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From your minister - November 2009
“Then you shall send forth a
loud trumpet throughout the land, and you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and
proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants . . . for it is a
Jubilee and it shall be holy to you”
Leviticus: 25:8-12
On
Sunday, November 22 we celebrate Pilgrim’s 50th Anniversary! The word “Jubilee” takes its name from a
ram’s horn, which was used as a trumpet to announce a yearlong time of
rejoicing. In the Jewish tradition, a
time of “sabbatical” was proclaimed every fifty years – the land was left
fallow and returned to its original owners, slaves were freed and feasts of
thanksgiving took place. It was a way of
honoring the earth, remembering the poor and offering gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.
Our
Jubilee Day coincides nicely with Thanksgiving Sunday – which is also
our annual non-perishable food in-gathering.
So bring your gifts for the hungry, and we’ll sing with thanksgiving as
we celebrate fifty faithful and fruitful years as Pilgrim United Church of
Christ. A combined adult music ensemble
will offer a special piece written by our very own John Reiter. Children’s choirs will also sing, and we
anticipate having “guest” piano in place. We’ll give thanks for the past and set vision
for the future! After late service all
are invited to join in a luncheon at Circle B, including a program featuring
guest speakers and video presentations.
By now you should have received your invitation. Please RSVP by mail, offering plates or the
50th table in the Narthex.Before
we reach this historic milestone, we need to take care of our annual Stewardship
needs for 2010. In a sense we’ve decided
to “let the land lie fallow” this next year by holding the line and presenting
a nearly flat budget for 2010. That
said, please remember all $325,000 needed to fund the mission and ministry of
Pilgrim comes from our members and friends.
Please pray and commit with generosity so that we can celebrate the year
of our Jubilee with the promise of continued vitality and the hope of a bold
and bright future! In
joyful servanthood, I remain . . . your minister
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