Dear Saints All!

I hope that your week is going well and that you have welcomed the rain we've had (are having) both as a refreshment for the earth and our "near drought conditions" as well as a reminder of the grace our baptisms bring us all!  As I write this our English as a Second Language Classes are beginning and the faithful folks who staff the classrooms and the child care areas are faithfully carrying out their ministries.  It is a wonder to experience each Tuesday and Thursdays (during the NC State regular school year).  This is a ministry of our congregation that has been going on for more than forty years.  It is another one of the ways we serve our community as faithful stewards of our gifts! 

Speaking of being faithful stewards, I hope that all of you have turned in your stewardship commitments for 2010 along with your Time and Talent Sheets for next year.  This is an important part of our annual process to plan and prepare for how we will serve Christ in the new year.  It's one of the ways we respond to the grace of our baptisms I mentioned above.  It is necessary for the life of our parish and its outreach.  Please, if you have not already done so, bring in or mail in your commitment cards and Time and Talent sheets ASAP!  We now have 107 commitments totalling $400,000.  Of those 107 commitments, 65 indicate increases in their giving.  We are grateful for your continued faithfulness and look forward to your  helping our leaders put together a mission plan for our congregation that will reflect prudent planning for the coming year.  Thank you for caring!

 As we move toward Thanksgiving, I want to remind all of you of our Community Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 25th, at 7:30 p.m. at Fairmont United Methodist Church (Clark Avenue).  Our own Laura Ridgeway representing Urban Ministries will be our preacher that evening.  Our choir will join those of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Community United Church of Christ and Fairmont UMC in providing music leadership for that service.  Bring a canned good or two as an "extra offering."  

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday! It is the last Sunday of the Church Year and reminds us all that Christ is the Lord of All Life.  Come and worship that day and reflect on where this year has brought yourself and all of us together as God's people.  Lessons for the day are:  Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37.  Read these as part of your preparation for worship! New members will be received at both services.   Confirmation Classes will take place at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. 

 The following Sunday, November 29th, is the first Sunday of the new year--year C in the liturgical cycle.  This year's gospel readings will come primarily from the Gospel of Luke which has its own distinct nuances.  So, we are experiencing New Year's Day on November 29th and are reminded that the four-Sunday season of Advent that begins the new year are preparation time for all of us.  Pick up your family's devotional booklet either this Sunday or next in the Pavilion.  Our preparation for Christmas is much more than Christmas presents and parties and such.  It is a time to think about what it means to welcome the Lord of the universe into our hearts and lives!  And worship is where that all begins!  We will also have three Advent Mid-Week Services on Dec. 2, 9, 16 at 7 p.m.  Supper will be served in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m.  Theme for this Advent:  "For What Am I Waiting?"  Again this year, members of the congregation will be asked to give homilies on this idea. 

 Thanks to Jim Rhodes who has been working on building a Christ Candle stand for an Episcopal congregation which one of our area pastors (ELCA) has been serving.  Jim knows wood!  

I have been involved in looking ahead to the coming year and the events we will be hosting here at Holy Trinity.  The Sunday after Christmas is our one service at 11 a.m. and a special Service of Lessons and Carols.  This will be on December 27.    On Sunday, January 3rd, we will recognize and give thanks to Dan Gaugert as he draws near to the conclusion of his ministry of music here at Holy Trinity.  Dan has meant so much to all of us that we will all want to be present to show him our gratitude that day.  On Sunday, January 17, at 3 p.m. we will hold the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service for Lutherans and others in our Triangle Conference of the NC Synod.  Pastor Larry and I attended last year's service held at Joy of Discovery.  This year, Pastor Charlene Limenih, pastor of Joy of Discovery, will be our preacher for that service at Holy Trinity!  Don't miss it!

 I hope that your week goes well and that on this Christ the King Sunday, you will remember that Christ is your Lord and King.  It's easy to say, but more difficult to live.  However, God's grace awaits all who try!  Thanks for your many ministries!  Don't forget your commitment cards!

 In Christ,

Pastor Y

P.S.  Don't forget your commitment cards and Time and Talent Sheets if you have not yet turned them in!