Pastor’s Perspective: Harvest Reflection

Dear Church Family,

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, when all through the house, not a room without snoring, not even a couch.

I write this Friday morning Pastor's Perspective in the early morning hours after Thanksgiving. Tiptoeing through the house, I find the only unoccupied spot for my quiet morning devotions, the foyer. 21 sleeping family members from 5 different states are scattered in various cubby holes of the place. Since it is to early, and a bit to cold, for a treestand, I will nestle in right here until a baby awakes, breaking my morning solitude:)

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has long since been my favorite time of the year. (A baby just cried, stuff the nooky in) In my youth, on the dairy farm, Thanksgiving marked the end of the harvest. The barn was full of small, carefully stacked square bales of hay, the grain silo's were filled with silage and shelled corn, and the soybean were stored, ready for roasting. It was now time for a trip to the Blue ridge mountains for deer hunting at "This-L-Do cabin!

Today, 59 years have gone by and I still treasure the opportunity to reflect back on God's faithfulness and provision. Time has brought seasons of both gladness and sadness. Some of my childhood dreams have come to fruition, some remain in anticipation, and some I have dropped along the way. Somehow, God has used all things to for the good, His grace is sufficient.

This Sunday, Dec 1st, is the first of 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas. May we prepare our hearts for meaningful celebrations around the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ! We start the month with a very special family Sunday. My dear friend, and fellow Calvary Chapel pastor, Ronny Breen, will be helping me with the children's story time, and preaching. His personal story of redemption and his teaching from the gospel of John will encourage our hearts! Bring the family for this special gathering, and remember, if it gets full, there is probably still a spot in the foyer for you:)

Here is a list of our special Christmas gatherings:

- Fri, Dec 6th: "Overflowing Praise in the Overflowing Cup"
- Wed, Dec 18th - "Family Christmas Gathering"
- Tuesday, Dec 24th - "Christmas Eve Service"

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Marv