What a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner we shared as a church family last Sunday night! I want to express appreciation to everyone involved in the planning, preparing, cooking, and cleaning. (Some of you worked very hard at eating, too!) I also appreciate those who brought friends and guests! As I looked out over the crowd, I was reminded of what the Bible says about the early church in Acts 2:42: “They were continually devoting themselves . . . to fellowship, to the breaking of bread . . .” How wonderful it was to break bread with the brethren!

On Sunday, we turn our attention toward a question many have asked in recent days. How can we conduct ourselves as good citizens under a bad government? This is not a new question. Christians have wrestled with this since Jesus ascended. So we’ll turn our attention toward 1 Peter 2, one of the passages in the Bible that gives us a clear answer.

As we approach year-end, help us to end the year on a strong financial note. You may want to consider year-end giving in the form of appreciated stocks. A charitable gift of appreciated stock provides you with tax advantages. (Please be sure to consult a tax advisor before making any decision.)

Pastor Nathan has created our new website at westhaven.church. Notice that you can order some West Haven “Gear”, i.e. clothing. The order has to be placed by Dec. 12. We hope you’ll consider representing West Haven around town in some West Haven “swag!”

We will begin a partnership with Compassion International and a church in Nicaragua at the start of the next year. We’ll have the opportunity to sponsor several children. By our giving and praying, impoverished children will be fed, clothed, cared for, and given the gospel. This is a blessed opportunity to serve our Lord. All ages can participate.

This is the last week to register for our first ‘Christ & Coffee’! I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m.! At each ‘Christ & Coffee’ event, we will learn about “Specialty Coffee”, and also open God’s Word for a time of study and discussion. We’ll enjoy a single coffee prepared by four popular brew methods: auto drip, manual pour-over, french press, and cold brew! We’ll note the flavor characteristics of each brew method, and discuss why the various brew methods extract different flavor profiles. We’ll also open up God’s Word and discuss how coffee can ultimately be used and consumed to the glory of Christ. We’ll collect a free-will offering to help cover the cost of the event, but please do not let this discourage you from attending! Everybody is invited, though registration is required!