From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke “Gifted” ‘Tis the season to figure out what gift you are going to give the significant people in your life. Are you one of those amazing gift givers? You know, the ones who have been watching and planning and inquiring so that they can find the perfect meaningful gift for someone they care about. As I reflect on all the gifts I have received in my lifetime, some of the most meaningful gifts have not been the most expensive. Mostly the most amazing gifts I have received were made by others for me or came with a meaningful story as to why that gift was given. Gift-giving comes with its share of stresses and challenges. This Advent, as we journey yet again toward the manger and celebrate the coming of the Christ-child, I want to invite you to think of God’s greatest gift to the world. Why is the gift of Jesus especially meaningful to you this year? In our world, there is so much division, frustration, anger, violence, and unrest; how can we the church offer our neighbors a different kind of gift? How do we embody Jesus to our neighbors? Christmas time is a perfect time to invite a neighbor or friend or acquaintance to church. People are more apt to attend a church service during Christmastime. I would like for each of us to invite one person to church this Advent. They may say no and that’s ok. However, what if they say yes. We are often fearful about inviting others but this Christmas I invite you to reach out to someone else. Invite them to come worship with you. Be brave and act on faith. If we all join together and do this, it holds great potential. I believe the gift of Jesus to the world is the greatest gift ever given. Jesus is the gift that never tarnishes or grows old. Jesus is the reason for the season. So may we all have the courage and the faith to invite others to experience that same extravagant gift of God’s Son. Won’t you share this gift? -Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter December 2021
3 Publizr Home