as have done, traditionally.
Personally, I think that the celebration of Holy Communion and the
remembrance of the people that have left us to join the Church Triumphant is a fitting thing to do on a Sunday when we begin a worship series designed to celebrate the wonder and fullness of the life that we enjoy. The persons that have come before us, and whose departures from us we mark in solemn remembrance, are a gift. Each one represents a link to our past.
As the years go on, I have noticed that the names added to the Church Triumphant includes family members, teachers, mentors, and colleagues. No doubt, you’ve noticed the same thing in your lives. Each of those persons have had an impact on our spiritual development and it is good for us to remember them.
And speaking of November traditions, we will be participating in A
Community Service of Thanksgiving with First Congregational UCC on
November 27th at 7:00 p.m. Since this is an odd-numbered year, First
Congregational will be hosting the service this time around. It is always good to be able to worship with our friends from our sister congregation and the singing is always excellent! I hope that a good number of you will be able to participate in this worship service.
And—to borrow a line from the 1970’s TV detective, Columbo–”Just one more thing…”–I encourage you to keep your eyes open in the weeks ahead as we draw closer to Advent and the ministry and mission opportunities that will present themselves. The time will be here sooner than we can imagine.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Jim Hoppert
