November 26

Beloved families of Good Shepherd,

Peace be with you! This coming Sunday marks the start of Advent and the beginning of a new church year. On the first Sunday in Advent we light one candle to remember the prophets who point the way to Christ.  Prophets are people who come so close to God, and God comes so close to them, that they know what is most important. In our Old Testament reading for this Sunday, the prophet Isaiah reveals the deepest thoughts of God.  God passionately wants all of us to live in His ways of peace, love, and justice. Isaiah says, “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:5)

In the “Story of Isaiah” that our children will hear during Godly Play Sunday School this Sunday, Isaiah predicts the coming of a great Light who will bring God’s peace, joy, and salvation for all people.  Isaiah says this Light will be born as a child in Bethlehem to show us the way, a child called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  

The Light of God’s presence in the birth of Jesus is so magnificent and transformative that the Church gives us the season of Advent to get ready to receive this great Mystery.  Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season and walk right past the great Mystery of Christmas.  I invite our families to listen to an episode of the Godly Play podcast Mess Makes Meaning, titled “Presence over Presents with Cynthia Insko”, to support your family this Advent season. The Rev. Cynthia Insko serves as our Godly Play Consultant here at Good Shepherd.  Click HERE to listen to Cynthia’s suggestions for being present with your children during the holiday season. Families are also invited to explore the Godly Play Advent resources at the bottom of this newsletter that Cynthia has provided for us.

I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones and safe travels!  

Hope to see you this Sunday!

Many Blessings,

Patty