Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Thanksgiving is a part of the Christian life. To give thanks to God for all His Good Gifts.

God has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason, and all my senses, an still preserves them… all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. (1st Article)

The greatest gift God gives you is His Son Jesus.

The surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9)

This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17)

Jesus redeemed you from sin, death and the devil with His Blood shed on the Cross.

Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3)

We are to speak the Word of God to one another with thankfulness in our hearts to God. Thanksgiving is not equal to happiness. Happiness is an emotion that comes and goes. Thanksgiving is a state of being – living in Christ. I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4)

We do not relegate thanksgiving to one day a year.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! (Psalm 100)

Christians receive God’s gifts with THANKSGIVING. Jesus in His Word, Jesus in Baptism, Jesus in the Lord's Supper filling you up with life and salvation. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chronicles 16)

Rejoice in receiving God's gifts that reign eternal. A Blessed Thanksgiving to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord. I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. (Offertory)