Season of Generosity

Happy New [church] Year, dear PoP community! 

As we head into the season of Advent, the time before Christmas, we enter into a time of hopeful waiting. What does hopeful waiting look like? In our reading for the first Sunday of Advent (Luke 21:25-36), Jesus tells us that there will be signs in the heavens of Jesus’ return. As Pastor Nate eluded to in his sermon on November 21st, Christ’s return is a day of joy and excitement NOT fear or worry. 

While we (as Christians throughout time) have been waiting for Christ’s return, we also recognize as people of faith that Jesus is coming and is always coming…Jesus Christ enters into the world every Christmas but is also entering into our lives every time we participate in the bringing about of God’s kin-dom. 

What that can look like is working for peace and justice in the world, helping others have access to the resources they need, being people of love and forgiveness, and being peacemakers. In short…a lot of what we do helps usher in God’s kin-dom! And during this season of Advent 2021 we are going to focus our attention on Generosity. 

How will this work? Each Sunday of the Advent Season (beginning November 28th and ending on December 19th) we will be featuring a different organization and charity to support. The schedule is as follows:

• Nov 28th Family Supportive Housing gift card drive and donations
• Dec 5th Collecting goods for the unhoused: new undies, socks and/or twin bedding
• Dec 12th: ELCA World Hunger 
• Dec 19th: Helping a Bay Area Afghan Refugee family through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

When you come to church on the 28th, there will be a large display in the lobby of the sanctuary. Each of the 4 weeks of worship will include information on how to give and support these causes. In addition to this, there will be opportunities to spend your time in service to others. It is our hope as your church leadership that this season can be filled with a new vision for our world---one in which we generously care for those in need while also waiting with hope for the Christ who is to come. 

Certainly, as the season unfolds we trust that our God who can always do more than we imagine will work great things through us. See you Sunday as we “Hang the Greens” and spend time in worship reminding our eyes what to look for in the Christmas decorations and symbols of the year.