Thanksgiving
“Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:15
Recently, someone told me they no longer celebrate Thanksgiving because of the ugly truths hidden behind its myths. Popular belief holds that the Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated the first Thanksgiving like one big happy family after a successful harvest in 1621. This belief distorts the truth beyond recognition. Another Thanksgiving myth honors our brave ancestors who came to America to uphold religious freedom. However, that “freedom” was limited to white men with a stern, regimented belief in a God who ordained them to power.
This is not a history to celebrate. But we can unlearn the childhood lessons that included Pilgrim hats and feathered headdresses made out of construction paper. Unlearning can be disorienting, earth-shattering, and world rocking. It calls us to re-examine who we are, and to question the wisdom of teachers we fondly remember. But unlearning can clean our plates so God can serve heaping portions of love and hope to a starving world.
A theocracy of domination and oppression is not the banquet Jesus envisioned. He spread a divine feast of love. The only folks who couldn’t find a place at Christ’s table were the ones who refused to unlearn the lessons taught by stern, regimented religious folks who loved power more than people.
Since the dawn of an agrarian society, people have celebrated the end of harvest season. For a few days, workers pause from their toil to give thanks for the earth’s bounty. That’s a Thanksgiving worth celebrating.
A hungry world awaits my friends. Let’s unlearn together and generously share the feast of God.
Gratefully yours,
Pastor Katheryn
Homeless – Day of Remembrance
Austin American Statesman from 11/01/2019 early morning service – prayers for homelessness and a better way. https://www.statesman.com/photogallery/TX/20191101/PHOTOGALLERY/110109985/PH/1
Service – Homelessness
Austin American Statesman from Friday’s 11/01/2019 early morning service – prayers for homelessness and a better way. https://www.statesman.com/photogallery/TX/20191101/PHOTOGALLERY/110109985/PH/1
Stewardship Sunday
Stewardship Season
Our courageous giving changes the world!
Stewardship Season is here! Each year during this season, we renew our financial and time commitments to this special place. The Stewardship Team requests that members and other pledgers submit their annual pledges for 2020 starting on October 20, 2019. Annual pledges make up a significant portion of Central Presbyterian Church’s budget. Your courageous generosity and the generosity of our predecessors has allowed this congregation to thrive for 180 years. The Stewardship Team has mailed out brochures containing pledge cards, but you can also find the pledge card on CPC’s website. Thank you for your support of this special place.
Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 CORINTHIANS 16: 13-14.