Aloha!
I have a pastor- friend who refers to the busy fall calendar
as the Fall Frenzy. It seems that the
pace quickens through the end of December.
This fall has been especially stressful for many with drastic financial
events, soaring costs of living, unemployment rising, and a Presidential
election of historical proportions. This
time in the church calendar is referred to as
Ordinary Time – the long period
between Pentecost and Advent – for often the greatest challenges in our lives
come not when we are celebrating holidays and holy days – like Christmas and
Easter and Pentecost – but during the grueling pace of life lived in the midst
of crises and challenges.
In the midst of crises and challenges, the church calendar
reminds us of greater realities:
- All
Saints’ Day (November 1), reminds us, “we are surrounded by so great a
great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).
We honor and celebrate those who have gone before us in the faith,
who laid the foundation of faith for us.
- Stewardship
Sunday (November 9), reminds us that everything we have – time, talents,
treasures – is a gift from God.
- Reign
of Christ Sunday (November 23), the final Sunday of the yearly liturgical
calendar year, reminds us that Christ will come again at the end of the
age, and make all things right.
- Thanksgiving
(November 27) reminds us to be thankful and grateful for all the many
blessings that we have received.
- Advent
(begins November 30), the first Sunday of the yearly liturgical calendar,
reminds us of the time of hopeful waiting for the birth of Christ even as
we anticipate Christ’s return.
Join us in worship as we hold onto these reminders of our
God who creates us, shares all of creation with us, sustains us, and gives us
hope for the future.
To God be all the glory!
Pastor Anne
