Well, I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving holiday and survived black Friday if you chose to brave it (I was in a deer blind as far away as possible from shopping of any kind). Now we turn our attention to Christmas, which the retailers have had their attention on since about July….I know it isn’t my imagination that every year it seems stores start to put out Christmas decorations earlier and earlier. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I love everything about Christmas, but I think the retailers miss the point of it being the birth of our Savior and even take advantage of the fact that it is one of the “sacred” religious holidays to increase their profitability. This year as you shop for your loved ones and friends, I would like to encourage you to go just a small step further. All over Lubbock and the surrounding communities there is a need for YOU.
I don’t know what that looks like for you individually, but I ask you to search your heart, then search your community and see where you can help out. Maybe it is physically serving somewhere. Maybe it means you provide gifts for some sort of Angel tree participant that can be readily found around town and in churches. Maybe you know someone personally who is struggling with finances or family problems that you can invite to your home to eat or better yet fix them an entire meal and take it to their home. Ask your church what they are doing to serve the community this giving season and find out where you fit. If you can’t find a place, contact me and I will help you get connected somewhere. I promise you there is a place for YOU.
As we look toward the end of this year, I want to personally thank each of you for your participation and service to our Emmaus community this year. We have a thriving successful community because we have involved, loving people and I am tremendously blessed to be serving you in this capacity. I have been very encouraged with some of the changes we have made as a community this year, but also how you have all responded. I love seeing all your bright shining faces at community and our Fourth Day events, so a very heartfelt Thank You for being committed to making this community all that it is.
I look forward to seeing all of you Dec. 5th at Brownfield FUMC at 6:30! I know this is a bit of a drive, but remember all of the out-of-town folks that faithfully come to Lubbock each month. I pray a very Merry Christmas for all of you!!
Love and blessings,
Chad Oglesby
