Thanksgiving 2023

Weekly Update – November 23rd, 2023

As a child, I grew up around most of my family.  We would all get together throughout the year, whether it was for birthdays, special weekends or other celebrations.  But the one holiday that always stuck out, where the entire family came together around one or sometimes two tables was Thanksgiving.  It was around these tables that we had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and every kind of casserole, along with pumpkin pie and other various desserts.  It was around these tables that the entire family sat remembering events from years past and laughing at the same joke that somehow made its way into the conversation again this year.  It wasn’t a time for fighting or bickering, but instead around these tables there was joy, peace and even a real sense of thanksgiving for each other and for what God had given to us.

There is a certain grace that God allows us to experience when we can be around family and friends in this type of atmosphere.  The reality though, is that this world can be a harsh place to live in, where families are broken, siblings fight, parents and children refuse to speak and the friends of yesterday have somehow become the enemies of today.  We live in a world where the perfect Thanksgiving is what we long for, but instead what we often find before us are days of loneliness, isolation and failed relationships. 

God designed men and women to live together in fellowship with each other and with him.  In fact that is part of what it means to be in the image of God.  When we think of the image of God, we ought to remember that we are not in the image of a singular God, but we are made in the image of a triune God.  God exists in three persons, where the Father, Son and Holy Spirit live in perfect harmony, communication and love for one another.  Man was designed to display God through having fellowship with him and with one another. 

But something happened one day.  Sin came into the world, disrupting not only that perfect fellowship with God, but also the perfect fellowship that men and women had with each other.  In fact this is part of the curse that God placed upon man.  From the day that sin entered the world, what we have experienced are broken relationships, lost communication, and hurtful lives that long for redemption from loneliness and isolation. 

There is good news.  God being rich in mercy provides redemption from this state.  He sent his son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the curse of sin so that we might be reconciled not only to him but to one another as well.  In fact this is what we proclaim together in the Lord’s Supper.  It is a sort of mini Thanksgiving that displays our unity with God and with one another.  It doesn’t always feel like a Thanksgiving, but it anticipates a day when all believers will gather around a table in perfect fellowship together.  We can imagine this meal taking place around a great table in heaven, where we are promised that there is no more sin, no more tears, no more broken relationships, no more loneliness or isolation; but instead perfect relationships, perfect communication and perfect harmony. 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, whether it be with a large family or even by ourselves, remember that the feasts we have here on earth only anticipate the great feast that we will one day enjoy with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the table of our heavenly father.  No Thanksgiving meal will ever provide that perfect communication and fellowship that we long for as long as we are live in a sin-filled world.  But thanks be to God who redeems us through his son Jesus Christ, we can have hope that the fellowship we long for here on earth, will one day be fulfilled in a heavenly kingdom.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"[So] faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
- Romans 10:17

Announcements:

Christmas Choir: Rehearsals for Christmas Choir are held on Friday evenings. Please contact Martin Maharas for details.

Christmas Cookie Exchange: All women of the church are invited to participate in a Christmas Cookie Exchange at the Nelson home on Saturday, December 9th. More details can be found HERE.

Members’ Meeting: We are planning to have a potluck lunch and members’ meeting following the morning service on Sunday, December 17th.

Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. Feel free to check these out and get one for this Advent season.

Christmas Caroling: On Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30pm, we will meet at the church to go out caroling to our shut-ins and our neighborhood.

Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.