11.25.25
Another holiday season is upon us! I wanted to take a few moments to encourage you as we get ready to celebrate and remember. Take a few moments to look over the schedule of upcoming events for ways that you can engage in worship and fellowship leading into Christmas and New Years. I hope to see you as we reflect on what God has done in the fullness of time to bring redemption.
This Thursday, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a day where we are challenged to reflect on what we are thankful for. Some will gather with family and take turns going around the room with each person noting what they are thankful for. Maybe kids will color pictures of Turkeys and make feathers out of their fingers. Each feather bears something which that child is thankful for. Those notes of thankfulness will range from the truly reflective to the very basic. While it is certainly appropriate to consider thankfulness in these ways, we should all consider how we are thankful on every day that is not Thanksgiving.
Thankfulness for the believer should be more than just a seasonal remembrance. As we look at the Scripture we see that it constantly points us to the need for gratitude. Through the accounts of those of old who God delivered in miraculous ways, to the instruction of the manner of life that we see in other places, scripture points us to the truth that followers of Christ are people of thankfulness. We should consider our own salvation as a primary catalyst for thankfulness. When we do, we realize the ways in which the gospel transcends any circumstance in our life. Paul gives this instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Gratitude is a way of life for the believer. So, no matter the circumstances, gratitude is characteristic that should always be evident in us.
I am excited about this holiday season and our celebration of it at Parkview. I hope that you will make plans to be with us for all of the services in December. Make sure to note the schedule and plan for your involvement this Christmas. I look forward to seeing you there.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!
Pastor Chris
This Thursday, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a day where we are challenged to reflect on what we are thankful for. Some will gather with family and take turns going around the room with each person noting what they are thankful for. Maybe kids will color pictures of Turkeys and make feathers out of their fingers. Each feather bears something which that child is thankful for. Those notes of thankfulness will range from the truly reflective to the very basic. While it is certainly appropriate to consider thankfulness in these ways, we should all consider how we are thankful on every day that is not Thanksgiving.
Thankfulness for the believer should be more than just a seasonal remembrance. As we look at the Scripture we see that it constantly points us to the need for gratitude. Through the accounts of those of old who God delivered in miraculous ways, to the instruction of the manner of life that we see in other places, scripture points us to the truth that followers of Christ are people of thankfulness. We should consider our own salvation as a primary catalyst for thankfulness. When we do, we realize the ways in which the gospel transcends any circumstance in our life. Paul gives this instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Gratitude is a way of life for the believer. So, no matter the circumstances, gratitude is characteristic that should always be evident in us.
I am excited about this holiday season and our celebration of it at Parkview. I hope that you will make plans to be with us for all of the services in December. Make sure to note the schedule and plan for your involvement this Christmas. I look forward to seeing you there.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!
Pastor Chris