St. Paul's Church

November 26, 2013 

 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Dear St. Paul's,

           Growing up in Connecticut, whenever I received a gift from an adult, my parents would make me sit down and write a thank you note to the gift giver.  Oh, how I dreaded those notes!  Part of the reason was because I was a typical young boy-I just wanted to enjoy the gift, whatever it was.  Fly the kite, build the model, throw the darts.  "Let me have fun!" I said.  Finally after multiple threats, or the revocation of the gift, I would sit down with my pencil and a dog-eared piece of paper, and write a rough draft.  "Dear Ant Sally, thank you so much for the amazing James Bond car.  The ejecter seat is my favrit..."  Then my mom and dad would pour over the smudged manuscript, making sure the grammar and spelling were correct.  "You gotta fix this, this, and this."  It was pure torture.

            Granted, my parents were a tad over zealous in their thank you note orthodoxy, but I just didn't really get the value of the exercise.  I wondered, "What is wrong with these people?  Do they give gifts just to make kids miserable, forcing them to make payment with these silly notes?"  It made absolutely no sense to me.  And even when Aunt Sally would come to me later and say "Oh, Jon, thank you so much for your note.  I loved it!"  I would smile politely, and my parents would beam, but inside it was grumble, grumble, grumble.  "If you only knew what you put me through..." 

            You'll be happy to know that I've seen the light.  I finally got it.  Expressing thanks isn't about "making payment" to someone for gifts given to me.  Gratitude is a balm for my own soul.  Gratitude is a shield against my selfish inclinations.  Gratitude is humility in action.  Forget cleanliness-gratitude is next to godliness.  So in this season of Thanksgiving, and as Advent approaches, be intentional about giving thanks for all that God has already done for you.  Be grateful for what you already have.  "Dear God, thank you so much for the amazing year that you've given to me and to my family.  Thank you so much for what you are doing at St. Paul's.  It's a miracle how you worked out that challenge we were facing..."  All of a sudden, those things which haven't worked out so well just seem to fade away. 

Somewhere, my parents are smiling.  Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless as you await the Newborn King.

Gratefully in Christ,

Pr. Jon 

ST. PAUL'S 

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK

* COME ONE - COME ALL *

Join Us For A Fun Evening of Fellowship, Delicious Delights, Caroling & Christmas Cheer

  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th

5:30 - 7:30 PM

 Hosted by

Carmen Cachaldora

580 Reef Road

The Moorings/Beachside

Please R.S.V.P.  the church office and bring your

favorite side dish or dessert.

Dear St. Paul's Friends.

We can't tell you enough how much we appreciate your investment in our fledgling church plant.  As you probably know, we need all of the help we can get.  We've sent Jon and Norma recent prayer requests and "next steps" for Crossroads.  

Make no mistake, this work is challenging!  It isn't simply the effort it takes. it is very much the day-to-day faith (and sometimes hour-to-hour!) that is required to do what God has called us to.  This is most definitely a trust-walk!  Read Hebrews 10, 11 and 12 and you will know what we mean.  Jon knows! 

We are so grateful for your co-laboring as we pray this work up!  Don't stop!  Our effectiveness depends on it!  And when we received a phone call telling us of your financial commitment, it made our day!  I was having lunch with a key team member, his name is Randy Caldejon, when I received word on my iPhone of your gift.  It was the last day of the month.  Our need was real and your contribution couldn't have been more timely.  We laughed with joy!

We hope you will enjoy the news, plans and prayer requests as they come your way from time to time.  Alison and I and our small burgeoning Crossroads team are definitely people on a mission and you are in it with us!

Gratefully,

Dave and Alison Petty    

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you to everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child.  The Sunday School children and the Skimmers filled a total of 28 boxes with school supplies, hygiene products, books and toys.  Please pray that every child who receives a shoebox will come to know Jesus.

Poinsettias

We will decorate our worship space with poinsettias.   If you want to offer a gift in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for some special blessing, please print this notice & include it with a $10 check made payable to "St. Paul's Church" and mail or deliver to the church office.  Deadline is December 15, 2013.

Donor:__________________________________________________________

In memory  of:___________________________________________________

OR 

In thanksgiving for:_______________________________________________ 

BIRTHDAYS 

03  Dana Pederson

05  Robin Hanson

06  Cliff Norris

09  Sky Demsick

09  Lucy Demsick

15  Doug Hillman

16  Ford Norris

16  Dorian Voorhees

17  Lori Tomlinson

25  Elizabeth Whisman

25  Jillian Lombardo

30  Bennett O'Brien

ANNIVERSARIES

04  Doug & Marie Hillman

21  Gary & Connie Owen

31  Randy & Janie Caputo

(Please call the church office if your birth date or