Volume 5 Issue 8 | November 2022

Don't Forget Thanksgiving

From 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him.” Psalm 95:2

In the frenzy of holiday preparations and Black Friday deals, it can be all too easy for us to skim over Thanksgiving. Sure, we serve the turkey and gravy, and mention what we’re grateful for, but do we linger on giving thanks? Or once the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals come out, do we immediately focus on all the things we want and all the savings we could have? Are we more excited about counting the gifts than we are about counting our blessings?

When the retail world becomes loud, ask the Lord to speak louder. When your eyes become focused on the newest, shiniest gadgets, ask Jesus to fix your eyes on Him and His gifts — and on the greatest gift of salvation.

Don’t let autumn and its season of gratitude get lost in the blur of Christmas fanfare. Let Thanksgiving have its day — and its attitude — in your heart.

Father, I’m so grateful for an annual reminder to give You thanks. Keep me focused on all I have, not on all I want.

Why Should You Volunteer at Church?

Adapted from the One Life Church Blog

Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about volunteering at church? Is it one of the commandments? Is it just a good thing to do? Will it help us get into heaven?

Here’s the deal – volunteering at church will not get you into heaven and it isn’t one of the Ten Commandments, but God does have a lot to say about serving Him, the church, and others. Check it out. The book of James talks a lot about faith and works. We don’t have to do good works (volunteer our time, help those in need, etc.) to be saved, but we do good works because we are saved! We can show our faith by our actions (James 2:18). James also goes on to say that faith without works is dead. So if we claim to be saved by the blood of Jesus, we need to show it through our actions. One way to do that is by volunteering our time at church.

James is pretty straightforward that we are called to do work, but here are 3 other reasons we should volunteer at church.

• To Use Your Gifts: Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve others.” God has given each of us who follow Him specific and unique gifts. Some of us have the gift of hospitality. We enjoy making people feel loved and welcomed. A great way to use this gift in the church is by being on the First Touch Team. You can greet guests as they come to church, make them feel at home. Some of us have the gift of teaching. Use this gift to lead a Bible study or a Sabbath School class. Use the gifts God has given you to volunteer at church.

• It Is Greater To Serve Than To Be Served: Jesus himself said in Matthew 20:28, “For the even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as ransom for many.” Jesus was the ultimate example of serving others. He was fully God, yet He came to serve man. In John 13, Jesus serves his closest followers, the disciples, by washing their feet. He set the example not only for the disciples but also for us that serving others is greater than being served. There is so much more than coming to church to hear a good sermon and sing songs. We are called to serve others.

• By Serving Others, I Am Serving God: When we volunteer at church, we are serving others. We are welcoming people, teaching kids, loving on others. When we do these things for people, we are ultimately doing it for God. Jesus says in Matthew 25:40, ”The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you were doing it for me.‘” So when you come to church and volunteer, you are ultimately working for God.

So, now that you know WHY you should volunteer at church, you can jump in and do it! Click here to complete a Ministry Interest Form. And when the Nominating Committee comes calling, please listen to the voice of God and serve. Both you and the church will be better for it.

The CAA Expansion

In November, please pray for God’s presence to fill our newly expanded school. Remember that Deut. 31:8 says “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Why We Need Children's Sabbath School

Adapted from an article by Mimi Patrick

1: Marlene Makapela 3: Tommye Nious, Rita Stewart 4: Theresa Birden, Marsalis Brown, Dawana Martin 6: Teresa Whitner 7: Theo Dixon, Kaliyah Terrell 8: Thelma Scott 10: Renene Craft, Ronald Dozier 12: Valerie Green, Eva-Nell Hawkins, James M. Lee 13: Henoc Cherestal 15: Luanda Cunningham, Alyssa Jackson 16: Erica Lee 17: Stacy Mensah 18: Eric Alexander, Chandler Cherestal, Jean Desir, Ronald Horton 19: Lakeisha Hollingsworth, Benin Lee Jr., Patrick Mensah 20: Dorothy Bethea, 22: Marie Broussard 23: Jacqueline Tate 25: Zolly Hawthorne, Kyla Stone 26: Tyson Bell 27: LaVona Foster, Pastor Keith Goodman, Sonya Scott 29: Monica Fischer, Henry Griffith Sr.

Did we miss your November birthday or anniversary? Let us know by emailing [email protected].