Mosaic in December

Happy Thanksgiving Mosaic! We are moving through the season of gratitude and into the season of giving. I can find a lot of spiritual gravitas in the calendar placement of these two holidays, can you? I bet so, when we contemplate the product of gratitude ... Of course, we all know that giving brings us into alignment with God. Focusing our attention and hearts outward is the thrust of the life giving energy of the Spirit. I hope you are finding it.

I appreciate Lynda for taking lead in Sunday's gathering. Fred gets credit for urging me to participate in the guy's fishing retreat (Fred, Miles, Richard Y'Barra, me, and three other men from San Marcos). This guy's group has been meeting for several years and has generously included me as a "tag along." I don't often get to attend the meetings, but sure appreciated the chance to come out and play. We'll have to tell you about the blue whale we caught ...

As you know, Mosaic steps up its community presence in the month of December, as well as, helps to raise funds for those less fortunate. It's the logic of a Christological church crossing the month of the year that commemorates the greatest gift to Creation. God gives of Himself. We follow His lead. Each Sunday in December we will be following the Advent Calendar and lighting the Advent Wreath to "prepare Him room" in our hearts. As is our custom, we will culminate the Season with a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. I hope you can make each gathering.

Some notables for December include the following: We will be Ringing the Bells for Salvation Army on four separate 12-hour days. Be sure to bring your can goods each Sunday morning, since, we will be collecting food for the Christian Cupboard throughout the month. Also, the children will be getting involved by collecting food in their neighborhoods by the wagon load! We will also take our customary Holiday Stroll through the nursing homes Caroling and loving along the way with a Wassail and Dessert fellowship afterwards. Our Friday night movie, The Nativity Story, will be hosted by our children to raise money for Heifer International, our Christmas offering (they will be serving Taco Soup--mmm, mmm, good!). I hope you'll make plans to join us for all these wonderful opportunities! Please return e-mail me to sign up for Salvation Army. I need a flurry of bell ringers starting the first weekend in December!

Thanks for your gift of presence!

Happy HOLY days!

Pastor Jim