By now most of our Thanksgiving celebrations are behind us and, if you're lucky, your fridge is full of some good leftovers to hold you over for the week.
 
Right on the heels of Thanksgiving, we begin a new church year. This Sunday is the start of the season of Advent during which we prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of Christ, not only as a baby, but also in his coming again in glory.
 
This Advent we will be led by the words of the prophet Isaiah in an inspiring study called "Immanuel" written by Rev. Kena Newkirk. www.northbrookumc.com/uploads/1/0/8/6/108635649/advent_devo_2025__3_.pdf
​Sometime this weekend I would encourage you to go ahead and read the "Introduction" and the section for the first Sunday of Advent. Then read along and reflect on the included daily readings.
 
This coming holiday season is one that is challenging for most people in one way or another. The lowlight of this time of year along with the busy schedule and obligations can cause stress. The absence of a dear loved one from the table, the decline of old age, the diagnosis we didn't want to hear, and the strain of finances can weigh heavily.
 
Let us begin by acknowledging our feelings, both good and bad, thankful and regretful, then take them to the Lord in prayer. God wants us to share our hearts and to encourage us through the Spirit's presence and the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are lonely or need spiritual support, don't hesitate to reach out to the church staff or your friends in faith. We're all in this life together and for that I am most thankful. I wouldn't want to do life with anyone else, but this church called Northbrook.
 
A recent guest at church greeted me after the worship service. With tears in his eyes he told me, "Being here today was like coming home."
 
How good it is to be able to "come home" for the holidays, a home where all are welcome and all are loved, a place we can call home because Jesus comes to make his home with us.
 
See you Sunday,
 Jennifer Andone, Senior Pastor

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing birthday blessings at Northbrook Preschool Chapel. It is such a highlight to celebrate with these young disciples as we sing and dance in our beloved sanctuary. During chapel, the talented Leslie Bowers led the children in a fun chanting song about being thankful. Part of the song was call-and-response, and it went something like this:

Thankful that He died for me
Thankful that He set me free
Thankful that He helps me grow
Thankful that He loves me so

We then practiced adding different things we might be thankful for, such as turkey on Thanksgiving Day or restful naps for parents. It is a simple but essential task that we, as the church, must cultivate an attitude and discipline of gratefulness with our young people. This is not a practice endorsed by our political or economic system. The cyclical beast of materialism--of consumption and disposal--is not fed by contentment but by discontent, greed, jealousy, and the fear of scarcity.

We must teach our children and remind ourselves to be thankful. We must cultivate the spiritual discipline of Thanksgiving. Waltar Bruggaman argues that "Gratitude is an act of subversion.... In missional and liturgical ways, the church in its gratitude witnesses to 'a more excellent way,' a way that corresponds to God’s good intention for God’s world."

Cultivating a community of gratitude and thanksgiving might seem like a monumental task. There are so many challenges we must face while pursuing it. “Gratitude is an act of rebellion towards the powers that govern our world. Thanksgiving is an attitude antithetical to the culture and disruptive to the systems of commerce. It is not nature, as evidenced by Jesus' experience in Luke 17:11-19, in which he healed 10 people suffering from leprosy, and only one turned back to thank him—and he was a Samaritan."
 
As daunting as the task may seem, cultivating a community of gratitude is as simple as singing a song. Being a thankful person means you take time regularly to verbally and physically express your thanks. In small, regular ways, thanksgiving becomes less of a one-time holiday and more of a spiritual discipline that reshapes a person's heart to be more receptive to the blessings of Jesus. May we all take time to express our gratitude to God each day, remembering that it is a small but mighty act of rebellion in this world. 
 
In gratitude,
Kena Newkirk, Associate Pastor
Discipleship & Connections
 

​Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving? Americans celebrate Thanksgiving to give thanks for a harvest and national blessings. It started in a 1621 feast and was declared a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Over time the holiday changed from its religious roots of harvest and celebrations. Modern day Thanksgiving is a holiday focused on family and gratitude. It's celebrated with a large meal featuring roasted turkey, stuffing and sweet potato pie. We sit around watching the Macy's parade, while at the same time anticipating some action-packed football soon to come. It's a day of joy and laughter whether it's with family or friends. But none the least, getting your bellies full.
 
We as Christians are more fine-tuned than a once-a-year day of thanksgiving. The true meaning of thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude especially to God. Christians celebrate thanksgiving daily by starting the day with a prayer of gratitude, thanking God in personal prayer. We have so many things to be thankful for that we often take for granted. We wake up each morning to a beautiful sunrise, having food to eat and a roof over our heads. Be thankful for good health and good doctors that we can rely on when needed. Appreciate the world around you and the beauty of nature that God has provided for you and I. Give thanks for the Holy Spirit who provides guidance and helps in making choices. Each day is an opportunity for a fresh start, and God offers daily forgiveness for our mistakes. Let us be thankful in all circumstances and recognize that God will forever provide our needs.
 
Dear God, thank you for all the blessings in my life, for the food I eat, the people I love, and the quiet moments of peace. Help me recognize your goodness in every day given.
Amen.
 
In Christ,
Jerome Young
Facilities Manager
 

Last Sunday was All Saint’s Day, a special time when we celebrate loved ones who died during the past year. A time to reflect, grieve and celebrate an earthly life ending, and the new beginning of life in Heaven.
 
As a young parent, the idea of having to talk to my child about death was daunting. I remember taking a walk with Emily and seeing a dead bird on the sidewalk. I made an immediate about face as I shielded her from the reality of this lifeless bird. Making death a normal and accepted part of life is easier said than done, when words are required to make meaning of death to children.
 
The Godly Play stories face this existential limit head on, including death as a normal part of the stories. The Old Testament stories that occur in the desert begin with talking about the dangers of the desert and that people die in the desert from exposure, getting lost, or running out of food or water. When Sarah dies in the desert, we bury the wooden shape representing Sarah under the sand as part of the story, and later Abraham joins her. It is only in facing and talking about death that we can understand all that heaven means to us, as we get to the stories of Jesus’ life and death.
 
But where do we begin in talking with our children about death? Often the death of a pet is the first encounter with the topic as evidenced during our group prayer at the end of class, when deceased pets are offered by the children for prayer. Helping children see a loved one’s transition to Heaven as a joyful event through the tears of grief, while still acknowledging the sadness felt by the earthly loss, begins the process.

Sometimes a death in the family is the first time for a child to see their parent shed tears. Reinforce for them (and ourselves) that our deceased loved one did not stop loving us when they left, they will love their family members forever, just as God loves us. And when overwhelmed with sad feelings, you can talk to Jesus about your feelings as he understands and will comfort us. Having a special place or item to remember a loved one may also bring closeness and comfort as well as new traditions such as celebrating “heavenly birthdays.”  And always remembering that your loving church family will wrap your family in love during this grief-filled time and walk alongside all of you in your grief.
 
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes: There shall be no more death, not sorrow, nor crying, and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.  ​Revelation 21:4
​
Faithfully yours,
Christy Merritt
Director of Children’s Ministry