A note from Pastor Travis 11/13/25

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Sunday is the third week in our reflection of the many blessings that we have in our lives and our deep gratitude to God for these blessings. 

On November 2, All Saint’s Sunday, we gave thanks to God for the saints in our lives. Last Sunday, November 9, we shared our gratitude for our family and friends. This Sunday, we will reflect on I Thessalonians 5:16-18, as we consider all the ways that God blesses us in our lives.

In these verses, Paul outlines 3 hallmarks of Christian life: rejoicing, praying, and thanksgiving. Christian life is rooted in the deep gratitude for the incarnational love of God, the redeeming presence of the resurrected Christ, and the abiding guidance of the

Holy Spirit. It is this presence of God that allows us to rejoice for the gift of life and calls us to live life of both prayer and action for a world that knows both joy and grief, reconciliation and loss.

We are not naïve. We know that there are both blessings and pain in the world. However, we know something else too. God is always with us, offering grace and providing comfort. Therefore, we are invited to express our gratitude with rejoicing and

prayer.

Join us this Sunday as we reflect on these ideas.

We also invite you to reflect on the blessings in your life as you consider your pledge for 2026. Your generosity supports our ministries and strengthens our mission together. You may bring your pledge on Pledge Sunday, November 23, or submit it any Sunday before that date.

Thank you for your ongoing generosity and all the ways you give to our church. May our gratitude unite us as we continue to serve, grow, and share God’s love with one another and our world.

Peace and Grace,

Pastor Travis