Good morning church family,
We remain grateful for each one of you!
GIVING THANKS:
* Mildred Perkins was touched by everyone's calls and many cards which were sent for her birthday. She was in the hospital a week prior, and home recuperating now and doing better. She sends her love to all and said she appreciates your prayers for her. She misses everyone!
* Thanks to the Wilsons for organizing the FUN Trunk or Treat event on Friday night! Here are some pictures to share…no doubt the adults had MORE fun than the kids.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Continued prayers for all in the Middle East
* Ashley Stephens requested prayers for London's classmate Austin who is 4 years old, his Mother Natasha Ramos passed away unexpectedly this week. Our prayers are with Austin and the whole family during this difficult time.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Ruiz family on the birth of Daniel's son Levi Lorenzo Ruis-Theis who arrived Friday at 12:19 p.m. 7lbs 10oz. All are doing well. An added bonus is that Levi shares his birthday with his Aunt Nuris both born on November 3rd! Here are some photos to share.
REMINDERS:
* Remember to turn your clocks back TONIGHT for Daylight Savings Time tonight. We Gain an hour!
BENEVOLENCE:
* Our food pantry at the building could use some re-stocking. If anyone has interest in providing non-perishable food, pasta, soups, etc. Please leave it in a bag marked TRUMBULL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY or bring directly to Room #2.
* Remember our commitment to SPOONER HOUSE with non-perishable foods. Deliveries can be made directly to their center 24-7 as well. Thanks to all who continue to support this effort.
NOVEMBER EVENTS:
* LADIES NIGHT OUT – Friday November 10th at 6:00 p.m.. Old Towne Restaurant in Trumbull. Please RSVP to Lisa Saracino if you are able to come. So far there are 17 ladies coming which is great news! Thanks to Lisa for organizing this.
* On Saturday, November 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the church building Nadine Keller will be leading the ladies Bible study …“Remember who HE IS” as we study the book of Exodus.
* The next two Tuesday morning LADIES BIBLE STUDIES will be on November 14th & 28th at 9:30. watch for the zoom link. Lisa and Mary Lou are leading this great study on the book of James.
* MANCHESTER YOUTH RALLY:
Next weekend is the annual Manchester Youth Rally November 10th through 12th.
Below is a link to a video promo from the keynote speaker to help with last minute registrations.
We are down to the wire and want every opportunity for YOUR youth group to register for this spiritual “mountain top” weekend, starting next Friday, Nov 10 and running through Sunday, Nov 12. I have attached a flyer as well to assure you have materials needed to hand out as needed as well.
Randall Colson, the Manchester youth minister, will be following up early next week to help and answer any questions you may have about the rally. You may also call me anytime, as needed.
Thank you!
Ed Main
on behalf of the Manchester Youth Rally steering team
817-808-4098 mobile
Video link online:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b80g8pntRthC4yTRETskHur9M3xPLNFD/view?usp=drive_link
COMING UP IN DECEMBER:
* Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 AM LADIES BIBLE STUDY at the church building. Flo Repecko will lead the study “Remember your strength” as we continue the study in the book of Exodus.
* Tuesday, December 12th at 9:30 a.m. will be the last Ladies morning Bible class via zoom for the month of December as they will take a break for the holiday.
This month we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. The holiday of Thanksgiving is a simple one where we gather with family and friends around a bountiful table, giving thanks. This holiday is when we take time to acknowledge all we have, and to be thankful. To see the images of war and poverty throughout the world, we are even more thankful for what we have here in the United States of America.
Practicing Gratitude takes Thanksgiving to a whole other level though. Gratitude in action should be something we implement every day of the year and always. Our actions should reflect our gratitude in all we say, and do.
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness.
'Gratitude' is an action word. To have gratitude means that not only do you express thankfulness, but you also show appreciation and share gratefulness through how you treat others and the world around you.
Expressing gratitude brings about joy and blessings inwardly for the one giving thanks, but also praises our Father in Heaven.
Our Faith and having an attitude of gratitude, go hand-in-hand.
Many many studies have been done on the link between gratitude and joy. Too many to include here, but having and expressing gratitude, strengthens relationships, brings physical and emotional wellness, and good things all around. Rather than mumbling or grumbling, having an attitude of gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, cherish good experiences, improve health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Serving others with 'faith-in-motion' is what we do, and who we are as Christians.
God's word encourages us to put gratitude in action. To be grateful to GOD for all of our blessings, in good times and bad. Gratitude to the Father unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meager meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude in action, praises God, and comes back in blessings beyond compare.
Throughout the Psalms we read of David's gratitude to God in words, and deed.
Psalm 7:17
“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His Righteousness;
I will sing the Praises of the name of the LORD most high.”
Psalm 34:2-10
“I will praise the Lord at all times;
my mouth will continually praise him.
I will boast in the Lord;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice.
Magnify the Lord with me.
Let us praise his name together.
I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant;
do not let your faces be ashamed.
This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;
he saved him from all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord camps around
the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him.
Fear the Lord, you chosen people of his,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 95:1-9
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.
Let us shout out praises to our Protector who delivers us.
Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us shout out to him in celebration.
For the Lord is a great God,
a great king who is superior to all gods.
The depths of the earth are in his hand,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down and worship.
Let us kneel before the Lord, our Creator.
For he is our God;
we are the people of his pasture,
the sheep he owns.”
Here are a few additional examples of people in the scriptures who put gratitude in ACTION…and note the blessings that came as a result!
DANIEL was a devout follower of the Lord who was taken into Babylon's captivity. The King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all people to worship the golden image he had created and he made it illegal for anyone to worship any “god” outside his own. Daniel and his friends went against the King's orders and chose to remain faithful to the Lord, by praying to God and giving thanks. Three times a day he got down on his knees to pray to give thanks to God, no matter how illegal or what the decree was. He risked his life and knew he could be sentenced to prison or death by obeying the one true GOD .
In Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel remained loyal and thankful to the LORD, even though he was thrown into the Lions den.
God saw the gratitude, thankfulness, and faithfulness in Daniel's heart and he sent an angel to close the mouth of the Lion
Daniel 6:22 “My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the Lions“.
PAUL understood what it meant to be saved by God's grace. He had persecuted Christians as we read in Acts Chapter 9. Yet God chose him to save the Lost. After he was blinded by Jesus, who got his full attention, he became so thankful that God saved him. His gratitude was shown throughout the remainder of his life as he dedicated his life to preaching and teaching God's word. It was because of Paul's sincere gratitude for God's mercy on his life, that he lived thankfully, whether he was beaten, thrown in prison, being ship-wrecked or what! How is this possible? He looked beyond this life, to the next. He was eternally grateful that his sin was forgiven through Jesus's death on the cross and no matter what he endured, he found JOY in the LORD.
1 Timothy 1:13 “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.“
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Always be Joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
JOSEPH chose to focus on God's love rather than his hardship. Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel and the apple of his father's eye. He received his coat of many colors causing his brothers to become angry and jealous, so they plotted to kill Joseph. The brother's ultimately sold him into slavery, where he was thrown into prison for 13 years. But even though Joseph had become a slave, he continued to trust in the Lord and find gratitude and happiness.
“The Lord was with Joseph so he became a successful man…the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer…and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper.”
Genesis 39:2, 21-22
The LEPER
Jesus healed 10 lepers from the flesh eating disease of leprosy. Only one of the ten – a Samaritan – returned all the way back, to thank Jesus for his kindness. He literally threw himself down at Jesus feet, to thank him and Praise Him for what he had done. Luke 17:11-19
The healed Samaritan, was so incredibly appreciative, he took time to journey all the way back to where Jesus was, to say “thank you”. He put gratitude in action, thanked Jesus, and was joyous!
Interesting… that Jesus asked him in verse 17, “Were not all ten cleansed? where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” God knows our minds and our hearts. God knows when we are grateful and when we are un-grateful. It mattered to Jesus, and it matters to God.
JESUS
Jesus lived a perfect life and one we must always strive to follow. He lived in a perpetual state of gratitude to God. We all fall short of His glory – daily – but it's important that we try to walk like He did. To follow in His steps, we must have and show gratitude.
Philippians 2:6-7 ” Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.”
1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.“
Jesus was a living example of gratitude.
He thanked God for the five loaves and two fish before feeding the five thousand. Matthew 14:18
He thanked God for always hearing and answering his prayer, just before he raised Lazarus from the grave. John 11;41,42
At the last supper with the disciples, Jesus broke bread and gave thanks, knowing he would be crucified and hung on a cross very soon and he said,
“In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God,
in Jesus Christ concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
His gratitude to God fueled his every action, which was to bring His Father Glory and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
The Prince of Glory, gave thanks to God for his simple provision. He owned nothing, had no place to call home while he was on earth and He showed gratitude to His Father in Heaven by being obedient, even unto death.
A story to help us appreciate our time here on earth and hopefully motivate us to put gratitude into action is below.
Steve Jobs was an American businessman who was the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Apple; the chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar; a member of the Walt Disney Company's board of directors following its acquisition of Pixar; and the founder, chairman and CEO of NeXT. He died a billionaire at 56 years old, from Pancreatic cancer. Here are a few of his last words on his sick bed:
“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes my life is an epitome of success.
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and
wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and
wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – “Life”.
When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – “Book of Healthy Life.”
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Treat yourself well. Cherish others.
As we grow older, and hence wiser, we slowly realize that —
wearing a $300 or $30 watch – they both tell the same time…
Whether we carry a $300 or $30 wallet/handbag – the amount of money inside is the same;
Whether we drive a $150,000 car or a $30,000 car, the road and distance is the same, and we get to the same destination.
Whether we drink a bottle of $300 or $10 wine – the hangover is the same;
Whether the house we live in is 300 or 3000 sq ft – loneliness is the same.
You will realize, your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.
Whether you fly first or economy class, if the plane goes down – you go down with it…
Therefore.. I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, …. That is true happiness!! “
A columnist Walter Isaacson interviewed Steve Jobs just before he died. According to Isaacson, Steve Jobs, was a self-proclaimed Buddhist, began questioning the meaning of life and God in the past few months before his death. Here is a segment of his interview…
“I remember sitting in his backyard in his garden one day and he started talking about God,” recalled Isaacson. “He said, 'Sometimes I believe in God, sometimes I don't. I think it's 50-50 maybe. But ever since I've had cancer, I've been thinking about it more. And I find myself believing a bit more. I kind of – maybe it's cause I want to believe in an afterlife. That when you die, it doesn't just all disappear. The wisdom you've accumulated. Somehow it lives on.'” Isaacson continued, “Then he paused for a second and he said, 'Yeah, but sometimes I think it's just like an on-off switch. Click and you're gone.' He paused again, and he said, 'And that's why I don't like putting on-off switches on Apple devices.'”
Jobs also brought up death during his discussions with Isaacson and questioned the meaning of his own existence.”I saw my life as an arc,” Jobs said in a recording aired on the show. “And that it would end and compared to that nothing mattered. You're born alone, you're gonna die alone. And does anything else really matter? I mean what is it exactly, is it that you have to lose Steve? You know? There's nothing.”
Steve Jobs passed away Oct. 5 at the age of 56.
Sadly Steve Jobs was not sure about what would happen with his soul upon his demise. He also acknowledged that he had little joy in his life, and that his wealth meant nothing. He shared that when someone loses their health they need to read the “Book of Healthy life”, when sadly he was not aware of the Lamb's book of eternal life.
Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his very soul.” Matthew 16:26
This is about eternity. Will we spend it with God? or be shut out of His presence.
Our Faith is a precious jewel that we need to be eternally grateful for, to guard and cherish and fuel into action.
Praise God we have the HOPE of Heaven and we KNOW where we are going. Keep studying God's Word.
Praise God we have a Savior, Jesus Christ. Let's worship Him.
Praise God we have the scriptures to show us THE WAY. Let's listen to Scripture and God's Word as it is read by Ron on Sunday morning and Wednesday nights.
Show GRATITUDE in our Faith for He paid it all, for us. Followers of JESUS will never be alone when we pass from this Life, for His Rod and His staff, will comfort us and we will dwell in the House of the LORD forever!
Psalm 23
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Practicing gratitude requires a humble and sincere heart, a mind that sets gratitude as a priority, and then follows it through. It needs to pulsate from our heart, to our minds to our souls and to our deeds.
The blessings that return to us when we show gratitude are too numerous to count, and Joy is but a result!
This world is in dire need of seeing GRATITUDE IN ACTION.
Be creative and have fun:
Help an elderly neighbor with raking leaves (Our neighbor saw us raking leaves last year and it was so touching that he came over to help! Yes we are getting on up there in age!)
Call one of our shut-ins in the church to see if they need anything, or just say “HI”
Volunteer… at Spooner House?
Send a card or note of encouragement
The list is endless.
KEEP SINGING…
“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20
COME INTO HIS PRESENCE
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving.” Psalm 100:4
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give Him Praise,
and give Him Praise;
Come into His presence with thanks giving in your heart, your voices raise,
Your voices raise.
Give glory and honor and power unto Him,
Jesus the name above all names.
GLORIFY THE LORD WITH ME
Psalm 34:1-3
I will extol the LORD at all times,
His praise will always be on my lips,
My soul will boast in the Lord of all Lords,
Let the afflicted, hear and rejoice!
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us all exalt His name together,
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us all exalt His Holy Name.
Philippians 4:6
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me –
put into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.“
Gratitude in action very simply defined, is LOVE.
Keep on Keeping on….and let's talk about His wonderful acts!
In His service,
Bruce & Paula