From the Pastor's Desk

"Anyone unwilling to work should not eat." (2 Thess. 3:10) "Give to everyone who begs from you." (Luke 6:30) We heard one of these verses a week ago, the other yesterday. Being a Christian isn't simple. It calls for wisdom, compassion, and discernment. And as St. Paul went on to say, "Do not be weary in doing what is right."

I began this morning "living" in a car at the Sexton Plaza here in Vero with others who are taking shifts "living" in a car for a 24 hour period which began yesterday. This is a part of "Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week", reminding the community that there are people who in fact are living out of their cars as a result of these difficult economic times. These are families and individuals who really would rather work and be able to support themselves. What the Homeless Family Center, and other agencies like that, are about, is helping families get over the hump and get to that place where they can get back to work. One statistic that stood out for me this morning is that there are over 41,000 homeless children in the state of Florida! These really are tough times for so many. And the Homeless Family Center is one of the places Our Savior helps support, both with donations and by brininging one meal a month to the center. Along with that, if anyone knows of any work that is available, please contact the center at 567-2766. They are always looking for work for their residents.

As we look ahead to this week and beyond around Our Savior, our Tuesday morning fitness class will be held at 10:30. Gloria Basile will be the teacher. Gloria comes with much experience. We're grateful for her helping out in this way!

Our Wednesday supper at 6pm will feature cheeseburgers and baked beans among other things. These suppers have been so very well received. What a great time to get together for some good food and conversation!

This coming Saturday is our annual Holiday Bazaar and Health Fair from 8:30am-1pm! There will be many beautiful crafts and a bake sale (I know there are some wonderful bakers out there…bring your goodies by on Friday between 9am and 3pm or Saturday morning! I'm already looking forward to Carol Javin's cookies among others!) There is no "garage sale" or "Grandma's attic" component this year. You can bring any of those items to the new Harvest Outreach Center Thrift Store on US1 and 28th Street, or any of many good thrift stores in our area. Or wait until February 26, when our WELCA ladies will host a rummage and book sale. 

But along with our Bazaar, we have a wonderful Health Fair, which includes: "Healthy Eating" by Gwen Turner, registered dietician; blood pressure checks; flu and pneumonia shots; balance screening by a physical therapist who specializes in vertigo; the Blood Mobile will be here for you to donate blood; Fire Safety presentation by firefighter Tob y Turner; and more. This Saturday Our Savior will be the place to be!

If you'd like a special way to get into the Christmas Spirit, Haiti Partners is in need of volunteers to help write Christmas Cards to be sent out during December. If you can offer a couple of hours doing this, it would be much appreciated. Contact Debbie Coleman at the Haiti Partners office for more information (772-539-8521). The Haiti Partners office is on the first floor of the Bank of America building on the corner of 6th Ave. and 21st Street, just down from the church.

Finally, looking ahead to this coming weekend, November 20-21, this is the last weekend of the church year, Christ the King Sunday! This is also the day when we will be receiving "My Estimate of Giving Plan" cards for 2011. Many of you received these cards in the mail in the last week or so, and a number of you have already returned them! Thank you! But if you haven't, these cards will be available this weekend as you come to church and a basket will be in the church to receive these. This is an important and very helpful way for us as individuals to plan our giving for the coming year, and also for us as a congregation to plan our budget for the coming year. Your being a part of this process is most appreciated.

These are only some of the highlights of what is happening at and through Our Savior.  And whatever you do or wherever you go as this week unfolds, may you not grow weary in doing what is right!

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl