Redeemer East Side Update

Leaves

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I am reminded of a quote I came across in my reading that stopped me in my tracks. The economist Bob Goudzwaard writes: “It is in knowing the meaning of enough that we receive a sense of abundance, for abundance is the awareness of having more than enough." Take a moment and read that again. It is a quote that rattled around in my soul for days.

Now, if the author is right, then our modern impulse towards constant consumption, which stokes our desire for more, is actually inherently incapable of delivering the abundance that it seems to promise. Instead, it is in embracing a lifestyle of “enough” that makes this sense of abundance possible.

This is, in part, why we take a special offering in November to support the work of our mercy ministry. It is a reminder to ourselves of our astounding abundance, and an opportunity to give to those in our church community who may find themselves struggling to get even just enough. It’s not too late to give to our Mercy Fund offering.

During this Thanksgiving season, take some time to reflect on the meaning of enough in your life. What is enough? What does a lifestyle of enough look like? How would that look different from your peers? Do your desires need to be recalibrated, away from the allure of more and toward the simplicity of enough?

Consider these questions prayerfully, and then give thanks to the God who gave us so more than just what we needed. Yet, when we needed the gift of his one and only Son, he even gave him up for us. It’s an abundance of grace that would make any of us say “Enough!” Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmly,

Rev. Abraham Cho
East Side Senior Pastor



+ Join us for our Lessons and Carols services on December 17 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

+ Give to HFNY's His Toy Store by November 27 to stock 12 pop-up stores with new toys for 1,960 local families with limited financial resources.

+ Families, register for Christmas Discovery on December 2!

+ This is the last week for elder and deek recommendations

+ Looking for a fun volunteer opportunity? Explore Christmas in a whole new way! 71 volunteers needed for Christmas Discovery, December 2.

+ Join the Center for Faith & Work for The Art of Storytelling & Public Speaking in Business on December 11!

+ Help set up for HFNY's His Toy Store for families in need at The Bowery Mission Hope Center in East Harlem.

+ Serve as mentor at Expect Hope through HFNY starting in January to meet weekly with new and expectant moms in the Bronx.