Because of the Thanksgiving holiday,
our office hours next week are modified.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Office will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Misson Moment 11.17.24
Mary
CBF Field Personnel, Southeast Asia
What is saving my life right now? Well, in a word, God. I truly don’t mean to be flippant or dismissive, but it really is the first response that comes to mind every time I try to reflect on this question. Then my mind wanders in more directions than I can track. How do I encapsulate what it means to have an ongoing awareness of the presence of God in my life moment-to-moment or the myriad ways God keeps me attuned to that presence? Therein lies my challenge. Perhaps it’s because I have a short attention span; but God’s revelatory processes, like God’s mercies, are new every morning. More accurately, God creates new combinations each day.
In recent months, I have found myself less distracted by the frustrations of the limits of the people we read about in Scripture and more engaged with the God who honors the struggles of those determined to be in relationship with God. God’s interactions with each of us are unique because our stories are unique; I marvel at God’s love, tenacity and understanding. While I see God in a different light in Scripture, the seeming paradoxes of life and faith rest more comfortably within me. What we sometimes identify as contradictory experiences or emotions are complementary, with God shaping them into something beautifully compelling. Human relationships, spiritual disciplines, nature, art, music, movement, tragedy, laughter, science, literature, conflict—the list is inexhaustible. God uses combinations of all of these in wondrous variety to transform me, to transform us. God is always available and at work to draw us closer. As we offer ourselves to God’s nurture, we are made new.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Merciful God, thank you for honoring the struggles of your children throughout the ages, and for honoring the struggles in which we find ourselves today. Be with us when we grow weary of our own humanity. Remind us that your mercies are new every morning. Help us to trust that the combinations you create in our lives each day arrive to transform, strengthen and nurture us to become more like you. Amen.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
The Longest Night Worship Service
Please join us for a shared service with the First Presbyterian and Methodist churches for a night of remembrance and hope on Wednesday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church.
1st Explorers Crochet Program to Begin in January
First Explorers would like to teach our students how to crochet. Counselor Bonnie crochets and we are looking for additional crochet artists this winter to help her teach some of our older students the art form. We are also in need of crochet hooks if you have any at home the students could use, please consider donating.
Thanksgiving Worship
Our church has been asked to provide savory hors d'oeuvres for the
evening of worship at First Presbyterian Church. Thank you so much!
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries requests that we temporarily suspend providing supplies and instead provide monetary donations. Given the current situation with Hurricane Helene’s suppliers, the needs of clients are changing daily. A monetary donation will allow them to purchase specifically what is needed at any point in time. To donate, please drop off a check at 191 Skyland Drive or mail it to PO Box 188, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!
Wednesday Night Bible Study
TONIGHT, Wednesday, November 20
Join us for our Wednesday evening Bible study
TONIGHT, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Gathering Place Room. There will be no meal. Join us!
Deck the Halls!
Join us as we transform the sanctuary and church grounds with beautiful Christmas decorations on Tuesday, November 26 at 9:00 a.m.
Passport Youth & Passportkids
A $100 deposit is due November 30 for each child or youth attending Passport.
Please take your check or cash by the church office as soon as possible.
Please let Kaitlyn Cabaniss know if you are planning to attend Passport this year.
Spaces are limited, so please hurry and register with her.