The evenings come earlier this time of year. Not more than two months ago you could be in your yard working at eight o’clock and the neighbors would not think a thing of it with all that daylight. Now if you are out working with a flashlight in hand or with a minor’s light on your forehead, they would wonder about your sensibility as you blow leaves to the curb before the collection crew comes the next morning. You might get some strange looks the next day from your neighbors after an evening of leaf blowing in the dark. They wave more cautiously, avoid eye contact, and get into their cars a little faster. It is interesting how perceptions change as time moves on.

This is a good time to stop and think before the busyness of the Holiday season sends us into a flurry of activities and shopping. A time to look to see what is really important and check how we want to remember how we, this season, should be. Do we really need to do all the things we used to do or is a quieter more sensible approach to Christmas needed? Do we really need fourteen crockpots, two of them broken, one with a foot missing, and two more without lids? Do we really need the 100th tie when we no longer wear suits? Do we need instead to check in with friends we have not talked to for a while? Call the relative we have not communicated with to let them know we are thinking about them?

This November let us look at the things that really count and concentrate on those things. If we get to know our neighbors better, maybe we can re-establish eye contact and talk about the things that matter the most between us. If we contact family, maybe that person will feel better knowing he or she is being thought of.

In closing, we are in the middle of our yearly stewardship drive as I  write this. Please consider your pledge for the next year. Our costs are increasing by 6%. If you can increase your pledge we would be most grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving

Pastor Mark