"We Will Give Thanks!"

Thanksgiving is a few days away and this year presents many challenges. In past years, there was no need to think about how we were going to celebrate the day. For those fortunate enough to be able to have their need for food, clothing, and shelter met, the typical scenario includes gathering together in groups of various sizes around a table overflowing with delicious delicacies. Thanksgiving was seen as one of the times during the year when we gave ourselves permission to overindulge. It is also a time of reflection where for some families the tradition is going around the table sharing reasons to be thankful. This year we can still overindulge except we have to make a conscious decision about with whom we will eat and how many people will be a part of the celebration. State governors and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are strongly recommending celebrations be numerically toned down in order to curtail the ongoing spread of the corona virus. The unwelcome interruption in our typical Thanksgiving traditions have prompted some people to question for what reason are we to be thankful? 

The "Great Hallel"

In Psalm 136, we find what is called a litany of thanksgiving. Psalm 136 is known as the "Great Hallel." The word "hallel" is from the Hebrew meaning "to praise." The structure of Psalm 136 is what's called an antiphon which is a chant set to music, typically recited by two groups. The Psalm recalls the beloved history and culture of the Israelites and God's faithfulness to His people. The repetition of the response "His love endures forever" is a call to the audience  to join and affirm what the Psalmist has composed. The call and response was most likely used as part of a worship service. Despite the current situation we are living through, there's always a reason to give thanks, especially to the Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore, I recommend consideration of starting a new tradition this year. No matter how many people are present at the table, we can focus on engaging in our own "Great Hallel" wherein one person serves as the "worship leader" and those gathered respond with affirmation. The following is an example:

Praise the Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.

We will give thanks!

From the rising of the sun until its going down.

We will give thanks!

For every breath and every heart beat.

We will give thanks!

For our frontline workers who are sacrificing every day.

We will give thanks!

For our government officials who are making the hard choices for our well-being.

We will give thanks!

For the gift of relationship.

We will give thanks!

For God so loving the world that He sent His only Son to save us.

We will give thanks!

For Jesus' resurrection which has conquered sin and death.

We will give thanks!

For God's promise that He will never leave or forsake us even in the darkest times.

We will give thanks!

For anticipation of the day of Jesus' return.

We will give thanks!

Praise the Lord, whose love endures forever.

We will give thanks!

No matter how long or short your personal "Great Hallel" may be, there's many things for which to be thankful. May God bless and keep you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving Day and bring comfort to those who are suffering and have experienced loss this year.

Pastor Sheree

Forever Grateful

"I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:1-3 NIV)

We have come yet again to another Thanksgiving season. At this time of year there is a special emphasis on being grateful or giving thanks. How many of us have grown up with the tradition of going around the family table and declaring the reason we are thankful? While it is important to acknowledge our gratitude for many things, let us not forget that giving thanks is not reserved for one special time of the year. As the psalmist declares in Psalm 34, we are to extol the Lord at all times, for it is the Lord who is the giver of all good and gracious gifts (James 1:17) My prayer this Thanksgiving is that we will awaken everyday with gratitude in our hearts and will forever praise the One who has given us the greatest reason to be thankful--Jesus.

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all!
Pastor Sheree

A Thanksgiving Prayer

In this world of hate and strife,

We give You thanks our God for life!

We pray dear Lord that You will heal,

And make your presence known and real,

To those who cry to You for peace,

That dissension on our earth will cease.

So as we gather for our meal,

We pray our hearts with love you'll seal.

Remind us of the folks in need,

And keep us Lord from willful greed.

To you, Oh God our hands we lift,

With thanks for every perfect gift,

That flows from heaven up above,

Made perfect in the Savior's love.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Pastor Sheree

Be Thankful!

When I was a child I was taught that I needed to say "thank you" for any gift that I had received from another person. Furthermore, if it was a close relative I would have to send them a "thank you" note. If someone performed a nice gesture towards me, that would require another verbal response of "thank you." I have noticed that nowadays the word "thank you" is rarely heard and it is considered odd and even old fashioned to send someone a "thank you" note. It is just taken for granted that one is grateful and no words need to be spoken. When I say "thank you" to someone for a kind gesture, at times I have noticed varied reactions from utter shock and disbelief to a smile of delight that there are still folks that demonstrate some manners. It seems when Thanksgiving rolls around, that is the time that you here the word "thank you" uttered by everyone as a response to "I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving." There are even Thanksgiving cards that people purchase and send to friends and loved ones. The question is why do we set aside one day out of the year to be openly thankful? Is there not more we can be thankful for every day of the year? The Bible's response is a resounding "YES!" and God sets the expectation for us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we read, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Give Thanks

In the Greek the words, "give thanks" are in the present tense. The present tense indicates a continuous action. Paul is in essence commanding us to continually give thanks in all circumstances. Some may struggle with the idea of giving thanks in certain situations and under certain circumstances. Many times we tend to overlook the word "in" and substitute the word "for" in this verse. Paul is not suggesting that we need to be thankful for people suffering, starving, being unemployed, or whatever tragic situation an individual may experience. Paul is trying to communicate that in those desperate situations we can still foster an attitude of thanksgiving because our God is with us. He sees, He hears, and He cares about what is going on in our lives. Although the outcomes may not be what we desire or expect, God has promised that there will be a day when all the wrongs will be made right. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4 NIV) 

Jesus knows our suffering

We have that guarantee because Jesus Christ knows our suffering and He died and rose again so that sickness, suffering, and even death do not have the last word in this world. Paul tells us that rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks on an ongoing basis is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. God's will is always for our good and His glory and is never meant to punish or harm. 

We are the recipients of many blessings

 Although every individual's situation is different and our struggles varied, we can never exhaust the list of things to be thankful for because we are the recipients of many blessings. I pray that we will not relegate thanksgiving to one day but seek every day to find something for which we can give thanks no matter how great or small, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary for James reminds us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17 NIV)

May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!
Pastor Sheree