WE HAD A WONDERFUL LESSON THIS WEEK. Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac was older when he married Rebekah. They had been married many years before Rebekah became pregnant with twins.

When they were born, they were quite different. Esau was born first, with hair, much like a robe, all over his body. Jacob was born next, holding on to Esau’s heel.

Even though they were twins, they were very different.

We had twins in class on Sunday, Bill and Cindy Wheeler’s grandsons, and their sister, Rebecca. It made talking about the twins Esau and Jacob even more interesting.

Esau was an outdoors type of guy; he loved to hunt and spend time in the fields. Jacob stayed in the house and helped his mom cook.

We discussed what was known as “a birthright.” This went to the oldest son, and they would inherit the family wealth. Esau was the oldest and would receive all the family wealth. He wasn’t too concerned with this; he wanted to be outside.

As their father Isaac was getting old, he had lost most of his sight. Their mother, Rebecca, devised a plan to have her husband, Isaac, bestow the family’s birthright on her favorite son, Jacob. She dressed Jacob with animal fur on his arms and went to Isaac to have the birthright bestowed on him.

Jacob had made a wonderful stew for the family. Esau had been out in the fields hunting; when he came in, he was very hungry and wanted something to eat right away. Jacob said he would give him a bowl of his soup if he would give him his birthright. Esau was very hungry and agreed to the request just to get a bowl of this warm delicious soup.

After Esau had the soup, I wonder what he thought.

Despite our differences, our uniqueness makes each of us a special part of God’s family. See you in church on Sunday so we can continue our travel with Esau and Jacob. Blessings

Last Sunday

I counted only eight — that’s EIGHT! — in our choir last Sunday, but what a lovely noise we did make singing a beautiful arrangement of Fairest Lord Jesus.

I am so proud of our choir.

And our choir director.

And our organist.

I felt good about our service last week.

I hope you were uplifted.

The choir will not sing this Sunday. No rehearsal.

Kristi, our organist, will be out. Julian, our newest choir member, will sing a solo. (And I assume Blake will play piano for the service.)

This Word to Jason

I always give my sermon title here each week, partly so Jason (Hardy) will be able to put it online. But—Jason—I will send it later.

I have several sermons (and scriptures) in mind and as of Monday evening I do not know which I will preach this Sunday.

Closing Out the Year

We are able to estimate—with some confidence—that we will be able to close out the year with all bills paid (including Conference apportionments) if we bring in $17,000 a month for the next two months—in other words—what we need every month to meet our budget.

This is good news.

But it does mean that we will need to be faithful for the rest of the year—and it may be necessary for some of us to think about a special Christmas gift to the church.

We have done a lot this year—including paying for the new playground.

We are grateful for the St. Matthew which is—and for the St. Matthew which will be in months and years to come.

We move on—with Christ our Lord.

He is the Rock on which we stand.

Let us worship him—this Sunday.

GOD BLESS—-MB