Gratitude

November 22, 2022

Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,

As you anticipate observing our national day of Thanksgiving on Thursday, there are likely traditions and practices for which you prepare. Something I like to do is compile a gratitude list. The more attention I devote to this list, the less I feel it necessary to assemble another list — a  list of complaints and grievances about things that are out of my direct control (and that is most things!).  

Reflecting on the life of our congregation, I give thanks for the many hands and hearts that are committed to serving and simply doing the things that need doing.  Just the other evening when I arrived at the church, I encountered a team of folks assembling our new photo directories for distribution on Sunday. Others were setting up a Christmas tree in the gathering area for the Advent Good Giving ministry. Down the hall, others were gathering to continue work on developing the proposed 2023 Spending Plan/Budget. In the library, a newly appointed task force was preparing to discuss our memorial gift policy and begin work on revising the memorial garden/collumbarium brochure and guidelines.

I don’t mean to paint a picture that depicts busyness as being the ideal. What that brief snapshot into the life of our congregation outside of Sunday morning helped me to recognize is how faithful the stewardship of time and talent is within the church. For that, I am thankful.

And more than that, in all those activities was a committment to the ministry and outreach that is enabled and supported by all that work. We clearly don’t exist for ourselves, but in order to be a blessing to others.  For that, God is thankful!

Now, you know much is happening this week.  Tomorrow evening, Thanksgiving Eve, the Conococheague Mission Cooperative is having a Thanksgiving Worship Service at Calvary United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Just two days after Thanksgiving, there is an Advent Retreat on Saturday morning featuring a presentation by Sister Thelma of the Tau Hermitage. On Sunday morning, the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year and a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. On Sunday evening, our annual Begin the Blessed Season gathering will be held in the fellowship hall.  

I hope you are able and willing to participate in these events and gatherings as we begin a new year together. You will be blessed in order that we may continue to be a blessing to others.

Again, thank you for your ongoing support of and engagement in the ministry we share. It continues to be my great pleasure to serve as your pastor. I ask for your prayers for me and for one another as we continue the good work to which God calls us.

In Christ’s love for you,

Pastor Christopher Frye