November 1-30; Vol 58 - First Community Church

Stewardship CornerThanksgiving–– The Reverend Mr. Paul Baumer, Minister to the StaffOne can’t be a Christiansteward and not rejoice inthe holiday of Thanksgiving.Giving thanks is what it’s allabout. Well, not our nationalholiday, actually. Read thehonest histories of the firstThanksgiving and you’llknow it happened courtesyof the Native Americans.Otherwise, the Pilgrims/Puritans would have enjoyeda rather slim feast. Unfortunately, any thanks to the NativeAmericans was short-lived.For those of us in the Jewish-Christian tradition,thanksgiving is a foundation of our faith and worship.The root Hebrew word for thanksgiving can be translatedeither as “thanksgiving” or as “praise.” Such praise andthanksgiving is usually accompanied by a “thank offering.”A gift is made to God in thanks for all that God has givento the believer. The gift could be something tangible suchas a portion of the first harvest. Or it could be an action ofservice to others which acts out God’s love and care for us.As Jewish theology developed, to offer thanksgiving wasto offer a blessing and receive a blessing. A blessing wassomething tangible that was experienced or receivedbecause the faithful person “stands near to God.”As Christian theology picked up the theme, to offer thanksto God was all of the above plus taking part in the mostsacred portion of Christian worship, the Eucharist, theThanksgiving. You and I know it as Holy Communion.In sharing the bread we give thanks for the gift of JesusChrist. In sharing the cup, we affirm our covenant withGod to take the message of Jesus into the world.Artfrom theHeartSunday, November 46 - 8 pmGrace Hall, North CampusProceeds to benefit Healing ArtMissions Dumay Clinic in Haiti.Reserve your spaceat FCchurch.comFor more information or tovolunteer, contact Rev. KateShaner, Minister of Missionat kshaner@FCchurch.com or614 488.0681 ext 102Author Tour:A Candid Look at RacismAll of which is to say that when you worship and when yougive and when you serve others and thus share God’s loveand care, you are living Thanksgiving. Enjoy.Lost BibleA brown leather Bible with the family name of Sutterhas been found. To claim it, contact Paula Russell at 614488.0681 ext 228 or prussell@FCchurch.comWednesday, November 7 at 7 pmFirst Community Church South Campus, Brownlee Hall1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, OH 432128 November 1 - 30, 2012