Pastor's Message - November 2025

~ Give Thanks~

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Members and Friends,

“Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks in all circumstances.” In ALL circumstances? I’m sure it’s good advice, but aren’t there some circumstances when you’d hesitate to tell a person to give thanks? God works to bring good out of all things, but you probably don’t want to tell someone to “give thanks” when their dog dies, for example. Gratitude is always in order, but there are times when we’re just not feeling it. A helpful practice, in this season of gratitude, is to look past the things for which we are not grateful and name the things for which we are grateful.

Our 58th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place at Temple Emanuel on Tuesday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. Can you believe that we’ve been getting together for 58 years to be grateful with—and for—each other? The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service was originally started by Temple Emanuel (Reform Jewish), Good Shepherd (Lutheran), Our Lady of Grace (Catholic), and Bower Hill (Presbyterian). For many years, only these four congregations took part. Recently, Our Lady of Grace has been pulled out by their priest; Good Shepherd Lutheran has closed its doors; Muslims from the Turkish Cultural Center have entered the mix; Hindus have occasionally added their part; and Catholics have returned in the form of “Catholics for Change in Our Church,” a progressive group advocating for inclusion and ecumenical cooperation.

This year, our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be modeled on the Jewish celebration of Sukkot—the harvest “Festival of Booths.” In addition to music and prayers from the various faith traditions, participants will sit together at tables and participate in a guided discussion of gratitude and “the unseen guest” that each of us would like to invite to our table. No worries if you don’t like talking in small groups; it will be introvert-friendly!

Also, in November, we come into Stewardship Season. The word “stewardship” can be intimidating. Whenever you hear it, you know it’s time for the annual shakedown. But I hope we can think bigger about it this time around. The word “stewardship” refers to the work of a sty-ward, a keeper of pigpens. Yes, of course the church needs money. But more than that, our world needs people who understand that all things are on loan to us from God, and that those who have much are called to give much. Our theme this year is “In Real Life,” taken from 1 Timothy 6:17-20:

“As for those who in the present age are rich [you know who this means…], command them not to be haughty or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches but rather on God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”

Rejoice, pray, be grateful, be generous. Sounds like a good way to live a life.

Christ’s Peace,

~Brian