Good morning church family,
e23c636d-4619-5d94-3293-eef8f178109d@yahoo.com>”>GIVING THANKS:
* Thanks be to God for His Mercy and His Grace. How incredibly blessed we are to be IN CHRIST!
* Thanks to Ron & Lisa for hosting the Young Adults last Saturday. Here are a few photos to share:
52839cf4-a2e9-4a03-60f7-74c73047d4cf@yahoo.com>”>Zach lead the devotional…and the evening followed with games and fun fellowship!
2d900e6e-24e6-6b27-008e-7bb5fa84b2df@yahoo.com>”>PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Prayers for Nadine Keller as she prepares for the second opinion that Yale will give her on December 5th.
* Prayers for Kandice Pimpton who is slated for surgery December 13th
* Prayers for the Aponte and Flood families. Richard Flood (our past youth minister) and Rachel Aponte’s youngest son Josiah, was tragically killed in a motor cycle accident last weekend. Josiah was in his senior year of High School. Praise God that he loved God, and was a baptized believer.
13a6ca8a-2d32-ef10-9b54-9b17411c3a40@yahoo.com>”>* Chelsea Eddy’s grandmother Judy Ragland is in the early stages of confirming whether she might have colon cancer. The family is grateful for our prayers as they learn more.
* Leah Fernandes is grateful for the prayers for her cousin Lisa Tobey. After a battery of tests they determined that the cancer has not spread. She will continue to work with the doctors on her upcoming surgery and treatments. Lisa and Leah are both thankful for all of the prayers on her behalf.
* Jay and Flo requested prayers for a close brother in Christ Joe Saint Clair who is now on hospice. Joe was an elder at the church in Melrose, MA where Jay served as a Deacon and where he worshipped while he was in preaching school. Their family is very close to Joe and his wife June. Prayers are requested for June and his family and for the church.
* Angela asked for prayers for her mother-in-law Barbara who fell twice last week. She lives in Massachusetts so it’s been hard on Shawn. Prayers for her to regain her strength and medical issues to clear up. Also, Angela requested prayers since she lost her Uncle Phil last week (Her Mother’s brother) who had a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. Prayers for all of the family at this difficult time.
* Nadine Keller asked for prayers for her Uncle Seymour Parks who is in the hospital and soon to be transferred to a nursing home in Hartford. He is a widower and his children are spread out in other states.
COMING UP:
46436911-c1fc-f62b-438c-2f3afd12bac7@yahoo.com>”>Sunday, Dec 1st the Young Adults will be volunteering at the Spooner House from around 2-4:30! (Volunteering will include serving lunch and cleaning up the kitchen as well as sorting and shelving donations.) Please see Zach or Tori for more details!
680f5402-17a2-6e77-f6b7-d564d4f14849@yahoo.com>”>Wednesday night zoom class 7:00 p.m. on Death and the afterlife will continue next Wednesday. These classes are all taped and available on our church website for anyone who has interest, or knows someone searching. Watch for the zoom link and be sure to invite others.
6c0b463d-021d-a3b9-4c66-c75e29eef30b@yahoo.com>”>SUNDAY, December 8th after worship there will be a SHINE MINISTRY / Community outreach meeting immediately following worship. If you are interested in evangelizing to our community, please come to the meeting and be plugged in!
4bc4001f-37a8-28f2-153c-773bfb53071c@yahoo.com>”>TUESDAY, December 10th at 9:30 a.m. will be the next zoom mid-week ladies bible study lead by Lisa and Mary Lou Saracino. Next lesson is chapter 9 in the book. Please see Lisa or Mary Lou if you would like to join the study and need a book.
76b6c87e-4a87-a330-6b45-85e6d5635827@yahoo.com>”>FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF – Galatians 5:22-23 Ladies bible study continues on the second Saturday of the month. The next class will be December 14th 10:00-12:00 Tammie Carey will be leading us in the next fruit of the Spirit – “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH”. If you are unable to make these studies and wish to participate in the benevolence – “Adopt a senior”, including our shut-ins, please see Paula or Lisa.
ee7cc179-b9ea-5ff7-2248-ebfa44c5755f@yahoo.com>”>There will be a men’s breakfast held here at the church building on December 7th at 9:00 a.m.
GLOW WILD
Families with young children are encouraged to join in on the fun at the GLOW WILD exhibit at the Beardsley Zoo on December 7th at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased on the Beardsley Zoo website. Thanks to Derin & Kristen Wilson for organizing this!
2393eb8f-eff1-a67d-f422-c8a91a993e60@yahoo.com>”>“I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual.”
~Henry David Thoreau
Sharing a poignant post written by Casandra Martin about being thank-full every day!
“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” ~Robert Caspar Lintner The seasons have already switched. The dishes are barely done. There are still leftovers in the fridge. Kids aren’t back in school yet, but we have moved on. Thanksgiving is over, and the Christmas season has already been launched. Our national attention to gratitude is ushered out by pre-dawn sales and the rush to make the most out of the next holiday. Don’t let Thanksgiving go so easily. Hold onto the beauty of a day spent resting in your blessings. Hang onto the contentment you felt in the company of family and friends. Soak in the awareness of God’s hand on your life, His grace on your soul, and His love filling your heart. Too many times, I flip the pages of my calendar and forget that thankfulness is supposed to be the defining characteristic of a life infused with Christ. Thanksgiving helps me see His fingerprints on my days. Gratitude is the best way to experience the fullness of His presence because it makes my heart tender to His nearness and aware of His gentle tug at my soul. I am good at counting my problems, naming my burdens, grumbling about my grievances, whining about my work, fretting about my family, fuming at my friends, and cataloguing the circumstances that seem to be against me. Thankfulness is the tool God uses to turn me inside out. Joy flows from discovering the reasons to be grateful in the moment I am in. Love breaks through to my heart when I pause and say thanks. Peace moves in when I turn my eyes from my troubles to His tenderness. My Jesus Resolution today is to stretch Thanksgiving out. I am going to make it a 365 day event. No, there won’t be turkey every day, but there will be gratitude. I want thankfulness to define the way I see my world. I want it to be evident in the way I treat others, the choices I make, the way I speak, and even the way I celebrate the next holiday on the calendar. Thanksgiving was never meant to be confined to a single day. Be full of thanks and let it overflow into every day. |
God loves us and wants the best for us. How can we not be grateful? How can we not be humble? How can we not show gratitude to all whom we come in contact with?
Expressing gratitude for GOD and for one another (not just thinking it, but saying words of thanks) helps us to live out the top two commandments Mark 12:29-31
92f1cf90-be1e-9974-0b97-0a7c65f3678e@yahoo.com>”>The Psalmist understood the power of gratitude as we read Psalm 100:4
fd47d3ee-a4a9-a387-e766-916c9245ae12@yahoo.com>”>Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”
1 Timothy 4:4-5: “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
Colossians 2:6-7 “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 50:14 “Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving! Fulfill the promises you made to the Most High!“
Hebrews 13:15 “Through Jesus, therefore let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Having an attitude of gratitude sets the altitude!
f153b0e3-dc76-561a-8fad-dfe365856b37@yahoo.com>”>Reflect on what God has given to each of us, saying “Thank you” to God daily.
Express gratitude this year for each other. Say “thank you” to others, often.
Reflect on your life’s journey and how you have been blessed by God, and praise Him.
Share gratitude by sharing what you have with others.
* Hospitality
* Kindnesses
* Giving (Giving back, paying forward)
Actively look for things to be thankful for, even during challenging moments, i.e. count your blessings name them one by one.
Prayer – acknowledge God’s provision and His goodness in your life.
10 Things to Thank God for daily:
God’s Sovereignty – Jeremiah 32:17
ba6adfa6-75af-0a9b-ba63-3f1dd5bf530d@yahoo.com>”>Our Savior – John 3:16
bf4f7b57-9b5e-3ec7-5486-dd6e548ed19c@yahoo.com>”>The Holy Spirit who works in our lives daily – 1 Corinthians 3:16
ca240a3e-6da6-729b-7306-96d922d7816e@yahoo.com>”>God’s Word – Hebrews 4:12 & 13
f3559571-ac54-6bdf-26eb-62e6f9507640@yahoo.com>”>Life – Every day is a NEW DAY & HIS MERCIES ARE NEVER CEASING –
Lamentations 3:22-23
d3e2f183-fd91-72a9-6b15-70a30762e79c@yahoo.com>”>Our Incredible Purpose – Ephesians 2:10
b5672aad-62b5-6367-7cd2-a636292cf2e4@yahoo.com>”>This beautiful firmament – Psalm 90
1cbea824-7b33-c880-f1ea-53f622aa1e27@yahoo.com>”>Our ability to worship God
004517e8-4037-c872-1f69-506310e0dfee@yahoo.com>”>Opportunities to serve and glorify the LORD
965fb3bb-0a7f-9612-a48a-81ca15246dbf@yahoo.com>”>Being loved, and having the ability to love others – 1 John 4:10
cc3cd84f-06ff-7474-34fb-279d25e0909f@yahoo.com>”>SO MUCH MORE….
d1a2a289-4017-f32e-07a9-5fc92280171e@yahoo.com>”>SING TO GOD WITH OVERFLOWING GRATITUDE:
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy Is the Lamb
Thank You for the cross Lord,
Thank You for price You paid,
Bearing my all my sin and shame,
In Love you came,
and gave amazing Grace.
Thank You for the Love Lord,
Thank You for the nail -pierced Hands
Wash me in Your cleansing flow,
Now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne,
Crown you now with many crowns,
You Reign Victorious
I am lifted up,
Jesus Son of God,
The Darling of Heaven crucified,
Worthy is the Lamb!
Worthy is the Lamb!
Thank You for the cross Lord
Thank You for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame,
In love You came and gave Amazing Grace
Thank You for the Love Lord,
Thank You for the nail pearced hands
Wash me in your cleansing flow
Now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embrace!
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne,
Crown You now with many crowns,
You Reign Victorious
I am lifted up!
Jesus Son of God,
The darling of Heaven crucified,
Worthy is the Lamb!
Worthy is the Lamb!
Worthy is the Lamb!
Seated on the throne,
Crown You now with many crowns
You Reign Victorious!
I am lifted up.
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified,
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.
10,000 REASONS
Bless the Lord oh my Soul
Oh my soul,
Worship His Holy name,
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning,
It’s time to sing Your song again,
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes.
It’s a new day dawning,
It’s time to sing Your song again,
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes.
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
You’re rich in Love
And You’re slow to anger
Your Name is great
And Your Heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
Bless the Lord oh my Soul
Oh my soul,
Worship His Holy name,
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
And on that day
when my strength is failing,
the end draws near and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing Your praise un-ending,
10,000 years and then forever more!
Bless the Lord oh my Soul
Oh my soul,
Worship His Holy name,
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
Bless the Lord oh my Soul
Oh my soul,
Worship His Holy name,
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
Bless the Lord oh my Soul
Oh my soul,
Worship His Holy name,
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your Holy name!
7a2b89b9-92d6-fc7c-62ca-69d9c8310250@yahoo.com>”>Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
fb314e78-b8fb-b655-ad00-a1680953dd2a@yahoo.com>”>To God be the Glory, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!
In Him,
Bruce & Paula