HARRISBURG FIRST CHURCH OF GOD

www.harrisburgfirstchurch.org

November Newsletter Article

Dear friends in Christ:

 We are about to celebrate Thanksgiving once again!  Two-Thousand Nine has been an eventful year for me and for Harrisburg First Church of God and I am sure it holds great memories for all of you.  While the weather may not have been as we liked earlier, with the rain and cold snap we had, it certainly is lovely now as we slip into autumn.  Soon the vegetation will be a multitude of colors as God the great artist practices the art of leaf coloring and ripening of the pumpkins. 

Our minds slip to images of the great outdoors as we approach Thanksgiving.  While our thanks are there for all the produce we enjoy, we also need to see Thanksgiving as a time to thank God for all of life – relationships, employment, homes, friends, family, and our volunteer activities.  Certainly at Harrisburg First we can celebrate so much that is good and thank God for our church and our church family. 

It is a joy for me to be here among you as your pastor.  Even though we have fallen on some hard economic times this is not the time for treading water and I intend to lead a vibrant church family on the move. 

Thanksgiving is a time to remember our church, the work of our church in the Greater Harrisburg and surrounding areas and the mission and outreach work we do here and through our Eastern Regional Conference.  I ask you to prayerfully consider the enclosed envelope for a special Thanksgiving offering over and above your regular offerings and tithing.  We certainly could use your help now so that we can make our budget.  Isn’t it wonderful to be able to give back to God from the bounty He has given us? 

I have found Harrisburg First to be a vibrant, loving, and friendly church.  We are a vital source of good in the Harrisburg area and an important part of the community’s social fabric.  Think of the people you have met in the church and the associations you have built up.  It is hard to imagine life without our church family. 

Thank you for your ministry to me as I minister to you.  Happy Thanksgiving to you, and to those in your household.  I hope to see you on November 25, 7:00 pm, at United Church of God for our Thanksgiving celebration with some of our sister churches participating with us.  If you are away or unable to come, we will pray for you, as we trust you will pray for us.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Wayne

Harrisburg First Church of God, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 - 717-236-8562