Giving Thanks Throughout

We remember and give thanks.

That’s what we do in the church. We remember … and we give thanks. We remember the story, from before time was kept through our own time and forward still, and we give thanks. We remember the story of Jesus Christ - who lived and loved and showed us how to love - and we remember the gift of the Holy Spirit that gave birth to Christ's church and are thankful we can be a part of God's ongoing work.

We remember and give thanks.

On Sunday, November 3, our remembering and thanksgiving prompts a response. On Consecration Sunday, we submit Estimate of Giving cards as our humble way of remembering what God has done and trusting in what God will do. This is the stuff of faith. I encourage you to read Hebrews 11:1 through 12:3 (here is a link). I've been blessed to share biblical wisdom about trusting God with money and possessions in the teachings these past four weeks. One note: while there is no lunch served this year, we are offering fruit and pastries served in the Fellowship Hall. 

We remember and give thanks.

On November 10, All Saints Sunday, we will remember how the ministry we share now was embraced and lived by generations before us. We will remember by name those of our church family here at Epworth who in the past year entered into the Communion of Saints. Names will be read, candles lit, lives honored, and holy memories stirred. We cannot begin to capture the fullness of their lives, but we can recall their place in our congregation and the ministry we carry on from them. And, no doubt, our minds will turn to others who touched our lives with God’s grace and showed us the way of faithful living. Finally, before our service is done, we will remember the words of Jesus, who said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” and together we will share in the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

We remember and give thanks.

On the evening of November 24, we welcome the people and clergy of the churches and synagogues who are members of the Wynnton Neighborhood Network for the Thanksgiving Unity Service. It is a rich hour of worship that features participation and leadership from each congregation, and we will be blessed to serve as host for the night. Our preacher will be the Rev. Wayland Conner, from Allen Temple AME, which hosted the service a year ago. 

We remember and give thanks. May we be changed for the better by it. Grace and Peace, Scott