Appleseed Ponderings- October/November 2024

Wow! Sometimes the pace of life and church and work and… just overwhelms the best of intentions. I didn’t even realize I missed “Appleseed Pondering” for October! Thank God’s goodness for calling us together and sending us out to serve, ensuring that is our focus.

This solidarity in mission is a blessing and is needed as we reach out into our community with ministry and support, whether we are returning borrowed chairs; coordinating work to be done for the Fire Marshall; sharing church conference with the cluster of churches to which we belong; receiving and placing custom pew-chairs; saying farewell to beloved friend and member, Tom Reed; replacing the missing license tag from one of the buses; celebrating the giftedness of our staff and pastor with lunch and appreciation; starting a Men’s Fellowship; completing the Disciple’ Path small group and welcoming new members; celebrating Jack and Debbie’s wedding joy; developing a plan to offer more engagement for online attenders; receiving Rev. Bill Brown at Church Council to share more about future planning; responding to missional efforts for pajamas, food, donations for victims of hurricanes, and packing flood buckets for families in need, among them. Thanks be to God for willing hearts and hands in service!

An intentional effort launched to solidify our ministry plans with the Generous Together stewardship campaign and to generate funds for the 2025 year of missions, programs, and ministries at Community. This is imperative, especially since there is a pending shortfall for the current year. Pastor communicated in multiple ways and invited each of us to participate with a faithful next step up as we could. He and Courtney preached four weeks of inspirational and motivational sermons, grounding them in the devotional and campaign prayer, which everyone received as a key tag. We are thankful that we received more estimates of giving cards than last year and a pledged increase over this year’s projected income! This added to our celebration over a shared brunch! Still, friends, planning with estimates based on past giving instead of current intentions is difficult for the Finance Team! Please return your estimate of giving card, even if it is later than requested.

Last Sunday was the end of the church year and Christ the King Sunday. This Sunday, we begin Advent and preparation for the coming of Jesus again to shine his Light and Life into the world’s darkness. We’ll honor the ritual of lighting candles on the Advent wreath representing hope, peace, joy, and love, with the Christ candle being lit on Christmas Eve. There will be a Longest Night contemplative and prayerful service on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m., and both a Family service at 3 p.m. and a Traditional Candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. All of these will be in the Sanctuary.

And, there will be our Annual Cookie Walk, Children’s Musical, and a “Ring in the New Year” Messy Church. More information for all of these will be in the Community Connection.

Oh, my, don’t we have so much to be thankful for as we thank God for blessings on Thursday? There is a lot to be grateful for, as a church family as we look forward to God’s gift of his Son, Jesus, during Advent and Christmas.

May merry thanksliving be yours in Christ now and always,
Barb Julian, Lay Leader