Thanksgiving: The power of “In”

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” -I Thessalonians 5:16-18
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Paul here is teaching the young believers in Thessalonica about the life of faith following Jesus. I think it is important to notice that Paul writes, “give thanks IN all circumstances.” We don’t have to give thanks FOR everything, but we need to learn how to give thanks IN everything. I looked up my grandpa’s notes on this verse. He writes, “Joy dies when communion with God ceases and complaining replaces thankfulness.” We have a lot to complain about these days! But that complaining will only rob us of our joy. When we find ourselves complaining we would do well to notice it and name the things we are not happy about. But then to keep with that thread and look for things we can be thankful for IN the difficult circumstances. May you find joy in your thanksgiving this week, even amidst all the difficulty of these days.

WORSHIP
This Sunday we will enjoy a message from our Bishop along with our usual Zoom and In-Person worship. Hope to see you!
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Nov. 29 will begin the season of advent, our theme this year is “Waiting”.

CHURCH CONFERENCE
We will have one church conference this year for the whole parish on Sunday, November 22nd at noon. You can Zoom in (link below) or you can attend in-person in the Holbrook sanctuary. Please wear masks and we will socially distance. I have attached our agenda. We will be setting our goals for 2021 as well as approving our budget and leadership team. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Jan Witman, will be leading us via Zoom and we will hear a brief message from Bishop Karen Oliveto. I hope you join us.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Thank you to everyone who has been submitting devotionals. You are all going to enjoy reading each day! I will email the devotion each day through advent, beginning Nov. 29th. You can also pick up a printed version Wednesday afternoon Nov. 25th in three places: in the old mailbox under the tree on the left side of the door at Grace UMC, in the fellowship hall of Pine Creek UMC, or at worship at Holbrook on Nov. 29th.

ZOOM INFO: (Meeting ID and Passwords are available in our weekly email)
· Weekly worship continues indefinitely on Sundays at 9 am. 
· Hymns and Prayers: Join us for a mid-week pick-me-up on Thursdays at 7 pm. No Meeting on Thanksgiving
· Meaningful Conversations: Join us on Wednesdays at 11 am as we talk about how we live as followers of Jesus in our divided world.
 
The Lord bless you and keep you!