Dear friends,
As many in the US gather around tables with family and friends this week, I wanted to share with you some things for which I am grateful in the ministries and community we create together on the corner of 6th & Orchard. I invite you to lift a prayer of thanksgiving, and to join me in thanking God for these amazing people and reminders of God's love:
For the Center for Spirituality & the Arts, for our director, Ben Smith, and for the artists and residents who share their gifts and skills in so many life-giving ways with our community: Mindy Barker, Tori Fields, Nathaniel Dybevik, Janelle G., Walker Sherman, Trevor Nundahl and Adam Martin.
For our talented staff and all they do to keep our church running and enable us to live out our Gospel call: Cassie Tripp, Nathaniel Dybevik, Don Tripp, Ben Smith, Katy Mundy.
For our worship leaders, our musicians, Ben Smith, Joshua 'Sam' Bero and Plum Royal, our liturgists, our talented choir members, our elders, deacons, our moderator, Jeaneatte Sanchez-Izenman, for those who share their gifts to carry out weekly church business including our office volunteers, Anita Thompson, Martha Redford, Mark Fry, Joyce Tober, Vicky Carlson, Karen Murray, Bill McDaniel, and so many more who work behind the scenes.
For the staff and volunteers who make the village at 6th and Orchard the success that it is: Ty Campbell, Josh Dansby, Joe Perva, for all the case managers and special needs coordinators, for the children, youth, and adults who reside there, for the Low Income Housing Alliance, for LIHI president, Sharon Lee
For the natural beauty of the trees, mountains, waters and greenery that adorn this region, a gorgeous gift from God.
For the blessing of FCC Tacoma; a community of faith and friends for the journey of life - through all the ups and downs an in-betweens.
May you find time to pause and give God thanks for the blessings in your life, and to make your life a blessing to those around you.
With deep gratitude and love,
Pastor Doug
+++
Among our Joys
We are in for a treat this Advent, thanks to the hard work of many artists in our community, including visual artist, Torie Fields who has designed a sanctuary adornment to evolve throughout the season, and musician, Sam Bero who has composed a series of songs to complement this year's theme, "Living Peace."
Among our Concerns
We lift up:
Roger Davidson, recovering now at home from a successful heart valve transplant on November 22nd.
The Alvarado family
Charlene Housman, continuing recovery at a rehabilitation center in Puyallup
Steven Lynd
September Petersen
Bear, Mel Peabody's partner
Rachel Morford
We pray for our homebound friends, Helen Bosley, Harry and Margaret Lobberegt, Jane Nelson, Marylu and Joseph Mills and Jim and Kay Thompson and Lenora Cook.
Among our local and global community concerns:
We grieve with our siblings across the country in the midst of a surge of mass shootings, many committed in an attempt to spread hatred and fear among some of the most marginalized in our communities, including the shooting at Club Q queer bar in Colorado Springs, CO, another at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the killing of five Chinese nationals at a marijuana farm in Kingfisher County, OK. God, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For our Global Ministries partners, this week in Lebanon.
+++
If you'd like to share a prayer joy or concern, please contact Pastor Doug at doug@fcctacoma.org or by calling the church office. Please indicate whether your prayer is to be shared publicly, or if you'd like it to be kept private.
Comments