~Times and Seasons~
“God changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings;
God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those
who have understanding.”
~Daniel 2:21
Dear Members and Friends,
Don’t you love the fall? We had the most beautiful October we’ve seen in years. Thanksgiving is still one of the most truly pure holidays; aside from turkey and cranberry sauce, you can celebrate your gratitude in any un-commercialized way you like. Of course, fall does have its “shadow side.” Gory Halloween decorations and pumpkin spice coffee come to mind. But the beauty of this time more than makes up for that: the cooler temperatures, the earthy, leafy smells, the brilliant colors. Even the gathering grays of November have their place in the marching pageant of seasons.
What I don’t always love about fall is the annual church stewardship drive. Why does it always have to come in October and November? Each fall we pause to think about the blessings of our lives and the things we have to be grateful for. I suppose we do this especially in the fall because that’s when crops come ripe for harvest. Back in the days when society was more closely linked to the land, it was a time of richness and abundance, but also a time to put aside anything you might need for the long winter ahead. In autumn still today, we look upon the fruits of our labors and think about how best to apportion them according to our life’s commitments, setting aside certain amounts for the causes, and the people, and the groups that we hold in our hearts. Just from a practical standpoint, the end of the year is also a good time to put together a projected budget for the year ahead.
“Belonging to God” has been our stewardship theme this fall. We’ve been more intentional this year about highlighting this theme as it applies to every aspect of our lives, not just our finances. Instead of a single “stewardship sermon,” which typically culminates in a financial request, we’ve been exploring what it means to belong to God in terms of our time, and energies, and behaviors. Thank you for your participation in the life of Bower Hill Church. We hope that you will spend some of these lovely fall days reflecting on what “belonging to God” means to you.
In Christ’s Peace,
~Brian