The Oasis - November 23, 2022
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
November 23, 2022
Last Sunday was my third Thanksgiving Sunday here at First Parish, but my first Gratitude Luncheon. That was impressive! Nearly 100 people were served in person and numerous more lunches went to folks in their homes. Thank you to all who prepared, served and cleaned up afterwards.
Everything about Sunday was fantastic: the Harvest Table in the sanctuary, the music, and bringing our pledges to support God’s work in the world through First Parish in 2023. I recommend you check out the recording of the service and see what I mean. You can get to it through the First Parish website www.firstparishyork.net. In my sermon, I spoke about giving the first and best of what we have as a way to make God our first priority. When we put first things first, everything else tends to fall into place. If you have not filled out an estimate of giving card for 2023, I encourage you to do so. They are located in the sanctuary and in the office.
On a sad note, I’ve been troubled by the fact that a recent mass murder at a gay bar in Colorado took place just before the World Cup soccer tournament began in a nation where it is illegal to be gay. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to live in a country with freedoms not afforded to people in other places. And I’m grateful to be part of an Open and Affirming church which made an intentional decision to be a safe place for L,G,B,T,Q people.
Lastly, we still have books available for the Advent Study beginning this Sunday. We will use the book Holy Disruption: Discovering Advent in the Gospel of Mark by Traci S. Daub.
We will offer two discussion times. One will take place in person in Fellowship Hall 8:45am 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18. Just show up with your book and if you don’t have one by then, I will try to have some available. Or join the Zoom on Wednesday evenings 7-8pm: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21.
The book is $12. They are available in the office. We will also place copies of the book in the drop box outside the office today. Come by any time and take one. If you can, read the first chapter before our first meeting. Here is the Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81590246479?pwd=Vll6dWVIdXFybGJDTEI4Tks0eHZaZz09
Meeting ID: 815 9024 6479
Passcode: 229013
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