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)

Dear Church, as is now traditional for Thanksgiving Day, we remind ourselves of what is most important by repeating what we have already drawn attention to in the past.

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 ingratitude 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!

A request from elders: Dear Church, if you are sick or know of someone who is sick and cannot attend services and be in fellowship with other believers, please let us know so we can visit them.

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine:

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18