To Members and Friends of the San Carlos Community Churches:
Pentecost began back on June 4th at the beginning of summer, which seems like a long time ago, and it was. It began, Pentecost, the Christian faith, with a blaze of light, a rushing of wind and the Holy Spirit illuminating that upper room in Jerusalem, giving the crestfallen disciples the courage to speak with the tongues of angels and to preach with the hearts of lions.
Today we look forward to Sunday, November 19, 2023, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. While it is not yet the beginning of winter, it cannot be far off. Summer and the wonderfully warm autumn we had are certainly behind us at this point. We now look forward to the holidays, the feasts, the celebrations that get us through the winter darkness.
Now the sun’s light is fading and we know that the deep transformation of winter is on its way. On a summer’s day one can just sit outside and be happy. In the winter we need to work at it. In this season we have to turn towards our own inner light. Human relationships become all the more important and our faith must be an even greater comfort.
Beginning today and throughout the coming weeks until Christmas, we will focus scripturally on some familiar and beloved verses from Isaiah, along with verses from the New Testament that will help prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. Winter may be a difficult season, but in terms of the church year, it is the best season. I look forward to sharing it with you for the third time this year. It is a wonderful journey on which we are embarked.
Last Sunday we celebrated Veterans Day, also known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which, officially is November 11, the day World War 1 ended in 1918; or the Great War paused for about twenty years before continuing until 1945; however you wish to think of it.
We have many ways of remembering the sacrifice of those who came before us, whether they served in time of war or not. It is an especially good time to a military cemetery, especially Arlington.
The psalmist reminds us:
Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth,or the land and the earth were born, from age to age you are God.
You turn us back to the dust and say, "Go back, O child of earth."
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past and like a watch in the night.
You sweep us away like a dream; we fade away suddenly like the grass.
So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
As the Gospel songs says, God has the whole world in His hands:
This evening there will be a potluck at one of our sister churches:
and an extra-special coffee hour after church this Sunday.
May your Thanksgiving holiday be especially bright.
- Pastor Richard Hyde
Community Church of San Carlos
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