First of all, some good news—Winston Dietrick-Kirkpatrick’s mom is doing better. Her car was sideswiped by another vehicle. She’s badly bruised on her left side, but nothing is broken. We give thanks that things are moving in the right direction.

The days are getting shorter—and somehow, the weeks are too. We’re moving up on Thanksgiving, just a week from this coming Sunday. Remember our big Thanksgiving dinner after worship. We started sign-ups last Sunday and will do so again this Sunday if needed. Mostly, remember to come to worship and bring family and friends with you. It’s a joyful day!

Not this Sunday—but the next—will be my last time preaching for a while. My knee replacement surgery is scheduled for December 3. I plan to be in church on the first Sunday of Advent, but may be out for much of December while I recover. Mary will preach during that time, and I’ll return to the pulpit for Christmas Eve.

Pastor’s Class

We continue to discuss where we are theologically after this journey we’ve been on. Some old beliefs have gone by the wayside—like the idea of an angry God. Join us at 9:45 a.m., followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-bring Sunday.” Help bring! We need food to share—breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday

Sermon: “What If There Are No End Times?”

I’m going to preach this someday—it may as well be now. I’m not an “End Times” person. You won’t find me selling my house, putting on a white robe, and sitting on a mountaintop waiting for Jesus to return. Count me out.

The choir will sing an arrangement of the stirring hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.”

God Bless,

MB

Remember: Blake’s school choir concert will be on Friday evening, December 5, at 6:30 p.m. Mark your calendar!

We continue in prayer for the Valenzuela family in the loss of Vicky’s brother. May the Lord be with them, and may they know that their loved one is safe in Christ and going on with his life in Him.

I’ll keep it short this week. I’m preparing for cataract surgery on Tuesday. By the time you read this, it should be done. This Sunday, you’ll see me with one lens still in my glasses and the other removed—that’s how it works until the second eye is done. Then comes knee replacement on December 3. I will miss at least the second and third Sundays of Advent; Mary will be preaching those Sundays.

Last Sunday, we had 59 in worship, including three guests, and Carol Bennett was back. So good to see her. It was a meaningful All Saints Sunday.

Pastor’s Class — 9:45 AM (Breakfast follows)

We had a wonderful discussion last week—we never even got to the planned lesson. We continually raised thought-provoking questions about life, death, and God. Yes, we talk about big stuff in this class.
Breakfast This Sunday (10:30 AM): It’s a We-bring Sunday. Bring something to share if you can!

This Sunday in Worship

Sermon: It’s About Love.
Choir Anthem: O Love by Elaine Hagenberg (a fresh, beautiful setting of a cherished hymn).
Last week’s anthem was a little more “intellectual”—this one is sweet and lovely.

I print 70 bulletins each week. If yours sometimes ends up left behind, let’s fix that this Sunday—bring a friend and let every bulletin find a home!
Hope to see you in worship.
God bless,
MB

Mark Your Calendar

Blake’s school choir concert — Friday, December 5, at 6:30 PM. Don’t miss it!

Our love and prayers go out to Vicky Valenzuela and her family following the death of her brother, age 31. The service will be held on Thursday at Nueva Vida Funeral Home in Arlington. Please keep Vicky, Jose, and their family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Last Week and This Week

Thanks to everyone who supported the concert last week! We raised over $1,300, and we’re deeply grateful to our friends at All People’s Unitarian Church for presenting the program.

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, a day to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. I consider it one of the most meaningful Sundays of the year.

Sermon: We Know; Stop Guessing

We actually know a lot about what happens after death—we don’t have to guess. And what we know is more wonderful than we can imagine.

Our choir will sing Awake, My Heart by Jane Marshall, one of the most gifted hymn and anthem composers of the 20th century. A Methodist from Dallas, she passed away in 2019 at the age of 94. Awake, My Heart remains one of her most beloved works.

Pastor’s Class

Last week’s discussion on “Does God get angry?” was outstanding! Join us again this Sunday at 9:45 a.m. for another great conversation, followed by breakfast.

Breakfast this Sunday

It’s a “Winston Sunday”—bring something to share if you’d like! Breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m.

We also set a new record last week for the lowest attendance of the year: 45 in worship. Now that the record has been set, let’s all show up this Sunday and beat it!

On a personal note, I expect to receive a date soon for my knee surgery, which will take place before Christmas. And next Tuesday, I’m scheduled for cataract surgery—they tell me that with my new lenses, I might even be able to pick up Chicago on a clear day!

See you Sunday.

God bless,

MB