More than an ox

My social media feed is reminding me to start thawing the turkey this weekend. So now I know, Thanksgiving is definitely around the corner! 

³⁰ I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
³¹ This will please the Lord more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

Psalm 69:30–31

This passage actually makes me laugh a bit. I know it’s making an comparison to the offering of thanksgiving we offer to God as being more than anything tangible we can bring. And that the offering of an ox was a way that the Hebrew people would give to God in a burnt offering. But somehow reading it today, it just seems so remote. But it’s good discipleship to hear.

God wants our hearts more than our stuff. God wants to free and shape what we love, and reorient our understanding of where are stuff comes from and what it’s for. 

So I think it’s a great scripture to offer as a bridge the gap between Thanksgiving and the upcoming Advent season. We would do well to pause and think about what we love, how we think of our stuff and find a way to be intentional to center Christ this Christmas, and not the unruly and lesser God of materialism. I look forward to being encouraged to do this in my own life as I gather with you to worship, to celebrate and to bless others. I hope you will look at your calendars this weekend, and maybe also your amazon wishlists, or others plans, and prayerfully set yourself up to encounter Jesus in the coming weeks. 

Here’s what’s coming up:

TONIGHT is our YOUTH GROUP Friendsgiving. Join us from 6:00 – 8:30pm at the Ross’. We’ll enjoy a little feast, play some games, and get creative with our art supplies. (Thanks Kyunghee for all the art things, there’s still going strong) 

TOMORROW 11/23 NEXT SUNDAY 11/30 is Church in the Living Room. Join us at 10:30am at the Ross’. We’ll continue to soak in how wonderful Jesus is by reflecting on the New Testament letter to the Hebrews. 

BLESS OTHERS with St. Stephen’s ANGEL TREE. Please see the attached flyer with all the info you need to bless a child this Christmas by helping their families provide gifts. 

DECEMBER 6, at 5:30pm will celebrate the season with St. Stephen’s at their Christmas Potluck at the church.

DECEMBER 14 at 10:30am is Church in the Living Room. 

DECEMBER 20 is our SONGS & SCRIPTURES Worship Gathering. St. Stephen’s folks are invited to join us

DECEMBER 23 Join us at 7:00pm.  We’ve decided to have a Christmas Eve’s Eve, Video Hangout on Zoom to celebrate this year. Feel free to don your favorite Christmas pjs, or a Ugly Christmas sweater. Bring your “Silent Night” candles that you can pick up anytime at church, starting tomorrow. The Ross’ will join in from northern Michigan with my parents and we’ll share our family’s tradition of telling the “baby Jesus” story with our nativity set, singing and scripture. We really appreciate having the opportunity to be “at home” with my parents this year, and your willingness to connect with us on video, instead in person. My parents are super excited to have us, and to celebrate Carl’s bday the day before in person too!

With love and gratitude for each of you and the church we’re building together.