Thankful for You

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friends – first and foremost, I want you to know that I am thankful for you!

To steal from the series we’ve just finished, you are so very Generous and to be a part of a community marked by that in this world is tremendous.  We’ve heard story after story of your generosity, and I’ve shared way after way of how you continue that generosity.  You look at the world around you with open arms and invite them in to experience safety, joy and peace, to encounter Christ and to find healing – whether it be through regular worship services on Sunday or our five recovery groups throughout the week, or as hosts of the Ministerial Association’s Food Pantry, Toy Chest and Free Thanksgiving Dinner (from 12p-2p on Thanksgiving Day).

You are generous with your time – in all the ways you serve and volunteer to enable this church to grow and thrive, making more and more room for more and more people.  And you are patient, trusting in God’s often slow work – both for you and for them – that we, together, are being formed into the image of Christ in God’s time.

You are generous with your talents – trying new things, willing to do what feels uncomfortable, risky even – because you know that you have absolutely nothing to lose.  Your life is hidden in Christ, and so you have nothing to fear.  You bring your talents, you grow your talents, in service of Christ and others, following in a line of Christians dating back 250 years in this place.

You are generous with your treasure too – certainly your financial treasure through your regular giving, but also with everything you treasure – planting seeds widely, and trusting God to bear fruit that exceeds your giving away.  You know that that the true value of anything we hold dear, is only realized once we give it away.  You demonstrate that on a regular basis.

For your generosity in these areas and so much more, I’m truly and deeply Thankful for you!

And all of that thankfulness, as does all of your generosity, has its roots, its base, Jesus.  We are generous because God is generous.  And I am thankful because all of this – all your generosity, all your goodness, is ultimately a gift from God, and expression of God’s love.

I’m grateful that I can be a part of a community that not only says this, but believes this, by their, by your actions.

And in these next few days – I pray that you would enjoy the overwhelming grace of Jesus, that you too, would feel thankful, as I am thankful, for this community that we are a part of.  I pray that you would find rest for your body, mind, heart and soul.  That you would find community around the table, whatever table you gather at.  And I look forward to joining you in worship on Sunday, November 30, as we begin the Advent season together, in hope.

One final note – while we’re hosting the Thanksgiving Dinner, our office is not open on Thanksgiving or on Friday, nor is the Daycare.  Both will resume normal operating hours on Monday, December 1.  But if you have an emergency pastoral care concern, please feel free to reach out to me.

I’m deeply thankful for you all, as we continue…

Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus,

Pastor Don