Thanksgiving Eve - Giving Thanks
Church Family,
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday I want to take moment to express my gratitude. This year has not been what any of us expected, but we have so much to be thankful for. Through all the ups and downs of the year we have continued to see and experience God's provision and care - even when they came in ways that we may not have planned or expected.
As I have thanked God for each of you this week, I have been ever mindful of the deep longing I have to be with all of you in person. To shake your hand, to give you a hug and to sing, pray and read the Scriptures with you face to face. This desire is greater than it has ever been and I feel the affects of having not been with so many of you for so long. But even still I am thankful.
I am thankful for the technology that has enabled us to stay connected until we can all be together in person again.
I am thankful that God continues to bind us together in love and unity even when we cannot be together physically. I trust that when this season is over we will have a greater love and appreciation for what it means to gather together. In this way it is a gift.
I am thankful for how God is using this season to grow us more and more into the people and church that He would have us to be.
Above all I rejoice in knowing that my sins are forgiven, I am reconciled to God through Christ and I have the hope of eternal joy.
I hope you will take time over the next couple of days to reflect on the ways that God has shown His faithfulness to you this year. Above all, I hope you will remember the mercy and grace that you have been shown in Christ and the great privilege you have of being in the safe care of God the Father.
I also hope you will take time to reach out to other members of the church and let them know that you are thankful for them. Many are are having a 'different than normal' thanksgiving and I'm sure we would all benefit from hearing from one another.
If you are feeling alone this week, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone in the church. God has brought us together for days and seasons like this.
You are loved and I am thankful for you,
Matthew
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