This week, we learned about a widow who was facing a difficult situation. After her husband passed away, she was left with two sons and a lot of debt. The creditors came and threatened to take her sons as servants to repay the money. In her desperation, she turned to the prophet Elisha for help.

Elisha asked her what she had in her house, and she said she only had a small jar of oil. Elisha told her to send her sons to borrow as many empty jars as they could from their neighbors. Then, he instructed her to go inside, shut the door with her sons, and start pouring oil into the jars. Amazingly, the oil kept flowing until every jar was full! Once all the jars were filled, the oil stopped. Elisha told her to sell the oil to pay off her debts, and there was even enough left over for her and her sons to live on.

This story reminds us that God can take even the smallest things we have and turn them into something amazing if we trust Him.

We hope to see all our kids back at church soon! We’re excited to start working on a Christmas program—and maybe even convince Santa to pay us a visit! Bring your kids to church this Sunday. Blessings!

I have no words of comfort concerning the next four years. The winners are dangerous.

I remember the title of a book about women being complicit in their troubles in an abusive marriage: The Bed Was on Fire When I Got in It.

Over 50% of Americans have taken all of us into the fire. They could see it. Yet they chose it.

And most of those Americans are Christian. Conservative Christian.

That’s the important distinction. Conservative Christianity, with its angry, vengeful God, is a different religion from the one I preach.

And it’s different from what Jesus taught.

Jesus rejected vengeance of any kind.

Conservative Christians have now put a man of vengeance in the highest office in the land.

Something is wrong with the conservative church. And always has been.
Because their primary commitment is to the Bible with its many different images of God.

And the only image that counts is the image we have in Jesus Christ: a God of unconditional love for all humanity.

Now, people we love are in danger: women, gay people, immigrants, the poor, all minorities.

Education is in danger.

Freedom of speech is in danger. Our national security is in danger.

But I do have a word of comfort after all: God is not dead. And neither are you and I.

It’s not over. It’s never over. But some of you have a witness you are not using.

Help build that part of the church which stands with Jesus Christ.

And do it now.

Start this Sunday.

Saturday’s Concert

THIS Saturday—at 6:00 p.m.

Sandwich supper afterward.

Some of you will need to help with sandwiches or actually anything that would go with sandwiches—beans, potato salad, whatever. (We have chips.)

It’s been a hard season lately. Let’s have some fun. Mel Creason, Blake, Shannon, and Julian will all be singing. We will take an offering to help with our budget.

Let’s gather—Saturday at 6:00.

The Class—Discovering God

We truly are learning things we have not known. And the class gives us time to look carefully at what God is saying to us through experience. We have had some quite remarkable sessions.

You are welcome at any time.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “Winston” Sunday. Expect a really good meal. You are also free to bring food.

Food and fellowship at 10:30, followed by worship.

This Sunday

The sermon Sunday: Trust God.

I hope Blake is feeling better. Our choir may (or may not) be singing Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. And hear this, choir: Blake wants to begin rehearsal this week at 9:00 to make up some lost time.

God Bless,
MB

P.S.—Got a nice e-mail from the president of Brite Divinity School in response to a recent Friday’s Word. I will share it with you Sunday.

REMEMBER THE CONCERT SATURDAY!!!
And remember our big Thanksgiving service and dinner on Sunday, Nov. 24—a week from this Sunday.