From Your Minister’s Desk

     It’s already the middle of November and with it the fast approaching seasonal celebrations.  I know it’s a sign of age and growing older, but it sure seems like this time of year has arrived so very quickly.  I’m not complaining, mind you.  As a matter of fact, this is my favorite time of year, but I know with its quick arrival its equally quick conclusion will come as well.   That’s why we should make every effort to live each moment to its fullest by making this Thanksgiving and Christmas season one in which we can be a blessing, and in doing so also be blessed.  I don’t know any better way to make that a certainty than through our Thanksgiving Offering, our Christmas Child effort,  and our annual Angel Tree effort.  These seasonal undertakings always turn out to be such a blessing to us as we seek to be a blessing to others.  But even as the season has arrived upon us, so also time to share has quickly arrived.  The Christmas Child shoe boxes need to be returned in just a little over a week, on Sunday Nov. 23.  Not all of the boxes have yet been taken so we all need to get on board with this effort. That is also the day that our annual Thanksgiving Dinner and its associated Love Offering will be received.  This offering will be divided between our mission efforts and our effort to pay off our remaining debt.  This is always a special offering, and this year promises you the opportunity to do something special to make this offering significant. I hope and pray that we will respond in such a way as to  reflect the degree to which we have so richly been blessed.  After these two opportunities to share have been completed, our Angel Tree will be upon us.  One thing I’ve noticed and have been bothered with over the last couple of years is the fact that we have never taken all the angels off the tree and met their needs.  The Angel Tree effort is directed toward women and children who, because of circumstances beyond their control, will likely have a very sparse and discouraging holiday season.  Last year I decided that I would challenge you to see that every angel, every need would be filled this year.  Let me warn you though, I expect this year to see more needs and thus more angels on that tree.   Yes, I am setting a lot in front of you with all three of these efforts, but I am convinced that we as a church and individuals need to know that  God has blessed us in such a way so as to be a blessing.   I’d like to challenge us all to not even start our Christmas wish lists until we’ve been faithful in meeting the need lists of  these in front of us.

                                   In Him,  Bro. Kim