Thanksgiving
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” (1 Cor. 1:4)
1. Thanksgiving table
Thanksgiving is a special time for many to gather and thank God for all the blessings and mercies in our lives, and most of you will be gathering at the dinner table with friends and relatives. For many this has already become a tradition, to invite brothers and sisters from the church who would perhaps have no one else to celebrate the holiday with. How wonderful would it be if no one would be left without attention and fellowship with good people this Thursday! Consider this and show attention to those who don’t have relatives or have perhaps recently immigrated here. This would be a true celebration for them!
2. Thanksgiving questions
In order to keep the time at the table effective, here are a few questions that you can use:
- What does it mean to be thankful?
- Give 2 biblical examples of thankful people.
- How does unthankfulness look like?
- Give 2 biblical examples of unthankful people.
- Evaluate yourself, on a scale of 1 to 10, how thankful are you?
- Share why you gave yourself this grade.
- What helps you be thankful?
- Share 3 things for which you are most thankful.
- Remember the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19.
You can, of course, use your own questions, but we encourage you to have a biblical discussion on the topic of a thankful heart at the dinner table.
3. Thanksgiving giving
Once again, we remind you that once a year on Thanksgiving, we collect the entire budget for the Benevolence Fund. This past year, a group of brothers who are responsible for the distribution of the funds were able to give concrete help to many members of our church. They’ll give a short account of their work this Thursday. May God bless you in your care of brothers and sisters in need!
4. Thanksgiving testimonies
According to tradition, this Thursday during our meeting we will have an open mic to share with each other what we’re grateful for to God. So that your gratitude was based on something, take some time today to really think about what you’re grateful for. Especially thank the Lord for His spiritual lessons! It’s wonderful when we have specific things in our spiritual and physical lives for which we’re grateful to our Creator. It’s always encouraging to the church when we hear our brothers and sisters share about how God is working in their lives. We really hope that this year also God will be praised and we will be edified through your testimonies at our meeting and at your dinner tables!
Announcements
Scripture To Memorize
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
Upcoming Services and Meetings
- Wednesday (7:00 PM) – Thanksgiving Service (English)
- Thursday (10:00 AM) – Thanksgiving Service (Russian)
- Saturday (8:00 – 9:30 AM) – Men’s prayer breakfast
- Sunday services:
- Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM