Come Home to Joy

Dear Friends,

I can’t help it, but there are songs that get stuck in your head and they simply won’t go away. Let’s try it…

“Don’t worry…be happy…” sung by Bobby Mc Ferrin

I started listing songs that are often on my mind and then I thought, "Uff dah! Am I giving up my thoughts, age, drama of my youth, good decisions, bad decisions, dance songs, study songs, play songs, funny songs, symphonies, and reflective songs!?!" I typically have a song playing in my head at all times. I once had a co-worker tell me they could tell what was on my mind by the song that I would be whistling when I entered into the building.

Maybe music isn’t your thing; but it surrounds us all the time whether in nature, sporting games, movies, video games, and places we shop. We can simply call out to our cell phone to play a song without so much as raising a finger. Oh, “back in the day,” we all had to listen to the same song on the radio because we were not able to pre-select, delete, or sound out the world with only our very own play list going on. It was a time, long ago, when we used to share music.

I believe that, in sharing music, we are sharing our stories. Sometimes, music gives us the oomph to shout or even dance! Sometimes, music gives us space to share our tears and our fears.

In this week's scripture for our Advent journey, we are going to dig deeper into the idea of being joyful. As we read in the scriptures on joy, we will consider that maybe it isn’t about being joyful as in a moment, but being thankful for a forever love and grace from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Music filled with joyfulness is singing praise not for what we are doing but for the One who has done it. It is God's hardship and the victory over death as a gift of grace. We come to think of joy as our response of gratitude.

Where do you find yourself this 2nd week of Advent? Already counting the remaining shopping days or, for that matter, delivery dates? Is there room in our Advent Season to prepare our hearts with joy? I invite you to pause for a moment and hear this message from Zephaniah 3:17-20.

The Lord, your God, is in your midst,

a warrior who gives victory;

he will rejoice over you with gladness,

he will renew you in his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing

as on a day of festival.

I will remove disaster from you,

so that you will not bear reproach for it.

I will deal with all your oppressors

at that time.

And I will save the lame

and gather the outcast,

and I will change their shame into praise

and renown in all the earth.

At that time I will bring you home,

at the time when I gather you;

for I will make you renowned and praised

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes

before your eyes, says the Lord.

This week, we share our joy and our treasures of food, paper products, mittens, and pajamas with North Liberty Community Pantry and Closet. These are the most wanted items in December for the pantry:

Soaps and Body Wash

Shampoo and Conditioner

Soups and Stews

Fresh Produce

Canned Fruit

100% Fruit Juices

Tomato Products

Cooking Oils and Spices

Baking Ingredients

Snacks

Feminine Hygiene Products

NEW Socks and Underwear

WYN will be wrapping up toilet paper next Wednesday evening ; we need donations! And don't forget to bring mittens, hats, and pajamas for the tree.

We are thankful for our WYN Teams from Club 56, Confirmation, and High School Youth (and some adult helpers) for assembling furniture for Houses Into Homes and finishing up the outdoor lighting.

Blessings to you always,

Pastor Katie

Come Home

It’s hard to believe that Advent is just around the corner. It will begin Sunday, November 28th, with an initial dive into this year’s theme: “Come Home.”

Together, we’ll reflect on the words of the Hebrew prophets, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul to explore what it might mean to come home to love, to joy, to peace, and to hope.

We will worship together and we will serve the broader needs of the community each Wednesday night as we assemble furniture for Houses into Homes and engage in projects for the North Liberty Food Pantry and Clothing Bank, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and Safe Families. It promises to be a season rich with possibilities!

And as in past years, we have several “Giving Trees” displayed with additional opportunities to share “Good Gifts” that honor not only the recipient, but others in need of our compassion throughout the world. I hope that you’ll be a part!

I give thanks to all who have helped us assemble and light up our trees indoors and out and for those who have generously shared their “Faith Promise” to date! In fact, fifty-one families have now pledged $223,382 toward our 2022 Ministry Fund. Because our anticipated budget is estimated at this time to be around $350,000, we still have a way to go. We’re hoping that the remaining 100 families will respond this week, such that our Visioning Council can do their work as faithfully as possible. The more they know, the less they have to assume, and the more ministry can be planned.

Let’s look forward to the possibilities that Advent invites us into! See you in worship!

Pastor Tim

Gratitude

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. - Philippians 1:3-5

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up by him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” - Colossians 2:6-7

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for Thanksgiving. No, I haven’t bought a turkey or cleaned the house yet. No, I haven’t tracked down the fresh cranberries, nor completed all of the things that tend to pile up at this time of year - preparing for Advent (which always sneaks up SO quickly), articles for the December newsletter, etc. etc. But I’m ready nonetheless; because even with so much yet to do, I realize just how much I need to pause and give gratitude for what IS already and not just what will be or might be.

I know that when I really pause to notice, recall, and name those specific people, blessings, gifts, and experiences that have been a blessing to me, it has profound and long-term benefits for my health, my outlook, and my perspective. I am sensing the need for that again today! Therefore, I’m ready for giving thanks again, even if I haven’t accomplished all that might feel that I have to do.

How about you? I’ve provided a couple of resources that might help. First are the verses from St. Paul above. As much as I sometimes groan about his chronic verbosity, often each phrase can be a goldmine of insight, when I truly pause to let it sink in. See if one of them speaks to you today.

Secondly, I’ve provided a potential meal prayer for your use as you gather next Thursday (see below).

Please know just how grateful I am to have each of you as partners in ministry. As I look around and note all of the many ways in which so many of you have served, shared, endured, and encouraged, I can’t help but be amazed! Thank you for being a vital part of our community in Christ!

I hope that you’ll use this season to stop and be grateful for the incredible generosity that has already been shared as part of our annual Faith Promise request. In fact, 40 families have already collectively pledged nearly $190,000 toward Christ’s ministry here! If you haven’t already done so, please use their example to put your best foot forward as well - on “Giving Tuesday” if not beforehand, and let’s be humbled once again by what Christ is able to do through us! Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Pastor Tim

P.S. - All those who might be able to help us with holiday trees, whether indoors or out, are encouraged to drop me a note! We hope to be able to enjoy such annual rituals Monday-Wednesday of next week. We could likely use your assistance! Can you lend a hand?

PRAYER FOR THE THANKSGIVING TABLE

“Lord God, our hearts are crowded with gratitude as we celebrate this feast. We come to this table with great joy and eagerness, for we are truly needing to share our thanksgiving with you, O God, for all that you have provided. We pray for those whose hunger is all too real today. And we pause now, and in silent prayer, name the elements of your generosity… We thank you for gifts of family, of love and affection, and of those who are present at this feast today (name individuals), as well as for all those who have labored in love in order to provide this meal today. May you, O God, now bless this feast and all of us who shall share it, through Christ our Lord. Amen”