Yesterday we talked about our short-term, small-group meetings. Today we're going to review the one-time special events for the fall and winter of 2013.
You've already experienced two of our biggest events, the BBQ party and Cluster Worship held in September. Those large-scale, public celebrations showed our community what we're about.
We're keeping the ball rolling with a more modest outing in October. The girls in our confirmation class have volunteered to hand out candy at the church doors on Halloween. We always hand out candy at the parsonage but there's value in having kids come to the church as well. Anything that reminds people that we're active, alive, and part of this community is a step in the right direction. Doing it through candy is a no-brainer. What sweeter gift could there be?
But here's an example of how we do things. Most folks hand out fun-sized bars on Halloween. Those are the miniature versions...very sensible and cost-effective. Nothing wrong with that! But when I was a kid trick-or-treating I always remembered my joy when I got a full-sized candy bar. They're more expensive. You can get enough fun-sized bars to safely feed Genesee for around $30. Regular-sized bars will run you around $50 if you find them on sale. The difference is $20.
That's a significant difference and I understand why most folks would go the cheaper route. Kids probably get enough candy as it is and $20 isn't anything to sneeze at. But when I'm thinking about giving to the church, that $20 isn't as big of a deal. I'm not weighing price-per-ounce as much as I'm asking what message the candy will send. When kids walk up to our church doors do we want them to have a regular and fine experience or something they'll remember and smile about? If I can spend $20 to give them the latter (for Christ's sake, not for mine) that's more than a good investment. Who am I to hold back $20 in the name of getting something more for myself?
Deliver the message first, count the cost later...if at all. That is the gospel, evangelist way. So yeah, the kids coming to the church doors will get at least regular-sized candy bars this year. If I can find King-Sized candy bars on sale enough, they'll get those instead and have their minds blown. That's not just my gift to them, it's my gift to the church and our community.
Also in October, on Reformation Sunday, we're going to celebrate the Latin American contributions to our church with music and some Latin American cuisine after church. It won't be a potluck...maybe not even a full meal. Just some things to nosh on to set apart the day.
Moving on into November, we'll serve our usual Thanksgiving Dinner for any folks who might find themselves alone in Genesee or just not wanting to cook. It's become quite the event over the years. We sometimes get as few as 20 but we've had over 40 before. We love it when families come to be a part of our bigger church/community family. 4:00 on Thanksgiving Day. Come if you want, bring friends, and let people know!
In December we'll have another big, public celebration. Our band is going to put on a Christmas concert on a Saturday night near Christmas. It'll be a familiar song, sing-along event. We'll sing Silent Night and Joy to the World, of course, but we'll also do Frosty and Rudolph and Let It Snow...all your favorites. This will replace the caroling and cookie distribution that we've done in past years. We will ask our church folks to bake a few cookies for the event, but nothing near the 100+ dozen we've distributed in years past. Maybe 10-12 dozen total would do it. Everyone will be invited.
We're going to spread the word about all these events far and wide. As they come up, please help us by letting your friends know.
I hope you're ready for an exciting fall!
--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)
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