November is a time of taking stock.  On All Saint’s Day, we remember those who have gone before us and give thanks for their part in making it possible for us to be a part of the Aldersgate Church today.

On November 8, we’ll reflect on our service to Christ.  There will be a mission fair and potluck meal following the 11 AM worship service.  We will be kicking off the “90 in 90” challenge.  Everyone in the congregation will be encouraged to give 90 minutes in joyful service in our community over the next 90 days (that’s 1 ½ hours over three months).  We all should be able to do that.  Be sure to tell me about your experience.

Later in the month, we’ll take time to count our blessings and give thanks to God for the multitude of blessings we have received.  This year several churches are gathering for a Thanksgiving service that will be held on Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 PM at Bethany Presbyterian Church, on Dewey Avenue near Maiden Lane.   I hope you’ll join us for this special time of worship and giving thanks.

November 29 marks the beginning of the Christian year and Advent.  Advent means “coming.”  As Christians we prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ to a stable in Bethlehem, the coming of Christ in our lives today, and the coming of Christ in final victory at the end of time.

In our society, much of the preparation is not so much about the coming of Christ as it is for a day of self-indulgence.  I’ve already (in mid-October) been in stores where the Christmas decorations have been brought out.  People have already started buying gifts or will do so soon.  So I’d like to offer some thoughts on gift giving.

There is nothing wrong with giving gifts to our family and friends at Christmas as long as we do so in the spirit of Christ and don’t go overboard.  Michael Slaughter writes, “I often say that Christmas is not our birthday; it is Jesus’ birthday.  We should stop acting as if it’s our birthday.   We should do what honors Jesus on Jesus’ birthday.  Yet most Christians tend to miss the real meaning of Christmas and continue its celebration through self-focused practices that fulfill the materialistic desires of friends and family.”  We need to focus on the real meaning for Christmas.

Never go into debt or further into debt to pay for Christmas gifts.  Consider giving things of lasting value--maybe something you’ve made, or a promise of future service.  My dad has pretty much everything he needs, so for the last several years our Christmas gift to him has been a donation in his honor to a charity that he values.

Consider purchasing gifts from a “Fair Trade” organization.  Trade As One says, “One billion people live on less than one dollar a day.  If every churchgoer in America purchased just one Fair Trade gift this Christmas, one million families would be lifted out of poverty for one whole year.  Our gift giving can literally be life giving for someone living in extreme poverty.  These gifts can be purchased at several web sites.  A couple of these are www.tradeasone.com; and www.betterwayimports.com.  They import goods from third world countries.  There is also www.crafts.rbmission.org which is the Red Bird Mission site that markets products made by Appalachian crafters.

Get involved with the White Gifts program and help purchase gifts and food for those in need.  This is a long running important ministry at Aldersgate.

Pray about giving a special financial gift to missions.  Five years ago, Michael Slaughter (who reminded us that it’s Jesus’ birthday not ours) challenged the Ginghamsberg United Methodist Church congregation, to make a miracle offering for missions on Christmas.  He suggested that each family bring as an offering an amount to equal to what they spent on their family and friends.  Many did that and have continued to do so each year.  They have raised several million dollars and built an amazing ministry in Darfur in the Sudan.  They have built over 160 schools that, in addition to teaching both boys and girls, provide children with one meal a day all year.  For half the year that’s likely to be the only meal they receive.  This mission has built wells in the communities so children don’t have to travel miles in unsafe areas to draw water for their families.  They have helped thousands of farmers build new lives for themselves and their families by a sustainable agriculture program.   It’s truly amazing what one congregation can do when they devote themselves to serving Christ.

We are blessed to be a blessing.  Let’s bless others with our time and our gifts this year.

Many blessings,