Sometimes there are certain things that we say in a sermon that people just remember forever and ever. And we get reminded of those things on a regular basis. While I’d love to tell you it’s the beautiful way we unpacked a certain scripture passage, or the poignant way we brought light to a difficult personal situation in their lives, more often than not, it’s not. Usually it’s the times we made them laugh.

Just last Sunday I was reminded of the story I told when my van got stuck by the side of the road. People love to reference my nursing job (which I have never had, but Tracy once told someone I was a nurse so they WOULDN’T feel awkward once they learned I was a minister). And this coming Sunday, someone will likely mention my love of kielbasa.

In the first sermon I ever preached at UCG, I used the letters of the word “thanksgiving” to spell out things that I was thankful for. T was likely “theology with your sleeves rolled up” or something along those lines, but for the letter K I said, “Kielbasa.” And I’ve been receiving the occasional gift of sausages ever since.

This Sunday is Fellowship Sunday; a time when we encourage our whole church community to gather together and spend a little more time here, deepening our relationships and making a point to talk to people we may not know. And there will be SO much going on here- from the Children’s Christmas Pageant at the 9:15 am service to the Youth United Chili and Brat/Hot Dog Lunch fundraiser starting at 10:30, to another beautiful service at 11:15 am – that you won’t be hard pressed to have a great time. We hope you’ll come participate and be present to our family of faith. And come support our youth group! Who knows? Maybe you too will develop a love and appreciation for cased meats. Or, maybe just love the opportunity to laugh, to smile and be together during this festive Advent season.

Rev. Andy Bachmann