On my morning walk the other day, I marveled at the gorgeous autumn leaves in full color on the trees. Many of the trees have already dropped a good portion of leaves. I ran into a woman who was raking in her front yard and moving the leaves to the verge on the other side of the sidewalk. I said to her, “Good for you. That’s what I should be doing right now. My backyard is already full of leaves.” She laughed and said, “Well, you might as well wait. As it gets colder, I’ll have to do this all over again before all the leaves are down.”

 

My backyard is full of fallen leaves but rather low on critters these days. I’ve not seen many of them and I’ve been telling my husband that I’m a bit worried about them as it gets colder out. Where have they gone?

 

Yesterday, my husband found a loaf of bread that had been in the pantry for a while. We’d forgotten about it. It wasn’t moldy yet but soon would be.  He surprised me by cutting the loaf up in small square pieces, then putting them back in the bag and leaving it on the countertop. When I went upstairs to the kitchen, I didn’t know why he’d done that or what it was for, so I asked him. He said, “I know how much worry about the critters. So I cut the loaf up for you to feed them.”

 

So that’s what I did. I started scattering the bread pieces across the lawn. Whenever I do this, I always pray for the critters, that they will have enough food for the winter. I pray that they will be safe. And I always tell them that God loves them.

 

When the bag was empty, I went back into the kitchen and waited for them to come out. But nothing happened. Then finally they came. Not many. Only a few squirrels, a few rabbits (or hares I believe is the proper name), a few chipmunks and a handful of birds.

“Where have they all gone,” I asked, “Have they moved away? Is it too cold for them to come out?”

 

I thought it would take forever for these few critters to scoop up a whole loaf of bread but actually it didn’t take long at all. I was amazed at how quickly the bread disappeared.

Winter is still a good while away but the falling leaves remind me that the seasons are changing. Not only outside my window but the changing seasons in our lives. I am reminded of God’s enduring presence and his promise of renewal in every season of life: birth, youth, adolescence, adulthood, old age…

 

In the book of Isaiah, God says, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me…for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give my drink to my chosen ones, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.” (Isaiah 18-20a, 21)

 

God is always with us. And God is always doing a new thing, no matter what stage of life we are in; loving and guiding, showing us the way. And I figure our only response to that should be to join in with those wild critters - and honor him with our thanks and praise. 

 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen

 

 

                                        Announcements:

 

Oh My It's PIE DAY, next Sunday, November 16th. Bring in a can or box of a non-perishable food item and stay for a piece of pie. All are invited to attend. Attached is a picture I saw on Facebook asking for needs for the Crete Food Pantry. I heard 20 new families have signed-up this week to receive food from the pantry. Please bring what you can to help those in need. 

 

Our Thrift Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9-3p, @ 1321 Main Street, Crete, IL. 

 

PENNY-PANTRY SUNDAY is the fourth Sunday of every month. From October to December, we will be collecting for the Pastor's Helping Hands Ministry. 

 

Our Annual Church Conference will take place on Tuesday, November 18th, in the church Sanctuary, beginning at 2p. All are invited. 

 

Save the Date for upcoming Christmas Events:

Saturday, December 6th for our Annual Arts and Craft Fair, from 9 to 3p, in the lobby.  

Sunday, December 7th for our Annual Sing-a-long Christmas Concert, in the church Sanctuary, beginning at 3p.

 

Poinsettias can now be ordered till Sunday, December 14th to decorate the altar for the Christmas Holiday. Cost per flower is $9.50 each. Colors available are red, white, or pink. Order forms are available on the wooden table as you enter the Sanctuary. 

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