Dear Church Family, 
Thanksgiving is upon us.  It is my favorite holiday, in part because it is still largely devoid of commercialism. The focus is on the importance of living with an attitude of gratitude.  Sometimes that comes easily, but sometimes that is hard depending on circumstances which may be affecting us.   I
The popular hymn “Now Thank We All Our God” which we will sing on Sunday, was written by Martin Rinkart as a table  grace to remind his family of blessings during a very difficult time.  It was in the middle of the 30 years war in the 17th c., with the countryside torn apart.  Rinkart was caring for a number of  refugees fleeing from the war.  The plague was rearing its ugly head again.   Resources were meager and food scarce.   But Rinkart was determined to find cause to offer thanks in the most troublesome of times. Christianity asks a tough thing of us—that we find ways to transcend those things which discourage and pull us down and to live by hope.  
One way we do that is by showing empathy for others and providing support for those in need. We are again providing resources for a Thanksgiving meal for six families in need in our community.  Many of you have graciously signed up to bring food items for the baskets by this Sunday.,  Thanks to each of you.  We talked this week to a man who is organizing the Thanksgiving Day meal at our former church in Virginia.  When we were there we served about 800 people.  This year they are planning for 1100.  It warms my heart that this ministry continues. 
This Sunday is “Christ the King” Sunday, the last Sunday in the church year. It is also St. Andrew’s day, set aside to mark Scotland’s patron saint ( so feel free to wear your tartans!) We will be focusing on a Thanksgiving theme.  The texts are Deuteronomy 6:10-13, 20-25 and Hebrews 11:1-4, 8, 17, 23-25, 29, 32-34; 13:14.  The sermon is “Pilgrim Faith.”
See you in  church,
Rich