Dear Friends,
“Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things.”
Those words were written by the son of a Baptist minister who became a successful early 20th century store owner and lived out those words by making sure his workers could attend church, not only on Christmas, but every Sunday. His name was James Cash (J.C.) Penney.
As J.C. Penney implied, Christmas—including the season of preparation known as Advent—is a time for festivity, and I sincerely hope you experience your share of it. But I also hope it will be, in the store owner’s words, “a time for contemplation of eternal things.” To that end, I invite you to make St. Andrew your place to go for the best and most important part of the approaching holy season.
Thirty-one worship opportunities, including a new service on Christmas Eve, will be offered in the month of December. In the midst of them, we’ll have an Advent Party, a Children’s Pageant, and even a “Blue Christmas” service for those who struggle to find joy in the holidays. All of these events will point us to the One who came into this world to make His home in our hearts and gather us into a family that celebrates His presence and thanks Him for His presents.
So, if you happen to go shopping or catch an ad from J.C. Penney, take the opportunity to remember the original owner’s words by enjoying the festivity of the season we’re about to enter, but also taking time to contemplate eternal things. If you do, there’s a good chance that you’ll have not just a merry Christmas, but a blessed one too!
With love and thanksgiving for the family we are at St. Andrew, for all who are working hard to encourage our celebration, and all who will join us in worship, I wish you the blessings of Jesus at Thanksgiving, Advent, and the coming Christmas season!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hricko