Dear Friends,

I found myself struggling to write something “new” as a reflection for Thanksgiving. And then it struck me. All I needed to do was to write three words: “Thank you, God.”

Thank you, God, for faithful servants who prepare our house for worship each Sunday, who greet us, lead us, and feed us.
Thank you for those who lift their voices in song, giving us confidence to add our own voices to glad songs of praise.
Thank you for disciples who teach our children the Good News of Jesus Christ, inviting them to explore the wonder of God’s presence in their lives.
Thank you for persons of prayer who keep those we name each Sunday in their hearts throughout the week.
Thank you for those whose lively faith and deep commitment embody for us  the compelling call to discipleship.
Thank you for those whose honest questions about faith and belief lead us to deeper understandings of what it means to be a disciple.
Thank you for servants who bring food for Harvest on Vine, who travel to St. Luke’s/San Lucas with clothes and goods for those in need, and whose love for their neighbor is made manifest in ways seen and unseen every day.
Thank you for colleagues and staff persons whose love and devotion make possible the ministries of us all.
Thank you for those who accept the mantle of leadership, and give of their time and skill to build up the Body of Christ.
Thank you for those who tend to our finances, and who inspire us to be generous in our giving.
Thank you for those who tend to our building and our grounds, who create places where we may work and worship in the beauty of holiness.
Thank you for those whose long and faithful years of membership bring us wisdom and knowledge, and a deep appreciation for all that has been.
Thank you for those who are the newest among us, whose insights bring  fresh understandings of the Gospel, and excitement about what is yet to be.
Thank you for all those  blessings we see, and also for the countless acts of love and devotion unseen by us, but received and acknowledged by you.
Thank you, God, for giving us a community in which we discover your great generosity.
Thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, blessing us, sustaining us, and forming us as a joyful and grateful people.

Faithfully,

Tom