Happy Thanksgiving

In the midst of your Thanksgiving holiday, I just wanted to send along this reminder from Psalm 103:1-5:

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits -  who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

 This is a call to praise God from deep within us for all His blessings.  What better time than now to recount His forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, and satisfaction.  While we all have things we wish were different in our lives, we have a lot to be grateful for!  Praise comes from a thankful heart.  Today, consider the ways in which God has helped you, cared for you, and encouraged you this past year.  Take nothing for granted.  Then offer your praise and thanksgiving to Him!  

Lastly, I wanted to give thanks for this year's Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Project.  A huge thank you to Nancy Perez-Serrano who spearheaded the project on behalf of the Missions Committee.  These shoeboxes, filled with toys, school supplies, and care items, are being sent to poor children around the world who would never receive a Christmas gift of any kind.  Each box also includes a book that tells the children about the love and hope of Jesus.  Between different church groups and others connected to the church, we filled and delivered 385 shoeboxes to Samaritan's Purse last week!  This is more than we've ever done!  As Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."  Please pray that the shoeboxes will touch the hearts of the children for the Lord.

Praise God and Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Darren