Big doings for Thanksgiving at St. John's - Rector's Rambling for November 23, 2014

One last hurrah for our green vestments before we begin our next Church season – Advent.  Since June, with an occasional deviation, we have been wearing the green vestments, the color of growth and life, as we have worked our way through the Sundays of ordinary time.  Next week the purple vestments and altar hangings re-appear and we move into the penitential and expectant season of preparing not only for the coming of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas), but also our own preparation for Jesus’ return in glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead!

But before we do that, we have an exciting event ahead.  This week we celebrate Thanksgiving.  The Thanksgiving Holy Communion service will be Wednesday, November 26, at 7:00 PM.  Being thankful on Thanksgiving assumes you’re being thankful to God for the many gifts and blessings He has bestowed upon us.  Thankfulness is a wonderful attitude, especially when we realize from whom, ultimately, we receive all those good gifts.

After the service Wednesday, parishioners and friends are welcome to spend the night at St. John’s.  We will have a snack and then into bed early in preparation for the big day on Thursday.  Bring your own bedroll/air mattress, etc., for the night’s stay.

On Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving by hosting a pancake breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM (volunteers needed), having a Donut and Hot Chocolate/Coffee sale, and, of course, watching the parade from our own garden.

St. John’s also becomes a big warming center for those wanting to get out from the cold, and it is wonderful to see so many visitors step into the sanctuary and look up with awe and wonder.  As I often hear at weddings and funerals (when we have lots of guests), we hear many times on this day, “Wow!  I have driven by here a million times, but never imagined it was this beautiful inside!”

Whether spending the night, or just coming down for the parade, be sure to join us and invite your friends, neighbors, and family to come as well.  Be sure to arrive EARLY, and enter the area from the east side since you will not be able to cross Woodward due to its being closed for parade preparation and execution.