Happy Thanksgiving Week...and some righteous indignation at the end of this email!

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 12:18 PM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: Happy Thanksgiving Week...and some righteous indignation at the end of this email!

 

First, a big THANK YOU to all who were a part of our annual Bazaar/Health Fair this past weekend!  Our parish nurse/seminarian Bonnie Lanyi wanted to make sure to send out this “Thank You” to everyone, but I first want to extend my thanks to HER!   She did an amazing job coordinating so much of the weekend, from table layouts, set up and clean up, to lining up people for blood pressure and blood sugar checks, flu shots, “ask the pharmacist”, “ask the dietician”, etc.  So, many thanks to Bonnie for all of that, and also to all of those who made it a great event: including all the Health Fair people mentioned above along with the “Crafty Ladies”, those who contributed to the bake sale, the kitchen crew, our “hospitality” crew and more.  Such a pleasant morning!   Lots to be thankful for!

 

Youth Group on Thanksgiving Eve will include a trip to see “The Muppet Movie”.  Contact our Youth leader (794-0746) Jimmy Smith for more info.

 

On Wednesday around 2pm preparations for our Thanksgiving Home Alone dinner will continue (some of the prep has already begun!)   Potatoes will be pealed, and the tables will be set up and decorated.   This is all a great part of our Thanksgiving celebration. 

 

Thanksgiving Day will begin with a Thanksgiving Service in the church at 11am, followed by our “Home Alone” Thanksgiving Dinner at noon.  Many years ago, Our Savior was one of the first places in our community to offer a Thanksgiving Dinner, on Thanksgiving Day for anyone who would otherwise be “Home Alone”.   With families scattered and schedules as they are today, it’s likely that not everyone can get together on Thanksgiving (or Christmas).  That is why we have these “Home Alone” meals.  They are our gift to the community.  There is no charge for the dinners nor is there even an offering taken.  It’s pure grace.  J

 

Now, here’s my righteous indignation.  I’m afraid Thanksgiving is soon going to be thought of as only a prelude to “Black Friday”.  That seems to be where our culture is moving more and more.  “Black Friday” (so named, because it helps our retail businesses get “in the black”, from what I understand) used to start Friday morning, after a day of giving thanks, feasting, family and football, among other things.  But now, look at all the businesses opening at midnight on Thanksgiving night!  And some stores are even starting their “sales” at 10pm on Thanksgiving night!   How does this help us, or especially the employees of these businesses, focus on being thankful to God and enjoying being together on this national day of Thanksgiving when meals and gatherings have to be cut short only in order to bow at the altar of consumerism!?   This is just shameful, and I hope that somehow the word gets to the people making decisions about those ridiculous hours to go back to staying closed til early Friday morning.  Maybe between writing letters, talking with friends and family, or just not shopping on Friday (some of us avoid that already!) that terrible tide can be turned.  Whew.  Thanks.  I had to say that!

 

So, whether you are coming to Our Savior for Thanksgiving or celebrating Thanksgiving somewhere else, may it be a time for you to reflect on the blessings you have and truly be thankful to God.  That after all is why our country established a day of Thanksgiving…to pause and recognize that we are blessed beyond measure, even with all of our challenges and struggles, and give thanks to God, the source of all we are and have.   

 

Have a safe, blessed and happy Thanksgiving!    Pastor Jack Diehl +  www.oursaviorelca.com