October 28, 2021
The Season of Song – Thanksgiving
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Colossians 3:12, 14 -17
“Let all Things Now Living,” “Thank you Lord,” “Because I Have Been Given Much,” “Lead Me Guide Me,” “I Thank You Jesus.” We enter a season of song, remembrance, and thanksgiving. Where have we come from and where are we going? Sometimes it feels as if we have not made any progress. However, this is the time of year when we have the opportunity to try and take an honest, objective look at the past months. In doing so we can celebrate the things that have gone well and take away lessons from the things that didn’t quite turn out as we hoped.
Whether we are rejoicing or our hearts are in deep concern we, as a family, do it together. In whatever way we serve, within the church body or in the wider community, we do ministry with one another, encouraging one another. When we focus on Jesus, the one who makes it possible for us to be family, united in purpose, we can say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strength-ens me.” And with a common focus, even in the midst of the most chaotic times, we know that “the peace of God which surpasses all human understand-ing stands guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
The year is not over and we are preparing right now for what comes next. It is not an easy task because there is no guarantee of how things will be in the coming days/weeks (but wasn’t that always true?). Rather than sit idly, we continue to press on, together, working our way forward to whatever work God has in store for us. And in our moving forward, we bring others along with us, sharing the joy and hope that we are able to find in the midst of the unknown, knowing that “He (God) has never failed us yet,” and “we have come this far (together) by faith.” At times it is the song, “hymns, spiritual songs,” that help us maintain focus and ground us for the journey ahead.
Growing Together in Christ,
Pastor Carolyn