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Hi everyone! I trust you’ve had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and that this has been a good week for you whatever you’ve been up to. It has certainly been a beautiful season. Again this morning as Diane and I were driving to work, we reflected on what a lovely fall we’ve had, and how magical things look with the trees decked out in color and (at least around our place) shrouded in morning fog. I never cease to be amazed at the artistry our Lord has built into this wonderful world He has created!

I’m going to try to keep my comments shorter again this week—partly to compensate for last Thursday’s loooong piece, and partly because I’m trying to get another chapter cranked out in my spiritual gift Bible study project. I enjoy this chapter. It’s a chance for me to review some context that I find interesting, and that context helps to set our study on a good footing. At the same time, I’m eager to get through it and into the meat of the Bible study. So I’m doing my best to free up some hours to get this installment together. It will probably come out later in the week, or at the very least by the start of next week. If you’re downloading the chapters and following along, keep an eye on the website and you’ll see it when Fiona gets it posted.

Otherwise it’s a pretty normal week here in the church office. We’ve got the usual Bible studies and other gatherings scattered across the schedule. It’s always good to see God’s people gather to encourage each other and to grow together. We had a delightful time of prayer on Tuesday evening focusing on our upcoming elections. That’s something we can all continue to pray about these days. Also, as you’ve seen from the announcements, this Saturday will be the celebration of life for Al Bueckert (2:00 at the church). Please continue to pray for the Bueckert family; and thanks in advance to all who will come to show solidarity and care for them this Saturday.

Finally, if you’re reading ahead in preparation for the upcoming Sunday sermon, this week we’re going to continue the section Aldo introduced last Sunday, looking at 1 Peter 2:18-3:9. On the surface this passage simply gives instructions about mutual submission and care for family members, similar to what we get in a couple of Paul’s letters. In particular, it has a lot to say to slaves whose masters are unkind, and to wives whose husbands are not Christians.

Obviously we all want our households to operate by godly principles, and these verses are a help to that end. However, when you look closely at this passage, especially in the context of Peter’s larger letter, it quickly becomes clear that Peter’s main focus is on how we ought to live as Jesus’ representatives in places that are difficult, where we run the risk of being unjustly and unkindly treated. That’s the theme we’ll concentrate on this Sunday. It’s a big part of Peter’s message, and it’s relevant to all of us as we live in an increasingly secular society.

In the meantime, have a wonderful week, wherever the days take you. Richest blessings!

—Pastor Ken