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From Intern Beth…

As we quickly approach Advent and look to begin another church year, I feel so beyond blessed to experience the joyous life, welcoming presence, and work of God within this St. Paul community. I am deeply thankful for the many ways that you all work to shape my faith and nurture my call in ministry. Thank you to the confirmation students for welcoming me on the retreat and allowing me to learn alongside you all. Thank you to Erin Otte and the Baker family for watching my pup, Bowman, while I was out of town. Thank you Trish for the new plant. Thanks to the prayer shawl group for showing me a new way to slow down and pray and to Connie for the crocheting kit. 

As I reflect over this past month, I especially felt God’s work and love and generosity present in the harvest dinner. While many had talked about the dinner, I was still amazed at the whole operation of everything and how smoothly it went as people began filling up the fellowship hall. Throughout the day, I was reminded of 1 Kings 17:8-16 where we hear a story of God providing through unexpected generosity. 

In 1 Kings, we meet a widow who has just barely enough food left to fed her and her son one more meal. But God sends someone to tell her that the jar of food will not empty and her oil will not fail. As she prepares the food in the way God told her, she had enough food to feed her household for days. As I came into the church the morning of the Bazaar, the smell of noodles and mashed potatoes cooking already filled the air. Then as the day pushed on people began bringing in more and more bits of food. A crockpot of green beans from one family, two pies baked by another, a couple turkeys cooked by someone accompanied by dressing to fill up plates. Slowly the meal came together and there was an overabundance of food for all to enjoy. Just as God had used the little food the widow had to feed her household for days, so we also were able to use the little bits of food we all contributed to feed hundreds of people that evening. While our food may have ran out near the end of the night, the generosity and love that was on display and cooked into the meal, emphasized God’s presence for me throughout the day. As we move into other meals spent with family and friends throughout the holiday season, I invite us all to see the ways that God has and is abundantly providing for us.