Thanksgiving brings fond memories for me. It has always been a family gathering point for the Kesslers. While I must admit we would gather around the dinner table or the TV to watch football, I will always remember my mother’s smile and my dad’s laughter around our gathering. We would always take time to say one thing for which we were thankful before we ate lunch. Over the years, we five boys grew from answers like our dog or our baseball glove to remembering friends or a special family member or even the price Jesus paid for our lives.
I guess Paul would have been good at the Thanksgiving table. When he was remembering his friends in Philippi, he shared with them, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6)
I am thankful for you as a church. 2008 has been a difficult year for you as a congregation, but you have kept the faith and continue the partnership that God has called you to. So I encourage you to claim the promise that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.
What are you thankful for this year?
Next week, we begin our celebration of Advent. It’s my favorite time of the year. We will celebrate together the coming of our Lord. I hope you will plan to be here each Sunday and Christmas Eve as we celebrate as a community. Invite a friend to join you for our celebrations.
I am thankful that the Lord has sent you to be a part of our church family during this difficult time. You are truly a blessing to us.
Posted by: Kim Bopp | November 24, 2008 at 07:39 PM