The Art of Gathering
The new series The Art of Gathering feels especially meaningful this time of year. Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” We pray before we eat, so yes—Jesus is with us when we gather together.
Do you remember what your Thanksgivings were like when you were a child? Did you go to Grandma’s house and visit with all your family? Did you get to play outside with your cousins? Think back and let those good memories wash over you.

We didn’t have family here. My parents moved from Ohio when I was barely two, so all my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins stayed there. Our Thanksgiving table was just us. For a few years, though, we had a special guest join us for dinner—Mr. Graham, an older member of St. Paul’s. He was a widower who lived for a while across the street from Dad’s office. He was such a nice gentleman, and we kids did our best to behave at dinner!
Mom always went all out with the meal—turkey and all the trimmings, including oyster dressing (Dad loved that, but the rest of us? Not so much!). Mr. Graham seemed to enjoy the happy chaos of our house, with three kids getting underfoot. We loved hearing his stories from “the olden days,” and looking back, I think we were just as blessed by his presence as he was by ours.

Gathering with friends or family can be one of life’s greatest joys. Sharing food, memories, and stories helps bridge the distance, no matter how far apart we may be. Sometimes, we make our own family when our relatives are too far away. Wherever and with whomever you gather this month, show God’s love to them—and invite Jesus to your table.
 

Christ at the Center:  Colossians 3:1-17 

The verse for this week, Colossians 3:1-17, talks about how we are made new in Christ.  We have died to our old lifestyles.  What does this really mean?

Paul talks about our earthly nature.  "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (a).  Have you thought about your earthly nature?  The ones Paul listed may not apply to you, but do you have other idols in your life?  Where do you spend your time?

 For me, it's on my phone, mindlessly scrolling.  I can waste hours doing this.  And for what purpose?  What to I get from this?  Time I can't get back.  Time that  I could have been more productive.  Time that I could have spent reading my devotionals, or praying.  I do have some great apps on my phone.  I have a bible app that I try to read every day.  I have book apps, library apps, game apps (Candy Crush is my game), banking, food, and now that I'm listing, maybe too many apps.  They can be a huge distraction in my life, as I am sure they are in yours as well.  

We are also called as God's chosen people to be kind, compassionate, and gentle.  We are also to have humility and patience.  Do you show the Love of God when someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you have patience when waiting in line at the store or stuck behind a tractor on the road?  What do you post on your social media? Is it kind or is it not? 
 As I scroll, I'm seeing so much that is definitely not showing the love of God.  In fact, quite the opposite and the more I block these sites, the more of them show up.   Maybe as God's people we are called to bring that kindness and compassion everywhere we go, even on social media.   Sometimes it's hard.  We can love those who make it hard.  We can forgive those who make it hard.  We can be kind to those who make it hard.    Because as Christians, we can do those hard things.  We are called to love one another just as Christ loves us.  Be that person.