|  What a special time of year this is! This past weekend not only did we have another great Health Fair and Bazaar at Our Savior on Saturday, but also a number of special musical offerings during worship (something different at each service!) Many thanks to so many who made all of those things happen. And in general it was just a beautiful weekend in Vero Beach with other great things happening in our community, in which many of our folks were involved (Rotary Nautical Flea Market, Festival of Trees, Boat Show, concerts and more). It's so good to see so many of our people out and about, "letting their Light shine" in our community. Speaking of being involved, here goes: This Wednesday afternoon at 2pm there will be a gathering of volunteers preparing for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This will include setting tables, decorating, peeling potatoes, carving turkey and whatever else is needed to get ready. Then on Thanksgiving Day there is a Thanksgiving Service at 11am in the sanctuary followed by our annual Home Alone Thanksgiving Dinner at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Volunteers to clean up are especially welcome. Because of Thanksgiving there will be no regular Wednesday supper this week (it will resume next Wednesday) and no "God Pause" this Wednesday. The Wednesday morning Bible study at 10am will happen though. This coming weekend is the last weekend of the church year on which we celebrate "Christ the King". (By the way, since it's Thanksgiving weekend, there will be no Sunday School this weekend. It will resume again next Sunday.) Already I'm thinking, as we are being bombarded with 'Black Friday' (and now even, sadly, 'Black Thursday') advertisements, how fitting it will be this coming weekend in worship to think about who, or what, rules in our lives? Do we all bow at the altar of consumerism, as seems our culture would have us do, and as it tries to get us into some holiday buying frenzy to try to make us feel better about ourselves or others? Or, do we, as Pastor Shelly spoke of in her sermon this past weekend, recognize God, both in His vastness and nearness, which is both humbling and reassuring, as the one who comes to us in a way the gives Life and Hope and Peace, unlike the many false gods which are always after us...perhaps especially at this time of the year? Some things to think about! Looking ahead to next Monday, November 26, the Men's Breakfast is moving to C.J. Cannons Restaurant at the Vero Beach Airport! Please note, this is a new place, but same time (2nd and 4th Mondays). We gather at 8am and are on our way by 9am. All men are welcome and invited to join us for some good food, conversation and a great way to start the week. Then on Sunday December 2, the first Sunday in Advent, our annual Advent Wreath Making workshop happens at 3pm in the Fellowship Hall. There is limited space, so reply to this email or call the church office to reserve a place. Cost is $15 per wreath for materials. Along those lines, if you'd like to give a poinsettia for Christmas in honor or memory of someone, the cost is $20. This covers the cost of the poinsettia plus contributes to the Our Savior Scholarship Fund. You can reply to this email with information for the poinsettia then send your check in or put it in the offering plate next time you're in church. Oh yes, this is that time of the year! Lots going on, and lots of opportunities for being connected and being involved. At the end of this email, there is yet one more opportunity for volunteering in a meaningful, helpful way in our community. I am forwarding this information from our own Adam Bolinger, who is on the board for the Homeless Family Center here in Vero Beach. There are a number of ways volunteers can help make a positive difference in people's lives through the ways listed below. But before that, as this Thanksgiving week unfolds, may it be a safe and happy week, and may your hearts be filled with gratitude for all the blessings we receive from God's gracious hands. Happy Thanksgiving! Pr. Jack Diehl + For More Information visit www.OurSaviorELCA.com _______________________________________________________________ Now, here is some information on how to help at the Homeless Family Center Thrift Shop "Second Chance"! Or if you'd like to volunteer in other ways than the Thrift Shop, you can get information about that at 772-567-2766. Thanks! WHAT IS A SECOND CHANCE?
A Second Chance Thrift Store and Training Center is a solution created by the Homeless Family Center to help deal with the issues of unemployment and underemployment among the residents of HFC. It is a thrift store and a training center. The Grand Opening is November 10th. It will be located at 490 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach.
WHY A THRIFT STORE AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?
A Second Chance Thrift Store and Training Center will offer the residents of HFC the Retail Apprenticeship Training Program.
WHAT IS THE RETAIL APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM?
The Retail Apprenticeship Training Program is built on a thrift store platform. It was developed in collaboration with IRSC. The Program will teach important values, social and interpersonal skills, self-worth and provide guidance to economic self-sufficiency as well as important hands on experiences.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THIS PROGRAM HELP?
The goal is that 70 homeless teens and adults will be trained at A Second Chance every year. With better training, they will become more employable. Being more employable means they can get jobs sooner, save more money faster and successfully exit the HFC program sooner resulting in more openings for the 55 qualified families currently on the waiting list to enter HFC
HOW CAN I HELP?
There are three very important ways that you can help:
You can donate gently used merchandise to A Second Chance Thrift Store
You can shop at A Second Chance Thrift Store
You can volunteer at A Second Chance Thrift Store
MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE!
You can find more information at www.homelessfamilycenter.com Facebook at A Second Chance Thrift Store and Training Center
Call and talk to Aggie Sydnor, Store Manager at 772-492-9333 | 
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