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Hello St. John’s Family,
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day in which we collectively pause to reflect and express our gratefulness for God’s goodness and blessings in our lives. Typically, our minds focus on the “best” times: the moments when things come together just as we hoped, and we are able to experience goodness and joy. Which is very appropriate – we should take time to reflect, recognize the abundant goodness that God extends to us, and give thanks. But what about the difficult times… the times when things do not go according to our plans? What about the times we experience setbacks, difficulties, or loss?
Those heavy moments do not stop for Thanksgiving – a fact many know too well. Personally, I do not believe that God expects us to “thank” God for the setbacks life brings our way. While setbacks and struggles do help us to appreciate the goodness and blessings we experience – and we should recognize that – it doesn’t mean we must thank God for pain we encounter. Rather, I believe God desires for us to see how God is there, present with us through every struggle. God is with us in the difficulty and setbacks we face, just like God is with us in times of goodness and joy. God’s presence will never leave us. Not only is that reality something to be thankful for; recognizing that helps us to be able to see moments of beauty and goodness in the midst of difficulty or loss.
Recently, many in our congregation heard of a local family who had experienced a devastating fire. The Johnson family has been beloved members of our community for many years; hearing of their loss led you to reach out with prayers, assistance, and love. The love offering you shared helped address immediate material needs; the prayers and support uplifted them in ways we will never fully grasp. This week I received a beautiful card from the Johnson’s, expressing their deep gratitude for the love and support you extended to them. In the card, Susan expressed how all are called to be “the hands of God on earth” – and how their experience in the aftermath of the fire revealed so many examples of everyday people in our community living out that call. Susan wrote an editorial for a local paper and enclosed a copy in her note; a scan of that editorial can be read here.
While reading her card and editorial, I was struck by how, despite so much difficulty and loss, the Johnson Family is focusing on the love and provision of God – through the hands of God on earth – they have experienced. I am sure they are deeply thankful for that – a moving example of giving thanks in a time of struggle.
Friends, please know how thankful I am for you: a congregation who sincerely seeks to live out your call to be “the hands of God on earth.” We may use slightly different words to state that call… Open Arms and Serving Hands, Transforming Lives Through Christ… yet they point to the same purpose. That purpose: to extend the same saving love to others that Christ extended to us – and you do that very well!
I pray you will have the opportunity to spend time tomorrow with meaningful people in your life, giving thanks to God for our many blessings in all times and seasons, while sharing in good food and fellowship together. As I do that, I’ll be thanking God for you-
This Sunday in worship we’ll explore Luke 21:25-36 as we begin the Advent season. We’ll hear of faithful people waiting, wondering when God’s reign will be fulfilled, with echoes of earlier prophets who awaited when God’s anointed would come. As we wait expectantly, we’ll draw on signs that remind us of Christ’s strong presence, always ready to break in anew. I hope you’ll join me Sunday morning-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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