November 2024 - Saying Thanks
November brings our annual celebration of Thanksgiving. But our nature as Christians is that we are to be thankful always, not just once a year.
Matthew Henry reportedly made a diary entry the night after he was robbed as follows:
Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and forth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.
It is a wonderful example of what it means to be thankful in all things!
As I celebrate my 3rd year as the pastor of Unionville Church, there are many things for which I am thankful. This list is not all inclusive, but illustrative of those coming to my mind in this moment.
- I’m thankful for those who gather each week for rehearsal and then sing in the choir each Sunday.
- I’m thankful for those who lead our church in Christian Education to provide Sunday School Classes, book studies, Bible studies, Youth Group, and Kid’s Club.
- I’m thankful for those who sew quilts to reach out and wrap up persons in prayer and God’s love.
- I’m thankful for those who pray for this church, our mission and vision, and our leadership each week.
- I’m thankful for those who are Greeters each Sunday to welcome others to the church as they give them a bulletin.
- I’m thankful for those who donate food and funds for the food pantry.
- I’m thankful for those who pack and distribute bags of food to share those in need.
- I’m thankful for those who attend worship, Sunday School, studies, and other activities of the church.
- I’m thankful for those who participate in Family Service Nights as we learn about and help local missions.
- I’m thankful for those who donate items for VBS, who help decorate, who take on roles to make Vacation Bible School, and for those who come as attendees.
- I’m thankful for those who donate funds and items to disaster relief through UMCOR, Vacation Bible School (VBS) mission emphasis, Trick or Treat Trail, Bibles for Prisoners, Harvest Home, Operation Christmas Child, Giving Tree, and a variety of other ministries.
- I’m thankful for those who make sure Communion is set-up, paraments and banners are changed, and a variety of other worship preparations are made.
- I’m thankful for those who prepare and serve meals.
- I’m thankful for those who change lightbulbs, repair broken things, and see to the care of our building.
- I’m thankful for those who give financially to support our ministries.
- I’m thankful for those who serve on committees and take leadership positions.
- I’m thankful for those who read the scriptures and spend time in prayer not only for themselves but for the needs of others.
- I’m thankful for those that write greeting cards, make phone calls, and visit those who are sick, lonely, or grieving.
- I’m thankful for those who communicate our ministries to the community.
- I’m thankful for those who faithfully give their time, talent, and treasure that we may be the church together.
And I’m only scraping the surface, because so many areas listed above include a lot of different people doing a lot of different things. This list is not an all inclusive, but illustrative of who we are, how we have been blessed by God, and how we are seeking to be a blessing to our community.
- I’m thankful for those who pray for me and have patience for an imperfect pastor ministering with an imperfect people in an imperfect world.
- I’m thankful for a perfect God who in perfect time sent a perfect Son as a perfect gift, a gift that keeps on giving through a perfect Holy Spirit.
- And I am thankful for you!
We have much to give thanks for.
Be the Church!
Blessings!
Alan
