November 23, 2016
Dear Eastridge Family,
Tomorrow we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Of course for those who follow Jesus every
day is a “Thanksgiving Day.” What does
it mean to give thanks?
When the Bible says “in everything give thanks” we might be
prone to question the injunction, in everything? Not everything that happens to us is worth
thanking God for, we might say.
There is no question that many things that happen are evil,
difficult, and filled with turmoil, sorrow and tragedy. In one sense, we are not to give thanks for
everything, but rather in everything, or in the midst of every situation.
Giving thanks to God in the midst of difficult events that
happen to us is only possible if we have the right perspective. What do we deserve? What does God guarantee us? Is happiness an eternal right? The answers to these questions help us focus
on the right perspective.
If we deserve nothing due to the sinful condition of our
nature, then anything we have brings gratitude. If God guarantees, not happiness or good
happenings as we might define it, but the assurance that He has allowed what
happens in order to build our character, then our perspective changes.
“And one of them, when
he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are
the nine?” Luke 17:15-17
Once Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned and gave
Him thanks. He replied, “were there not
ten cleansed?” The ingratitude may
appear shocking, but it only reveals a similar culture here in America as well.
We live in ungrateful times. Children no longer thank their parents for
providing shelter, food and clothing. Parents no longer thank employers for
providing them a job. Church members
often fail to thank those that serve them with sacrifice and faithfulness. Why?
We have perverted God’s provisions into entitlement
guarantees. Even preachers can begin to
simply tell their listeners what they want to hear – that all that God has for
them is health, wealth and happiness. Anything
less would be beneath our status as King’s kids!
But this perverts both God’s goodness and man’s need. God is perfect, holy and righteous, owing us
nothing. If we don’t start here, our
basis for giving thanks will be selfish and limited.
Giving thanks is thus our duty, and the first response we owe
our Creator. We ought to be thankful for
each breath, for we have no guarantee of tomorrow. We ought to be thankful for those who serve
us, and thankful for every meal and the simple joys of life.
Black
Friday Activities
Yard Clean
Up
If you run out of money by noon on Friday or if you just would
like to help rake up leaves, paint or maybe even decorate at the church we have
good news for you! Miguel Cruz and Tim
Bertrand will be at the church about 12:30pm to help work on a couple of these
projects. Anyone who would like to join
them is more than welcome to come out and help.
Youth
Movie Night
Friday evening at 6:30pm at the church the youth group will be
watching a movie together and having some snacks as well. If any of our teenagers (7th grade
through college) that would like to come out are more than welcome. If you have any questions you may contact Tim
Bertrand via phone or text.
Children’s
Christmas Program
Each Sunday the Children will be practicing the songs for
their presentation of the Christmas Program on Sunday morning December 18th. All the children 6th grade and
under are welcome to attend to prepare for the presentation.
Holiday
Dinner
Following the morning worship service on Sunday December 18th
we will share a meal together. The
church is providing the meat (Turkey and Ham) so we are asking you sign up to
bring a side dish and desert or drinks.
The sign-up sheets are located in the entryway of the church.
