Scripture
– KJV
Ephesians
5:20 –
Giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Ephesians
1:3 –
Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Philippians
4:19 –
My
God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
Romans
12:15 –
Rejoice
with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
had planned to visit here last week, but when Jan was ill we put it off. It was
nice to know where we would be worshiping today. It has been a few years since
we were here; I remembered the parking lot and entry and not much else.
I did
see some signage and was able to find my way and I was happy to see the cross
on the stage.
The worship
area was set up with tables and chairs to facilitate a pot luck meal after the
service. I thought it was odd that half of the congregation would have their
backs to the stage and screens before I remembered there would have been a
screen for the praise team on the back wall.
The
praise team sounded pleasant together and it was enjoyable to hear songs I was
familiar with.
I was
welcomed and introduced to other members nearby.
The
sermon title for me could have been “What Possesses Me?” For a long time my god
was my tools and equipment, until God adjusted my perspective. I thought the
message developed easily for the congregation with plenty of Scripture
references. I noticed a lot of note-taking. Though the theme was give thanks
for all that God has given you at all times, it was interesting to include give
thanks for what He has not given you, especially what we deserve.
A
quote I liked: “If there is anything you want, let me know and I will come and
show you how to get along without it.” Another thought I liked was that we
should give thanks for what God has given others.
I
have been working on getting rid of things I no longer use, and each item that
leaves, there is a great peace that comes to me. Recently as I was walking to
the garage, I felt God guiding me to get rid of a lot more than I planned, and
with obedience, that great peace washed over me anew.
It
was a personal joy to watch a man signing to his wife during the service. It
brought back such pleasant memories of one of our daughters signing in church.
When our daughter signed the Lord’s Prayer, I had to step out to compose
myself, it was so powerful.
We
were glad to speak to the pastor and others after the service and to meet some
of the pastor’s family.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
visited this church only once before, about four years ago.
The
first thing I noticed this time was the abundance of youth, especially middle
school and high school ages. And they were involved handing out bulletins,
singing in the praise team, and I’m sure various other ways. It’s sad to note
this sort of involvement as out of the ordinary.
The
building had been a school before, and the worship area had been a gymnasium.
However I was unprepared for the way it was set up: three long rows of tables
with chairs on either side. It made great sense, though, when we learned everyone
would celebrate a congregational Thanksgiving meal immediately following
worship. And it made for an intriguing set up for the service.
A
number of folks greeted us, introducing themselves and taking the time for
conversation. We were invited a handful of times to stay for the brunch, but we
were forced to decline as we had other plans.
Given
the acoustics, I wondered if the music would be unbearably loud, but the volume
was perfect and the voices harmonious. One tidbit I thought was interesting was
one of the songs had a phrase that was repeated, and the first time that phrase
was sung the words were displayed in black, and in the repeat, they were in
purple. An interesting touch, I thought.
The
message, The Key to a Thankful Heart, spoke clearly about contentment, which he
defined as “an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward
circumstances.” He said contentment does not come from our spouse, our
possessions, our job, or anything else we have or don’t have…it comes from God
alone.
He
urged us to:
1
– count our blessings and be thankful for what God has given us;
2
– recognize there is a difference between needs and wants and be thankful for
what God has NOT given us;
3
– be thankful for what God has given others, and stop trying to keep up with
the Joneses.
He
said the most important key to happiness is not, “What do I possess?” The key
question is, “What possesses me?” An excellent question to ask ourselves,
especially at this time of the year.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray Your church here will praise You in all things, for what You bless them
with and what You withhold. Amen.
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