Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
1925 Pelham Road
Greenville SC 29615
Church Phone: 864-234-5647
All Are Welcome, Come Grow With Us!
From the Pastor's Desk...
The Red Thread
Connecting Scripture to Everyday Life
November 26, 2008
Volume 9 Number 47
The prophet Ezekiel (34:11-16, 20-24) reminds us that, as God’s people, we are called to give thanks through care for (be a shepherd to) those on the margins of society – who have less than others and often less than they need to survive.
Psalm 95:1-7 reminds us that giving thanks to God who is Creator of all things means whose nature it is to stoop to us as our shepherd. He is the model for giving to others in thankfulness for all that God has given to us.
In Ephesians 1:15-23, St. Paul gives his thanks to the people of that community who make God known through their reputation of faith in Christ and love for each other. Paul stirs up the “immeasurable greatness of his power” that is at work in believers to do their own acts of thanksgiving.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:31-36 the primacy of his love command. Self-giving care for others who are in need is service that gives thanks to God. Responding to the needs of others in responding to Christ.
We all may agree that we need to give our thanks. But how we do we take this from a good idea to a good daily practice? Rev. Larry Greenfield has a special “To Do List.” In addition to his normal essential tasks for the day, he also adds an act of charity, and an act of advocacy to cross off each day. “I tend to think (Jesus’) imperatives only apply when I happen to come across someone who is hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked (well, let's say "poorly clothed"), sick, or in prison. I think we can read that famous passage in the 25th chapter of Matthew as being directed to disciples who know first-hand the abundant and undeserved love of God in their own lives and feel compelled as a result of that divine love to put acts of charity and justice on their daily “to-do” list.
Click here to read selected past issues of the Red Thread.
WORSHIP TIMES
Sunday School - 9:00 AM
Community Fellowship - 9:45 AM
Worship Service - 10:00 AM
WEEKDAY
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
- Friday 9 AM - 1 PM
FALL FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
9:00 - 9:45 AM
We have some exciting new classes for youth and adults.
- Elementary School
- Middle School
- High School
- Adult - Parenting with Dignity
- Adult - Religion and Politics
KINGS’ KIDS NEW YEAR’S PARTY
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:00 pm
Happy New Year! Come
ring in the new church year with Kings’ Kids. Join us on
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:00 pm for fun and fellowship. Stay afterwards
for the dinner following the Advent worship service. Hope to see you
there!
A MORNING OF CENTERING PRAYER
Saturday, Dec. 6th, 9AM-12:00 NOON
Join Pastor Marilyn at First Baptist Church (Faris & Cleveland
Sts.) Come away and spend a morning “waiting for the light”
through music, readings, and prayer as we prepare for the waiting time
of Advent. Sign up at church or call the church office to register.
2008 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 21
“TOO
BUSY FOR CHRISTMAS”, is the name of our 2008 Christmas Program to be
presented Sunday Dec 21st during worship. We need people of all ages
for speaking and non-speaking parts. Practices will be the next three Sundays: 11/30; 12/7; 12/14 , all after worship.
We meet each Wednesday at 12:00 noon for Bible Study. Bring your own lunch and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) and join us each week!
OUTREACH
OPPORTUNITIES
- We are in need of an Outreach Minister. If you are interested, please contact the church office
- Share your ideas for our Christmas Outreach project. Contact the church office with ideas at ctkgreenville@bellsouth.net.
DONT FORGET! GET
YOUR PRAYER PARTNER FOR THE WEEK!
A basket will be passed around during service each week. Select a new prayer partner from the basket. Postcards are also available to mail to your partner and to others for whom you are praying.