Dear People of St. Philip’s:

“Thanksgiving”: the holiday is upon us!  Each Sunday is a day when we at the church stop to “give thanks” for God’s blessings. (Did you know that our service of Holy Communion is a service of “thanksgiving”, known in Greek as “Eucharist”?) Well, November is the time of year our country stops to give thanks, to celebrate with family and friends, to offer God’s blessing for those who are needy, to remember the wonderful and unique thing that God did for our ancestors who founded America as a country of opportunity. This year I am especially filled with “thanksgiving joy”, as God has brought me to a new opportunity in ministry here at St. Philip’s.

What a fabulous celebration it was on October 28 when you gathered to hear my vows to serve with you, and for me to hear your promises to support me: by God’s grace we will uphold one another in ministry.  Many people are to be thanked for the success of that glorious day when you graciously hosted with abundant food, warmth and joy.  There are too many people to accurately thank here; some of you were so “behind the scenes” about your service we didn’t actually see you, but we knew you were working hard to make this happen for the glory of God--and for that I give you thanks.

These first two months have been overflowing with goodness. Even difficult moments have resulted in further blessing.  October was filled with preparation for the extremely successful Harvest Fair and Diocesan Convention business, as well as the installation service.  We also gave a teary “good-bye” dinner to founding members, Val and Nancy Jackson, thanking them for their service and love for St. Philip’s. [Read more about these elsewhere in this Newsletter.]  As these various events were taking place, there was a phenomenal outpouring of prayers and support to one of our families that had a member suffering from a severe illness and surgery.  All of this could only happen because the Holy Spirit flows freely to sustain those who place their lives in Christ--the living Son of God at the center of our congregation.  Praise and thanksgiving go to God!

November will be filled with special worship services designed to help us reflect together on our thanksgivings: we will enjoy our kids as “Saints” and welcome new members on November 5; we will give special “thanks” for God’s abundant gifts in our “ingathering” service November 19, and some of us will worship with Community Covenant Church at 7pm on November 22 giving thanks for our community of Scotts Valley.

Many people have encouraged me to slow down and “coast” a while. I know God stopped on the “seventh day” to rest, to reflect upon creation and say “it is VERY good”.  We need to do that, too. But I must admit, until Jim and I sell our home and physically move to Scotts Valley it will be difficult to truly find “down time.”  In the meantime, we thank you for your understanding and patience as we pace ourselves for ministry.  Thank you for prayers that sustain us as we commute between Morgan Hill and Scotts Valley.  We know that trusting in our Lord to lead the way, we will one day be your neighbors as well as your fellow servants.

                          In Christ,

                          Pastor Mary and Jim Blessing