Good afternoon friends and family of Knox / St Giles Amalgamated Church,

It is the season of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.  The abundance that surrounds us incites us to praise and worship and serve the One who gives us everything.

This week, our own Rev. Tom Brownlee will be preaching on Matthew 22.  Jesus is asked if it is right to pay taxes.  And his response is fascinating… “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Do you belong to God?  How do you give yourself to God?  At the Bible Study this week we looked at the Book of Ezra, and asked ourselves if our priorities were right.  What does it look like to put God first in our lives before anything else… even taxes or elections or our own plans?  

It is hard to be a faithful follower in a world distracted by worship to the false gods of culture, philosophy, and autonomy.  It is hard to remember that the things of Caesar are always secondary to the things of God. And discouragement and opposition will always present themselves to those who faithfully follow Christ to test our faith.

So do not lose hope. Know you have been stamped with the image of God.  You are the children of God called to serve and sing and worship to God.  And God has blessed us all lavishly.  Respond with a gratitude to God that mirrors and pairs with the bounty we have been given by God.

This week, God has provided financial security (through a loan from the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod) of up to $10,000 per month until the sale of our southern building concludes. This money will help us continue with ministry, and help us to prepare for the next steps in our amalgamation.  But just as we need this money (and more besides, frankly) to help actualize the vision for the new church, we need people.  Specifically you.  

God’s church is an actual, visible, localized gathering of believers who meet regularly at a specific place for fellowship, prayer, and worship.  So…. after worship this week in the northern building, we will meet just outside the sanctuary with the committee conveners of our church.  The gathering of leaders will include the convener of the new vision task force, Joy Augustin.  And we will invite all members of our church to talk with them and offer gifts of time and talent given to you by God, back to God.

Please pray for God to show you where you will contribute.  We encourage every pair of hands that is attached to a heart for God to participate.The bulletin for our weekly worship is attached, and within are announcements for activities and ministry of our church.  
But better than this, please come in person to be with your brothers and sisters in Christ this Sunday to hear all about these plans and events from those who love God as much as you.  And together we will praise God, whose love embraces the whole creation, and who finds a place and a purpose for us mortals.  
May God’s spirit give us the energy and insight we need to serve, praise and worship God.  May God bless us all.
Blessings,

Rev. Chandra Mannix