November 28, 2024 - Thanksgiving!

 Thanksgiving!

The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

And You give them their food in due season.

You open Your hand

And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Psalm 145:15-16

Last Sunday, Pastor Bill asked the congregation what their favorite holiday was, and several people said "Thanksgiving!"  I have to agree, this is one of my favorite times of year as well!

As we put the political season behind us, we need to remember that the National Holiday of Thanksgiving was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863

... at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.”  History.com

If we ever needed healing as a nation, it is now! We pray that God will heal our nation, and bring us unity and domestic peace as we individually share God's love and mercy with our families and everyone that we meet.

Advent

Following on the heels of Thanksgiving will be Advent which begins on Sunday, December 1, and runs through December 24.  Over the last couple years First United Methodist of West Plains has done an Advent Blog of devotions by various members of our congregation.  The shaded countries on the map below show how far our devotions have reached over the last two years.  

What really surprised me was the number of reads that we had in Russia and China last year.  It is amazing to think that the thoughts from our little congregation in a small town in south central Missouri could reach so far around the world.

I am praying that our blog posts this year can reach even farther.  I am so thankful for all the people that have volunteered, and I am really looking forward to their impressions of the scriptures.  I also want to thank our congregation and our readers for making these blogs a success over the last 2 years.

One of my favorite Thanksgiving songs is Jean Berger's The Eyes of All.  I hope you enjoy listening to this beautiful piece.

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson