Waynesboro Church of the Brethren Newsletter
November 22, 2020
From The Pastor's Desk
This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving which is a time set aside to give thanks to Jesus for all the things we’ve been given. Thanksgiving seems to be a very American holiday. In fact, it always astounds me that most of our nation celebrates Thanksgiving remarkably the same. We eat turkey and pumpkin pie, watch football, get the Christmas decorations out, and we visit with friends and family. In a nation of over 320 million people we’re all united in this despite of racial, economic, and political differences. While we can trace Thanksgiving’s lineage back to the Pilgrims of the 1620’s, the holiday is actually Biblical at its roots. The Hebrews of the Old Testament, beginning with the ones Moses led out of Egypt, paused to give thanks to God. When Ezra dedicated the 2nd Temple there was a huge thanksgiving celebration. Throughout the New Testament Jesus gave thanks to God, even though He was a part of God. Paul, in his letters, often gave thanks for God and the people he had the divine privilege to serve. Indeed, if we investigate scripture, we find that Thanksgiving is more than uniquely American, it’s uniquely Christian. It’s not a coincidence that the faithful believers we most admire are also the most thankful. To be thankful in a world that is increasingly negative takes discipline. Being thankful is more than an attitude it’s a lifestyle. For a Christian being grateful is as important as being forgiving. In fact, I believe there’s a direct correlation between being thankful and forgiving. They both are affairs of the heart and are guided by the Holy Spirit. If you show me a positive, thankful person, it’s very likely that they are forgiving as well. These two Christian attributes seem to walk hand and hand. May we as Christians challenge ourselves during these challenging days to be thankful to God for everything, to be thankful for the people in our lives, and to be thankful for the opportunity to share God’s grace. Happy Thanksgiving! -Pastor John
The 2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES are now available for pick-up. They are located in back of the sanctuary
Bill McFerrin, Bonnie Royer, Heidi Stahl, Gail Schmeisser, Sean Harper, Jamie Stevens, Brad Smith, Betty Wolfe, Bev Fry, Aaron Fawks, Jennifer Cribrari, Gavin Whisel
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
4 - Matt Baker
4 - Penny Stitely 6 - T. J. Cox 7- Norma Biser 7 - Edith Lampé 9 - Jonell Bittinger 14 - Bob Snader 16 - Mildred Hull 17 - Barbara Hickman 18 - Audrey Smith 20 - Justin Rinehart 22 - Mary Jean Bechard 29 - Bill Kercheval 30 - Logan Sampson NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
2 - Lawson McFerren
2 - Andrew Paterno 7 - Edith Snader 8 - Jacksen Baker 9 - Allison McFerren 9 - Shade Naugle 9 - Bill Smith 10 - Jean Mellott 18 - Paul Behnke 19 - Sam Martin 19 - Jesse Miles 20 - Rebecca (Angle) Wells 28 - Sandy Pruszko 28 - Montanna Harnish 29 - Jordan Behnke 29 - Tio Seilhamer |
There will be a Congregational Business Meeting immediately following the church service on Sunday, December 6th to vote on the 2021 budget. Copies of the proposed budget will be available in the church lobby.
Upcoming EventsNOVEMBER:
SU/22: Children’s Church SU/22: Handbells Playing M /23: Hanging of the Greens - 6:30 p.m. W /25: Prayer Group - 10:00 a.m. TH/26: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! SU/29: First Sunday of Advent SU/29: Handbells after worship DECEMBER: W / 2: Prayer Group - 10:00 a.m. TH/ 3: Handbells - 5:30-6:15 p.m. SA/ 5: Deck the Halls @ Camp Eder SA/ 5: Fellowship Hall reserved - 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. SU/ 6: Second Sunday of Advent SU/ 6: Children’s Church SU/ 6: Congregational Business Meeting after worship 
If you don’t want to keep your personal altar flowers, contact Sandy Koziel and she will put them in the lobby garden until they are no longer fresh.
Please remember our SHUT-INS & OTHERS with special needs: Lucille Barkdoll, Norma Biser, Al Guyer, Earl Hovis, Mildred Hull, Dot Luty, Edith Snader, John Carson, Dave Hockenberry, Jackie Ridge, Joanna Helfrick, Paula Ringer, Bill Kercheval, Edith Lampe
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