"When Thank You Is Not Enough" - Sermon Talk Back

Angel Tree

Parents of Boomers were familiar with the parental exhortation, "I don't want to hear 'Sorry,' I want to SEE sorry."   Some of us heard echoes.

"I don't want to hear thank you, I want to see gratitude," pastor Steve paraphrased.   And what does gratitude look like when "Thanks" is not enough?    While the pastor encourages us to sing praises and experience the exaltation of the Christmas season, though maybe not in the grocery store, a "show me gratitude" is expressed in generosity.  Saying thank you is only halfway there--and better than repaying kindness is paying it forward, especially when we are thanking God for our many blessings.

The Advent Conspiracy has impacted our congregation.  Christmas People celebrating "God-with-Us."

The Angel Tree in Fellowship Hall was emptied of tags the first Sunday, and the tree is now surrounded by piles of packages for the children of prisoners.  Many members were disappointed to not get a tag, so a second tree was set up in cooperation with a nursing home to buy gifts for low-income, elderly residents.  That tree was surrounded with packages today. On my Angel Tree tag, the parent asked for white socks for a 10-year-old girl.  I bought a package of white socks with pink heels and toes. It's been a long time since I've had a little girl.  I saw the cutest green toe socks with matching knitted gloves, a little sleeve for every toe and finger.  So cute.  So, in the name of Jesus, I delighted in providing one little girl with socks and mittens and I hope a little fun, wrapped in pretty paper.

For the church staff I bought half a sheep.  I know, what's the deal with half a sheep.  Heifer International, of course.  Half the sheep was in honor of the church staff, and the other half on behalf of my family.  (I originally wanted a pig, and I hope someone will buy me a pig for my birthday.)  A sheep seemed more traditional for Christmas.

The choir sang at both services today.  The coming in and out of two services is a little jumbled and a lot of fun.  I loved singing, "Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel has come to thee, O Israel."   And O Longmont United Methodist Church and O all the people of the world!  And the high school girl who accompanied us on the flute was awesome.

The sanctuary is beautiful with a large tree covered with white and gold chrismons made by the children,
poinsettias, advent wreath, candles and banners.  I love the visuals, the special music, the smells, the reaching out to each other and to the world.  The bounteous crop of advent prayers as we follow the Divine Hours during Advent to Epiphany.

The Denver Rescue Mission wrote to thank me for donating meals in memory of Fred Hopkins.  Fred was always a supporter of the DRM.  It's a way for me to thank God for the life of a special man.  They said they would include me in their prayers.  Will they?   When I'm gone, I hope people will remember me by giving in my name.

Gaily wrapped presents under my own tree include packages that need to get out in the mail.  I feel happy when I look at them.  Thank God for my beautiful, talented, contentious and wonderful family!