Message from the Pastor

As we turn the corner from Halloween, there is another holiday fast on its heels. Contrary to what the retail world might think, it isn’t Christmas (yet). Thanksgiving is almost here! It’s always a bit of a hectic time of year. Maybe you’re traveling or welcoming guests. Maybe you’re decorating in anticipation of the start of the holiday season. Maybe you’re getting ready for some football, or warming up to go hit those Black Friday deals. And then, of course, there’s the food! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce…and don’t forget the pie! Perhaps you can figure out what my favorite part of Thanksgiving is. And in truth, I probably wouldn’t be overstating if I said that, for many people, food IS Thanksgiving. 

But what if I told you that thanksgiving is food. Not the holiday, but the act. And not food for the body, but food for the soul. Just as we need to eat good food to nourish our bodies, we need thankfulness to nourish our souls. Because thanksgiving is really a way of life. It is the discipline of looking back and seeing where God has been present in our lives, in the good times, yes, but also in the hard times. It is the act of looking with intention at our stories and seeing the places where God’s story has intersected them. And knowing where God has been present in our past brings about hope for God’s continued presence in our future.

The Psalmist encourages us to this thanksgiving way of living: “Let us come into [God’s] presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2). Beloved, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and we enter into this hectic time of preparation and celebration, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on God’s presence in our lives. For what are you thankful this year? For my part, I am thankful for you, dear Church, and for the year that I have been privileged to serve as pastor at St. Mark’s. It is an honor and a joy to walk with you in thanksgiving. May we continue to journey in hope, confident that the God who has been faithful before will be faithful again. And may we never tire of coming together in God’s presence with thanksgiving.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Will Starkweather