| Advent has always been a favorite time of the year for many people because it indicates that Christmas is right around the corner. However, it can be a very stressful time of the year due to the increase of events tied to the season. In addition, there are supply chain shortages, trials & verdicts, new Covid variants, high death rates, joblessness, workers who are over-worked, violence, crime, the widening gap between the haves and have nots, congressional struggles, gas prices, inflation, China, and Iâm sure there are a few other things on the docket according to the latest news headlines. In any season those news events would be enough but are intensified due to the hectic season. The best response to any societal malaise is gratitude. Gratitude is a light to any darkness. Anchored in grace, gratitude is other-directed. Even those outside of the Church have witnessed the benefits of gratitude. The gurus on this topic are two professors: Robert Edmunds (University of California) and Michael McCullough (University of Miami). They asked people to keep a Gratitude Journal for at least a month. Here is what they found from their studies: Those who kept the journal experienced: Enhanced Well-Being where people experienced a better quality of life. Deeper Relationships where the bonds of friendship were strengthened, and they felt more loved and cared for by others. Greater Happiness where they felt more joy, comfort, and harmony. They had less pain and more energy. Better Self Control where they reacted in anger less because they felt more at peace. Spiritual Growth where their faith matured. Followers of Christ shouldnât be surprised by their findings. Christians are people of grace that find expression in gratitude. If you find yourself in a place where you have forgotten the power of grace, begin your Gratitude Journal today.   This Week’s Readings: * Monday – John 12 | John 13 | John 14 * Tuesday – John 15 | John 16 | John 17 | John 18 * Wednesday- John 19 | John 20 | John 21 *Thursday – 1 John 1 | 1 John 2 | 1 John 3 | 1 John 4 | 1 John 5 * Friday-  2 John 1-13 | 3 John 1-15 Please Pray for: ⢠An end to the Covid Crisis. ⢠Our children as they cope with world issues. ⢠All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. ⢠Families in crisis. ⢠Loved ones battling illness. ⢠Those seeking to find their way. ⢠The St. Paul Church family. ⢠The United Methodist Church family. ⢠Our leaders, our country, and our world. |
| âDonât worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.â – Philippians 4:6 |