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Some thoughts about Thanksgiving
The season of Thanksgiving is upon us! For
many people in our nation this season is remembered for one day; the story
of the Pilgrims may be shared, but for many Americans it is a day of
feasting and watching football.
I too, will probably be feasting and
watching football. However, as I take time to consider the origin of this
holiday I must necessarily take time to stop, pray and meditate. When I do
that and remember the hardships endured by the Pilgrims who celebrated the
first Thanksgiving holiday in America, I am led to say an extra prayer of
thanks to God for the many blessings I have and for God’s providential care
in my life.
Here is an ancient prayer of thanks made by
the apostle Paul.
2
We always give thanks to God for all of you
and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before
our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
[1]
(1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
Paul addressed those words to members of the
church in Thessalonica, a city where Paul and his companion, Silas, were not
well received (you can read the story in Acts 17). Yet in the midst of sharp
dispute and outright violence Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel. Many people
heard and believed, and God’s good news of peace and reconciliation through
Jesus was brought to Europe. Surely a cause for thanksgiving!
In serving as your pastor I remember at St.
John’s births and deaths, marriages and divorces, unity and division, times
of feast and famine. Through all these times, good and not so good, you have
stayed focused on Christ and your mission as Jesus Christ’s disciples. Or as
Paul put it, “your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore, this year at Thanksgiving I give
special thanks for you in my life, in fact I “always give thanks to God
for all of you and mention you in [my] prayers, constantly 3
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love
and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
May God continue to bless and protect you in
Christ Jesus our Lord. May you have a truly blessed Thanksgiving with people
you love.
Still In One Peace ~ pastor john
[1]The
Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 . Thomas
Nelson: Nashville
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