Thank you, Lord!

As we gathered in the Fellowship Hall for our Thanksgiving Worship and Potluck Dinner, there was joy-filled conversation and the wonderful smells of home cooked potluck dishes. The evening began with worship as Salome (from the 16th chapter of Mark) joined the gathering to share messages from the past. The first was a message from Paul of thanksgiving for their faith (read Colossians 1:2b-12).

Salome reminded us the faith shown and fruit born point to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul's letter is a prayer of thanksgiving painted in hues of joy and praise, of support and reassurance that the Holy Spirit is working within usto bring the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to this community. But Paul believes that our work not only bears fruit, but it is a fruit that leads to continued growth in knowledge and wisdom of God. Many of us have traveled through many places and met many people over the years. The power of God’s Light has been working through others to touch us, to form us, to mold us as Christ’s own. And God’s Light continues on, working through us as we engage the world through the mission and ministry we embrace.

Salome reminded us to Trust in the power of God’s Light—for our Lord does rescue us from darkness. Live in the hope that is offered, sharing this same hope with others. Believe the truth that just as God worked through other people to touch our lives, God is working in and through us to touch others. The second message Salome brough us is a message of presence (read Genesis 28:10-19). God's presence is with us no matter where we are. Jacob had stated, “Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!” When those words came out of Jacob’s mouth, there was no temple in Jerusalem. Without one designated place to make their offerings, people in Jacob’s world were free to see the whole world as an altar. The Divine could erupt anywhere, and when it did they marked the spot in any way they could—even a pile of rocks covered with oil. However, there was no sense hanging around the pile of rocks for long, since God stayed on the move.

Marking the places where we meet God is important. Places like our church buildings are important. But we must be careful never to wrap ourselves up so much in any building that we forget God continues to stay on the move… making sanctuary where it is most needed. God meets us where we are. God speaks into our lives with messages for our future. God moves with us in our comings and goings, reaching out to us with grace and love giving us sanctuary in God’s presence.

Salome then asked us some questions: Where are the places you’ve met God? Have you marked the spot? …or at least marked your memory of the spot to return to in your mind? She then invited us to take some time around our tables to share a story of where we've met God. The stories were wonderful examples of presence--God's presence!

We have only to look as far as our everyday activities to see that God is present and alive. Remember the places where you have met God… where you have been touched by God.
Remember… and give thanks for the living presence of this Holy God that loves you!

Lastly, Salome brought us a message of giving thanks for things. She said, "As I gather here with you tonight, I realize that my attire stands out against your more modern clothing. At first I felt a bit uncomfortable, but then I had to laugh at myself. We gather here tonight in thanksgiving for what God has blessed us with… and what we are wearing has really no bearing on our blessings. Oh, sure, we may feel that because we can afford nice things that we have been blessed by God. But the reality is that God’s blessings go far deeper than any clothing we wear… or house that we live in."

And these blessings are many... We are blessed by a mother’s arms… A father lifting us as a child into safety… The love of friends and family… Comfort and support when we most need it… Joy upon joy as our cup overflows with the bounty of little things in the life that bring a smile to our heart. These are the things that matter. Clothing styles will continually change over the years—and society will constantly try to tell us that our clothes or means of transportation or houses are what matter. But we know better. We know that having God at the center of lives; that embracing the gift of Life that Jesus has given us; that letting the Holy Spirit blow through our lives is what really matters. Striving for the kingdom of God is far more important to us.

Salome then shared with us that at one point in his ministry, Jesus sat on the side of a mountain and shared some pearls of wisdom. She shared a portion of what he said that day… (read Matthew 6:25-33).

God knows what we need… which is not necessarily what we want. Yet, God knows best what is vital for life… full, wholesome, meaningful life… and God provides. For this we give thanks and praise God with all our being.

It was an evening of fun and laughter, prayer and praise, song and good food. Check out our pictures on BPCs Facebook page.

Thank you, Lord!