“And God be praised we had a good increase… And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
Edward Winslow 1621 (recounting America’s 1st Thanksgiving)
When is the last time you really thanked God?
I’m not referring to a nonchalant nod or the obligatory sharing of thanks for something good that happened. I’m talking about the deep-felt gratitude that happens when we fully submit to the Holy Spirit and truly ponder God’s impact on our life as we pause to earnestly pray. It’s the kind of appreciation that occurs when we peel back the disappointments, the setbacks, and the sins and reveal our hearts wide open to God. Whether we sit quietly in meditation, or we are on our knees in submission, take time to ponder how fully God must love you to be able to look beyond all of your shortcomings, scars, and sins. Our bodies will tremble with reverence for what God has done in our life. Our eyes will well up with tears of remembrance. Inner peace and healing grace will begin to seep into our hearts and clearly remind us whose we are.
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 6-7 (NRSV)
Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever, we give you thanks for all the gifts you have bestowed upon us. Amen.
At nearly 400 years old, the American custom of “Thanksgiving Day” has evolved over the years into this cultural iconic celebration beginning on a Thursday extending to four days of family and food. We begin to prepare weeks ahead by procuring our food and ingredients to cook the biggest meal of the year. The treasured family recipes and fond memories are shared with all. We can thank Sarah Josepha Hale’s (https://bwht.org/sarah-josepha-hale/) foresight for a day of national unity. Sarah was an influential editor of a women’s magazine who persevered from 1827 until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln finally declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Surprisingly, even the president’s declaration of this holiday had to be voted on each year. In 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt, through a favorable vote from congress, permanently established the 4th Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.
How do you celebrate Thanksgiving Day? What are some of your favorite memories or family stories or tastiest dishes? Who can you thank for that?
A day of Thanksgiving was more like weeks of celebrations of gratitude in the old testament days. In our Grand Sweep readings, we find a multitude of mentions of harvest festivals.
“You shall observe the festival of harvest, of the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the festival of ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.”
Exodus 23:16 (NRSV)
For those in Biblical times, the harvest was an important and life sustaining event. The gathering of things planted and sown reaped sustenance and joy for the bounty. The planter fully knew that much faith in God was needed to reap a worthy crop. Our society has evolved from an agrarian life, yet we depend on the harvest to be bountiful to sustain us each day.
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (NRSV)
Food for the soul makes us well. Prayer in the Spirit makes us grateful. Giving heartfelt thanks is a hallmark of a Christian.
Be especially thankful for all the ingredients of this year’s Thanksgiving meal. This year has been an extremely difficult year for the supply chain to grow, process and package the food we may take for granted. Many of these good folks worked long and hard battling the same COVID-19 challenges you and I faced, yet we counted on them to persevere and provide us with sustenance this year. Whether a farmer, a processor, a packager, a driver, or a grocery store worker we owe them all a debt of gratitude for keeping the flow of food moving from field to table. As you gather for your Thanksgiving meal remember these good people and their families.
“Giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20 (NRSV)
Amid this tumultuous year our God encourages us to remain steadfast in hope, faith, and love. While food is the center of Thanksgiving Day, we recall those who made a difference in our lives this year. We have so much to be in gratitude for despite a challenging year.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)
God delights when his people’s hearts are full of thanksgiving. Our lives rooted in foundational faith sustain us in lean times. No blessings are overlooked.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your livesin him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 (NRSV)
We are forever indebted to the staff and lay people who continued giving time and effort to bringing church and small group studies to our homes via livestream/online while never missing a Sunday. We are thankful for the WLC staff and leaders for continuing to provide foundational Christian education. We are grateful for the loyalty and support of our congregation of AUMCers who continued giving of time, talent, and resources to the church all while facing personal, financial, and health uncertainties. We are thankful for our government officials who intervened with much needed payroll funds to keep our church open and pay wages for both WLC and church staff. AUMCers have much to give praise for this year.
What are you thankful for? Who needs to hear your words of gratitude?
“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel. And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”
Ezra 3:11 (NRSV)
God told the Israelites to always share in the reaping of the harvest. As Christians we are also called to look out for others in our community. Please consider participating in our HAAM Empty Stocking Christmas Drive or our HAAM Community Food Fair. Keep those less fortunate in your prayers and actions during this holiday season.
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 23:22 (NRSV)
Hear the good news! We know that our Lord opens the gates to His kingdom for those who delight in His word, those who live in righteousness, those who are grateful for all things, and those who remember their salvation. His mercies are the gleanings that sustain us. Our salvation sets our hearts in the right place to be truly thankful for all that we have which is much more than we could ever deserve. When we are grateful for His grace in our life, we are obliged to sing praises to our God and tell of his wonderous deeds to all. When we look out for our fellow man, we partake in the harvest of the heart that reaps hope, peace, joy, and love. Every passing moment on this earth is a gift. Your sacred life means so much to God that He gave His one and only son, Jesus, for your salvation. His words planted in your heart have sustained your life here now and the life to come. Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God!
How will you honor your gifts for the glory of God? How will you remember those in need?
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NRSV)
Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader
Blessed are you, O Lord God, for you give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Give us grateful hearts for all your blessings, and make use mindful of the needs of others, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!