Abraham Lincoln declared on October 3, 1863 that the last Thursday of November would be a national holiday of Thanksgiving. He explained it this way:
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
God’s blessings and his watchful providence have been so evident in our church in these days.
Sunday, you packed 700 blessing bags that were delivered on Monday to Freemansburg and Marvine Elementary School Students. It was a joy to see all of you from our youngest to our grand adults serving together to bless Bethlehem. And it was a joy for our team to deliver those bags to the kids. More on that coming soon.
Yesterday, we wrapped up the first visit with our master planning architects, Bill Merriman and Jim Powell. I don’t have an exact number, but close to 500 people interacted in our Grace Vision Gatherings Friday, Saturday and Sunday night as well as at our smaller ministry meetings. Many of you were out of town and asked how you can get “caught up”. Stay tuned. Next week, the Master Plan Committee will send out a summary and a way for you to engage our dreaming about our future.
It is so easy and important to celebrate THANKSGIVING this year. I hope you will be a part of Thanksgiving worship services this week.
Tonight, THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE AT BECA – Wednesday at 7 pm, we will once again gather to give God thanks – for all the ways he has blessed us. As is our custom, some of us will give testimony of God’s grace. We will gather at BECA high beautifully decorated by a team of volunteers led by Kim Lewis. We will hear special music from our amazing choirs ushering us into God’s presence as His thankful people. It will be a wonderful Thanksgiving service.
On Sunday, we will have a JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE at 10 am at NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL. I am grateful for Tom Remely and Marie Miller and the Chancel Choir will be there to lead the music. Mark Crumpler will wrap up our “The Lost Art of Thanksgiving” series. There will be no other programming on Sunday morning.
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King! His love endures forever. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your pastor and friend,
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Dr. Marnie Crumpler, Senior Pastor
PS. If you haven’t yet made your commitment to the 2019 Mission and Ministry of GRACE, I hope you will join in today. Click here.