A Thanksgiving ‘Attitude of Gratitude’
As we prepare to celebrate another Thanksgiving, I find myself overcome with gratitude. I have been greatly blessed in so many ways throughout my life, and having the opportunity to serve as your pastor at Oak Chapel has been the ultimate capstone experience.
Your kindness, gentleness, selflessness, generosity, and desire to serve the Lord by serving others is heartwarming and inspiring. I am so grateful for each of you and thankful for your many benevolent acts, including your incredibly thoughtful gift to me at our Fellowship Dinner this past Sunday and your wonderful prayerful support during my recent surgery.
When I describe our faithful congregation, I could easily quote II Corinthians (3-5,7), which states, “For I testify that [you give] as much as [you are] able, and even beyond [your] ability. Entirely on [your] own, [you] urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And [you] exceeded [our] expectations: [you] gave [yourself] first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us… But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
You do, indeed, excel in all phases of discipleship, including your many contributions of time and talent, and you are to be commended for all you do. In addition, your financial generosity is exemplary! In all the ways that you give, you do so with a joyful heart, and that certainly does not go unnoticed. I am confident that your “attitude of gratitude” is a reflection of your happiness, hopefulness, and faithfulness. I am especially thankful for you this Thanksgiving…and throughout the entire year. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed me and our church.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor John