Dear Church Family,

            As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we all will take time to consider the blessings that we have in life.  We all have so many things to be thankful in life.  We all have been blessed by the Lord with relationships that mean so much to us.  I would like to take time to tell you of the Top Seven things that I am thankful in life.

            My Top Seven Things I am thankful for:

1. I am thankful for a loving wife who supports me as I seek to fulfill the calling that the Lord has placed on my life.  She is so supportive of all the hours even in the evening that ministry requires.
2. I am thankful for the children that God has given Joann and I.  When I see them grow in their spiritual knowledge and academic knowledge, I am so proud of them.  I do not know what they will become later in life, but I know that they are getting prepared for that adventure.
3. I am thankful for this church that I get to serve as Pastor.  Each week I am excited to lead the church in discovering God’s truth in His word.
4. I am thankful for the wonderful deacons that serve in this church.  They have been a wonderful encouragement as partners in the ministry of the Gospel.
5. I am thankful for the faithful Sunday School teachers who come each week ready to share the word of God in that dedicated time of study.  You show so much dedication that I am encouraged.
6. I am thankful for the multitude of Awana workers that show up each week to help young people to learn how to hide God’s word in their heart.  You are planting seeds in the lives of young people that will bring forth fruit both now and later in life.
7. I am thankful for the salvation that my Jesus gives to me.  I am thankful that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. 

He brings me all the blessings above because of the relationship that I have with Him.  Jesus causes me to be able to have relationships with others that is purposeful and edifying.  Jesus loved me enough to show his love.  Not only has he shown me how much he loves me, he lavishes his love on me daily.  I can face all of today and all that tomorrow may bring because the Lord Jesus loves me!  We sing of that fact in that old song-“Jesus love me, this I know because the Bible tells me so!”

 

This Thanksgiving season will you tell others that you love them!  Will you tell them how much they mean to you?  Often we neglect to tell others that we love them or we know that they love us.  Let’s make this month a month of love.  Love Jesus and love others.

 

I love being YOUR Pastor,

 

Pastor Jay