Friday, November 17, 2017

What’s on your gratitude list?

I am thankful to be a part of the TUMC church family.

I feel joyful when I hear the Youth Group having fun on Sunday evenings.

I am thankful that we will be sharing a meal together after worship this Sunday (please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert as the church is providing ham, green beans, rolls, and drinks).

I really appreciate that a new picture directory begins being made this Sunday!

I am thankful for the many ways you share your gratitude with God’s children, including through our Red Wagon Sunday, which is this Sunday for Emma Elementary. You can bring donations to the church anytime, or place them on the altar this Sunday. Their most-needed items are: Cereal, Dry Beans, Rice, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Tuna, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Cooking Oil, Sugar, Self-Rising Flour, Corn Meal, Laundry Soap, Dish Detergent (not for dishwashers), Shampoo/Conditioner, Deodorant, and Diapers. As you’re shopping for the big meal on Thursday, consider picking up an item or two for this effort.

Wouldn’t it be fun to have 100 jars of Peanut Butter & Jelly to deliver?!?

This is also the Sunday culminating the Stewardship Campaign. We’ve received 42 household pledges totaling close to $180,000 thus far. Our goal is 70 pledges out of a possible 100 households. The Finance Committee has worked many hours on our 2018 Budget this past week, and we will be presenting that budget at the Council meeting on Dec. 3 after worship (all are welcome to any Council meetings!). If you haven’t already, please turn in your pledge form, bearing in mind the goal is not a certain amount of money – it is to increase the number of households making a pledge – so even if you are not able to commit to an amount but know you will regularly give an offering, please go ahead and fill out a pledge form.

Our texts this Sunday focus on the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30, as well as 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 and Psalm 126. Worship will center on the stewardship of our mission and how each one of us (no matter our “brick-making ability” to reference last week’s sermon) plays a role in our mission. Both handbell and children’s choirs will share in worship. See you Sunday!

With gratitude ~

Nancy