November/ December Newsletter

From Pastor Amy’s Desk

A Season to Pause and Give Thanks

1 Chronicles 29:13 (MSG): “And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.”

Dear White Oak Family,

As we once again move toward the Holiday Season—Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and finally New Year’s Day, I want to invite you to pause with me and reflect on just how good God has been to us over this past year. Before the calendars fill, before the to-do lists grow, before the rush of holiday activity surrounds us, there is a holy invitation to simply notice God’s goodness.

This past year has reminded many of us of the fragility and preciousness of life. We have celebrated joys, walked through grief, stood beside one another in sorrow and hope, and witnessed God’s faithfulness in countless ways. These moments, large and small call us back to gratitude. They remind us that every breath is a gift, every relationship a blessing, and every day an opportunity to love more deeply and fully.

1 Chronicles 29:13 in The Message translation gives us a beautiful starting point:
“And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.”

Gratitude is not just an emotion. It is a posture of the heart, a way of walking through the world with open eyes and open hands. When we begin the holiday season with thanksgiving, we prepare our souls to receive the deeper blessings ahead.

As we approach Advent and move toward Christmas, I encourage you to intentionally cultivate this spirit of thanksgiving. I truly believe that gratitude will expand your appreciation for the Christ of Christmas, deepen your joy in the coming season, and help you enter December with renewed wonder and peace.

When I pause to acknowledge all the blessings at White Oak, I am overwhelmed with the Love that God shows us daily. I find that when I strive for an attitude of gratitude, I find more Joy. This joy comes from the Hope that I have because of Christ Jesus and what Jesus has done for me, done for all of us. This

acknowledgement brings such a sense of Peace and an overwhelming feeling of Love. My prayer is for you and yours to not only live this life of gratitude but to embrace the Hope, Peace, and Joy of really knowing God.

May this November be a month of pausing, remembering, giving thanks, and recognizing God’s goodness in every step.

With gratitude and love,

Pastor Amy

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