A Special Message from the Pastor

Thanksgiving Message

The Greek word translated “to give thanks” is eucharisteo. It contains the root words, grace and joy, with a prefix meaning good. We pause to think about what is good, what brings joy and where we have experienced grace.

Many of us will gather together to give thanks with friends and family this time of year to celebrate Thanksgiving. No matter how we define it or experience it, fellowship is what satisfies our souls. Relationships are essential to the spiritual life, and they are usually far from perfect. Perhaps we have decided not to participate in giving thanks until we, the world, our families and friends, are just the way we want them to be.

Jesus didn’t wait. Luke reminds us that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed (gave thanks for) it, broke it and gave it to them. Thankfulness does not depend on the good grace or the joy of others. Thankfulness comes from deep within us.

Jesus anticipated this moment of thanksgiving with great passion. He loved the moment just the way it was - messy, imperfect and even painful. He accepted that suffering and joy are not mutually exclusive.

Thanksgiving is a matter of perspective. We live in a time where there is just cause for much sorrow, for tears and even anger. In giving thanks, Jesus did not look so much at the world around him. He went deep within himself, to a place of love. For the sake of grace, for joy and for good, let us follow his example.

—Pastor Strother Gross