Blessed to Bless
We're now in December and the year is winding down! But before we get full on into Christmas and New Years, I just wanted to pause and not bypass some recent Thanksgiving activities too quickly. Here are several highlights to remember:
Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." In mid-November, we gathered in the sanctuary for Prayer & Worship Night where we prayed, heard testimony of God's saving grace, partook communion, and praised the Lord. We recognized the hardships of life, yet lifted our hands and voices rejoicing in God's never-ending goodness and faithfulness to His people.
Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Our Fountain Youth Group and Young Adult College (YAC) Group families gathered In mid-November for our Thanksgiving feast. It was such a warm, wonderful time to worship, fellowship and just be together, which in this busy world, doesn't happen enough. I'm thankful for our Fountain and YAC students and families and their love for the Lord. In pure Thanksgiving style, the adults ate a lot and the youth played a lot . . . all to the glory of God!
Acts 20:35 says, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" One of the activities the Fountain and YAC groups did at the gathering was fill Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and other items. These shoeboxes will be sent to poor children around the world who would never receive a Christmas gift of any kind. Along with each box, a book is sent that tells the children about the love and hope of Jesus. As a church, we filled and delivered 220 boxes last month. Praise God for everyone's participation!
When I think of Thanksgiving (and Christmas), I am reminded of Jesus' words to give and not just receive. This is central to Christianity! "For God so loved the world that He gave . . ." Most of us have been put in a position to give and share with those who are less fortunate than we are. May we be a church that recognizes how blessed we are, and, in turn, blesses others.
God bless.
Pastor Darren
