When Thankfulness Misses the Gospel: A Call to Christ-Centered Gratitude

[00:00:28] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thank you.
[00:02:37] Thank you.
[00:03:50] Let us pray.

[00:08:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Good morning everyone!
[00:08:17] Welcome to worship at Fairview.
[00:08:19] We're glad to have you here with us this morning.
[00:08:21] If you all will please stand and let's praise the Lord together.
[00:08:24] It'll be page 644 in your hymnal.
[00:08:27] Count your blessings.
[00:08:28] We'll be doing verse 1, 2, and 4.

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
When upon life's levels you are ten,
[00:08:51] Count your many blessings, make them one by one And it will surprise you what the Lord has done Count your blessings, make them one by one Count your blessings, see what God hath done Count your blessings, make them one by one
[00:09:20] Count your many blessings, see what God hath done Are you never burdened with a load of care?
[00:09:45] Does the cross declare who you are called to bear?
[00:09:46] Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly And you will be singing as the
[00:09:50] Count your blessings, make them one by one Count your blessings, see what God hath done Count your blessings, make them one by one Count your many blessings, see what God hath done
[00:10:16] In the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all.
[00:10:41] Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Count and comfort give you to your journeys end.
[00:10:43] Count your blessings, make them one by one,
[00:10:53] Amen.

[00:11:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
You may be seated and Christians come forward this morning.

[00:11:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Morning everybody.
[00:11:13] It is a beautiful day, I tell you guys, and it is a good day to be here.
[00:11:19] Like I said, welcome.
[00:11:20] If you're visiting here with us today, well, once again, welcome.
[00:11:24] We've got a little tear-off here in the bulletin.
[00:11:27] Feel free to fill that out.
[00:11:28] That's got information for all of our many ministries here, and then just so we can get in touch with you if you'd like.
[00:11:34] Whenever we pass around the offering plates, you can just feel free to put that in there.
[00:11:38] Let's continue to lift up our voices and whatnot, but let's also just have a word of prayer really quick over this service.
[00:11:44] Let us pray.
[00:11:46] Father, we thank you for just another beautiful day that you have given to us.
[00:11:50] We thank you for letting us be able to come together, being able to worship you, and being able to have fellowship, and being able to just come home, really, Lord God.
[00:12:00] We thank you for this, Lord God, and we thank you in your name we pray.
[00:12:04] Amen.

[00:12:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
I've heard a thousand stories on what they think you're like
[00:12:31] I've heard tender whispers of love in the day of night And you tell me that you're pleased and that I'm never alone You're a good, good father It's who you are, it's who you are
[00:13:02] I see many searching for answers Far and wide I know
[00:13:28] We're all searching for answers Will you grow by what you know?
[00:13:52] Just what we need before we Say a word to a new God It's who you are It's who you are It's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am
[00:13:59] You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways to us You are perfect in all of your ways
[00:14:29] You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways to love Oh, it's love so undeniable I, I can hardly speak
[00:14:57] Un-explainable light I can hardly think as you call me Deeper still as you call me Deeper still as you call me Deeper still into the blood of the Lord
[00:15:26] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:15:47] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:15:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:16:16] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:16:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Let us pray.

[00:16:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Our loving Heavenly Father, Lord, we bow once again this morning.
[00:16:45] Heavenly Father, we're just so thankful for all the blessings that you have brought our way.
[00:16:50] A time of thanksgiving, and dear Lord, we're most thankful today for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
[00:16:56] Heavenly Father, at this time in the worship service,
[00:16:59] We'd like to have this opportunity to give back, in Jesus' name, a portion of all the riches and blessings that you have bestowed upon us.
[00:17:08] And Lord, we just pray a special blessing upon these monies.
[00:17:11] And Lord, we just pray that it will break outside these walls, dear Lord, to reach those that especially are lost.
[00:17:18] Heavenly Father, again, we just ask for a blessing of our time together and a very special blessing upon Dale this morning as he brings your word.
[00:17:27] These things we pray in Christ's name.
[00:17:28] Amen.

[00:19:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Give thanks with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son Give thanks with a grateful heart
[00:20:02] To the Holy One Give thanks Because He's given Jesus Christ His Son Give thanks Give thanks
[00:20:32] With a grateful heart give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ
[00:20:57] With a grateful heart give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son And now let the weak say, I am strong
[00:21:26] Let the poor say I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us And now let the weak say I am strong Let the poor say

[00:21:56] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Because of what the Lord has done for us For us With a grateful heart give thanks With a grateful heart give thanks To the Holy One give thanks

[00:22:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Jesus Christ, dear Son, give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks
[00:22:50] Because He's given Jesus Christ His Son Dear Thanks Dear Thanks

[00:23:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Children, you may now go to Children's Church.

[00:24:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Good morning everyone.
[00:25:01] A blessing to be in this place today.
[00:25:03] If you have your Bibles with you, would you please take them and turn to 1 Thessalonians and chapter 5.
[00:25:13] 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse 18.
[00:25:30] The title of the message today is this, And Everything Give Thanks.
[00:25:38] 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 18.
[00:25:50] For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
[00:25:57] Beautiful passage, isn't it?
[00:26:01] One day Snoopy is getting dog food for his Thanksgiving and he's aware that everyone else is in the house having turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings.
[00:26:16] He meditates and talks to himself.
[00:26:19] As he looks down at his bowl of dog food he says to himself, how about that?
[00:26:25] Everybody else is having turkey and dressing
[00:26:30] and all I get is a bowl of dog food.
[00:26:34] He trots away, positions himself on top of his dog house and concludes, of course, it could have been worse.
[00:26:44] I could have been born a turkey.
[00:26:49] Little reflection helps Snoopy gain some insight and appreciation when it came to Thanksgiving.
[00:26:58] After some thought, well, Snoopy realized he did have a reason to be thankful.
[00:27:06] Even as a dog who only had a book to give.
[00:27:15] Paul writes to a group of early Christians.
[00:27:19] History tells us the church at Thessalonica was probably started around 50.
[00:27:30] This is the first letter that Paul wrote.
[00:27:39] He spent approximately...
[00:27:45] He then had to leave the city... because of heavy persecution.
[00:27:50] You see, Paul was hated...
[00:28:00] who was the message of his gospel Jesus Christ but in the time nation closing
[00:28:34] Rather, in everything.
[00:28:36] That means in every circumstance.
[00:28:42] In everything.
[00:28:47] Concerning.
[00:28:48] It means we have no excuse to be ungrateful.
[00:29:03] and everything that gives thanks refers to all things in the Christian life.
[00:29:26] In other words, thankfulness should be a part of the fabric of who we are as Christians.
[00:29:32] Thankful...
[00:29:47] Number one.
[00:30:02] ...told they still... ...Master, have mercy on us!
[00:30:36] Jesus did something for them that no one else could possibly do.
[00:30:52] Ten lives were changed then.
[00:31:00] No one stopped.
[00:31:22] I think, receiving, enjoying.
[00:31:38] Study the Old Testament.
[00:31:41] Find among His people.
[00:31:46] For example, from Egyptian bondage.
[00:31:52] and Recompense, Recompense, Recompense, Recompense.
[00:32:29] I didn't think God was doing enough.
[00:32:37] It seems to me, Israel had a gift.
[00:32:49] How many of us have food and clothing and shelter and health and jobs?
[00:32:59] ...generation, blessed in so many ways.
[00:33:03] ...like that old... ...one day with his wife... ...just...
[00:33:30] You've been such a helper, wonderful wife and helper all the time.
[00:33:42] While there are times I can hardly... God has blessings.
[00:33:58] Again, responses I can hardly keep from telling you.
[00:34:14] When it comes to God's blessings, it ought not to go without saying it.
[00:34:25] I thought about it last week.
[00:34:27] and then there are the spiritual blessings.
[00:34:31] Salvation by grace.
[00:34:38] Assurance.
[00:34:40] A peace that passes all understanding.
[00:34:46] Joy and hope.
[00:34:51] The promise of a heavenly home.
[00:35:10] Thanks.
[00:35:13] By obscure, I mean the small things in our lives.
[00:35:16] Things we tend to overlook and often take for granted.
[00:35:19] Things that may seem trivial or we think of little value or importance until we take a closer look.
[00:35:30] Have you ever noticed...
[00:35:31] I'll give you a few examples of what I'm talking about.
[00:35:41] 21.
[00:35:42] A widow's gift of two copper coins.
[00:35:46] Jesus uses as an example of sacrificial giving.
[00:35:51] Small.
[00:35:54] A little child.
[00:35:55] Matthew 18.
[00:35:57] About who is greatest in the kingdom of God.
[00:36:02] A tiny mustard seed.
[00:36:07] A beautiful picture of faith.
[00:36:10] And often people
[00:36:12] Great faith.
[00:36:13] Oh, I agree with you.
[00:36:17] We have faith in a great God.
[00:36:23] Little boy's lunch.
[00:36:27] God takes him miraculously.
[00:36:29] Talk about surprising it.
[00:36:37] Beautiful picture of God's presence.
[00:36:44] A little man named Zacchaeus who climbed up a tree to see the story, if you will, of whosoever will, let him come.
[00:36:55] Luke 19.
[00:36:56] And of course, a little baby born in an obscure village called Bethlehem.
[00:37:08] How often do we overlook the obscure, the simple blessings that come our way?
[00:37:14] I have learned many of us are running out of pace.
[00:37:21] We have little time to really stop.
[00:37:26] God, I've been retired for several years and I'm busier now than when I worked.
[00:37:35] Anybody find this true?
[00:37:39] And we get so caught up in everything.
[00:37:43] That we fail to see those simple blessings that God sends our way every day.
[00:37:54] Let me just give you a few simple blessings.
[00:38:00] Have you noticed... Notice that?
[00:38:08] It blesses your heart, don't it?
[00:38:11] How about a sunset and a sunrise?
[00:38:13] Have you taken the time lately to know what God does there?
[00:38:19] Moon and the stars.
[00:38:21] I went outside at 4 a.m. this morning and I looked up and I was awestruck.
[00:38:32] I saw several constellations.
[00:38:36] There was the Big Dipper or the Big Bear and the Little Bear.
[00:38:40] It was stunning.
[00:38:44] Look at that night sky.
[00:38:48] Here's one of my favorites, the laughter and giggle of a little child.
[00:38:51] That does something to me.
[00:38:54] I'm talking about the simple blessings that God sends our way that we often overlook.
[00:39:05] People are thankful for
[00:39:12] A real friend.
[00:39:14] Now I'm one of those who believes in life we have many acquaintances but we have few friends who will stand by you no matter what.
[00:39:28] Who will love you and support you even when you're wrong.
[00:39:33] Here's one of my favorites.
[00:39:36] A place to gather with fellow Christians and worship together.
[00:39:43] This past week I read about a man who decided to sell his house.
[00:39:50] He had a friend who was a realtor and asked him to drop by to assess his property, his home, and everything.
[00:39:58] He wanted an article that he could write in a newspaper as well as a real estate magazine.
[00:40:07] After the real estate agent finished the article, he called the man who wanted to sell it all
[00:40:12] and read to him or gave him a description of the article over the phone.
[00:40:18] The owner of the house then asked, would you please read that again?
[00:40:21] And he did.
[00:40:24] And then the owner of the house said something that surprised the realtor.
[00:40:27] He said, my house and property is no longer for sale.
[00:40:31] The realtor was stunned.
[00:40:35] The owner of the property went on to say, I've always wanted a place like the one you just described.
[00:40:42] But I never knew it until I heard you read it off to me.
[00:40:45] How many of us are like that man selling his property?
[00:40:50] We do not see the blessings of God often right under our noses.
[00:41:03] Sometimes it's the case where it's almost too late, isn't it?
[00:41:08] God help us to stop.
[00:41:11] In this crazy, busy world, and we're coming up on that time of the year when it gets busier and sometimes crazier than any other time of the year.
[00:41:23] Will we take time to stop all insignificant things that God sends our way to bless us and to help us live through every day?
[00:41:40] Thirdly and lastly, in all things of life.
[00:41:46] Now when I say objectionable, I mean when God allows trials and difficulties and tough times to come our way.
[00:41:54] I'm talking of life.
[00:42:01] This third particular topic for me, and let me tell you why.
[00:42:11] I don't like it.
[00:42:23] It comes to those and the ones that it's easier for me I love to see them suffer.
[00:42:39] Jesus told us
[00:42:40] In this world ye shall have tribulation, John 16, 33.
[00:42:44] He also warned us, if you follow me, you will suffer persecution, didn't he?
[00:42:53] Now add to that the trials and difficulties in daily life.
[00:43:02] I could not... Let me read that to you.
[00:43:45] My car didn't start.
[00:43:47] Well, just thank the Lord.
[00:43:49] Yeah, that's what most of us do, right?
[00:43:53] No.
[00:44:06] Just what I didn't want to hear.
[00:44:15] Let alone!
[00:44:20] Patience!
[00:44:23] The trials and difficulties are designed by God!
[00:44:30] But let patience have her perfect work, that she may be perfect, that is, mature and entire, wanting nothing.
[00:44:39] You see, hard times teach us something about God.
[00:44:43] But perhaps more importantly, it teaches us something about ourselves.
[00:44:49] If we'll let them.
[00:44:51] Over the years, I've been through many trials, many storms, tragedies, pains, heartache.
[00:44:57] And I must confess to you this morning, I cannot look back at one of those and think, I enjoyed it.
[00:45:03] Thank you, God.
[00:45:07] I have looked back after the trial.
[00:45:13] You could see God's hand every time.
[00:45:24] There were times I would survive.
[00:45:29] There were times I cried out to God, Why?
[00:45:33] Perhaps you've never been there.
[00:45:40] Times when I felt like God had turned a deaf ear to me.
[00:45:50] After the trial again, I would look back and I never failed to see God at work.
[00:45:56] How I'd grown and matured, better able to identify with others in need and in times of crisis, how my life had changed.
[00:46:05] Through the trials and difficulties, I ended up stronger than before.
[00:46:16] And as I thought about this last point, Job came to my mind.
[00:46:29] That probably doesn't surprise anybody.
[00:46:38] He lost everything.
[00:46:40] His wife says, why don't you just curse God and die?
[00:46:46] And I thought of that outline by the preacher I heard many years ago.
[00:46:49] What do you do at night in life when everything is going downhill and your wife won't treat you right?
[00:47:40] Do you know what I mean by sovereign?
[00:47:47] God is in absolute control.
[00:47:51] I remember that fellow who said in seminary, Has it ever occurred to you that nothing's ever occurred to God?
[00:47:59] Chew on that a minute.
[00:48:03] Sovereign.
[00:48:05] Incarnate.
[00:48:08] I didn't say we would understand everything.
[00:48:10] I want to trust Him no matter what comes our way, are we not?
[00:48:21] I've stood beside people amidst tragedy and heartbreak, sometimes unimaginable.
[00:48:29] I remember standing in the pulpit at Antioch
[00:48:33] Three family members in one accident of three coffins before me there that day.
[00:48:42] Heartbreaking.
[00:48:52] In the town of Enterprise, Alabama, there's a monument to the town square.
[00:48:59] No, it's not a Confederate general.
[00:49:01] It's not some southern statesman.
[00:49:04] But a boll weevil.
[00:49:07] A boll weevil is an insect that destroys cotton.
[00:49:11] In the early 1930s, the town and surrounding counties used cotton as its cash crop.
[00:49:18] Because of the boll weevil, they lost their cash crop for several years.
[00:49:24] But it was also because of the boll weevil the people of Enterprise, Alabama learned to diversify when it came to farming.
[00:49:32] They were forced to grow other crops like
[00:49:36] Peanuts and corn.
[00:49:38] So they erected a monument to the boll weevil to remind them that through terrible events good things can and do happen.
[00:49:56] Well, one more passage.
[00:50:03] First...
[00:50:09] If you have a moment, turn there.
[00:50:11] You might want to follow me on this.
[00:50:15] 2 Corinthians chapter 1.
[00:50:21] Striking points I want to make with you as I close or as I begin to close.
[00:50:26] Paul in writing to the ancient church at Corinth said this.
[00:50:30] I'm going to read it.
[00:50:32] I'm going to come back and make a closing.
[00:50:38] Paul and Apollos, and Timothy, our brother under the church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in Achaia.
[00:50:48] Isn't that beautiful?
[00:50:49] Did you know you're a saint?
[00:50:54] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father Jesus Christ.
[00:50:59] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father...
[00:51:04] and the God of all comfort who comforteth us in our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God where the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ and whether we be afflicted is for your consolation and salvation which is effectual in the enduring of the same suffering which we also whether we be comforted
[00:51:32] for your consolation and salvation and our hope of you is steadfast knowing that as you are partners of the suffering soul you shall be also of the consolation for we would not brethren have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired of life.
[00:51:56] In other words, Paul got down.
[00:51:57] Do you see that?
[00:52:04] But we have the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves that he who raiseth the dead, who delivered us from a great death, and doth deliver us, and whom we trust, that he will yet deliver us.
[00:52:18] Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
[00:52:32] Very quickly.
[00:52:34] Paul gives us at least three reasons why we go through things objectionable.
[00:52:40] Notice verse four.
[00:52:42] Look at it.
[00:52:44] That we may comfort.
[00:52:47] See that?
[00:52:50] Have you ever used one of your experiences that you went through to speak to someone else at their time of need?
[00:52:58] Secondly, that we might not trust in ourselves in verse nine.
[00:53:04] We do that sometimes too, don't we?
[00:53:07] Instead of trusting God, I can handle it.
[00:53:10] I'm a big boy.
[00:53:14] And thirdly, verse 11, that thanks may be given.
[00:53:18] Do you see that?
[00:53:24] I close with this.
[00:53:25] Matthew Henry, famous preacher of the Bible and scholar, once was accosted by thieves and robbers.
[00:53:33] And this is what he entered into his daily journal.
[00:53:36] And I quote.
[00:53:39] This is his quote in his daily journal.
[00:53:41] Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before.
[00:53:48] Second, because though they took my wallet, they didn't take my life.
[00:53:53] Third, because though they took my all, it wasn't much.
[00:54:00] And fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.
[00:54:06] Imagine that!
[00:54:07] Got robbed and has got something to thank God for!
[00:54:11] In all things obvious, give thanks.
[00:54:21] In all things obscure, give thanks.
[00:54:25] In all things objectionable, give thanks.
[00:54:29] Would you please bow with me this morning?
[00:54:33] Heavenly Father, help us to see your blessings regardless of the circumstances of life.
[00:54:44] We do not always understand why things happen, but we do understand you love us and you care for us as your children regardless of what takes place in our lives.
[00:54:57] Help us to trust you.
[00:54:59] Grant us peace and an extra measure of your sustaining grace no matter what might happen in our lives.
[00:55:10] Father, perhaps there's a Christian here this morning who just simply needs to come and pray.
[00:55:24] Maybe they need to come forward to pray for me.
[00:55:30] I just pray they have the liberty to move if the Spirit of God moves in our midst this morning.
[00:55:40] You may be speaking to someone here about giving their heart to Christ.
[00:55:46] I cannot think of a better time and place than for one to give their heart to Christ than right now.
[00:55:55] Father, in just a few moments we're going to stand together and we're going to sing.
[00:56:01] If that person needs to make their way out of the middle of the pew, let them come.
[00:56:05] Again, if they just need to come and bow, let them come.
[00:56:09] But if there's someone you're knocking on their heart about receiving Christ, I pray that you'll not let them leave this building until they surrender their all to the risen Savior.
[00:56:20] Blessed now, may you receive the honor
[00:56:24] and the glory and the praise for you are God.
[00:56:28] I pray in Christ's name.
[00:56:30] Amen.
[00:56:32] Would you please lead us in the same number?
[00:56:39] Would you please turn there and stand?
[00:56:42] If you come, I'll meet you down front.

[00:56:53] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:57:01] Amen.

[00:57:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Eros, salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

[00:57:34] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[00:57:36] This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
[00:57:58] Perfect division, perfect divide, Visions of rapture,
[00:58:02] Angels descending free from all harm.
[00:58:20] Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
[00:58:21] This is my story, this is my song.
[00:58:31] This is my song, praising myself.

[00:59:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Good morning.
[00:59:16] I have a recommendation from our deacon body.
[00:59:19] For Dale Wallace to become our interim pastor.
[00:59:23] We met this past week at a great meeting.
[00:59:26] And Dale has served as a full-time minister for many, many years.
[00:59:32] But he don't want to be a full-time minister anymore.
[00:59:34] He wants to serve in an interim capacity.
[00:59:37] So we're lucky to have the option to have Dale as an interim pastor.
[00:59:42] He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.
[00:59:46] And he came with a very high recommendation from our SBA director, Dr. Dan Merritt, who's here with us today.
[00:59:53] Pastor Dan.
[00:59:54] So, with that being said, according to our Constitution, you have to give a one-week notice before you vote.
[01:00:01] So I'm giving that notice today, and we'll vote after the service next Sunday, after the worship service.
[01:00:12] Yes, sir.
[01:00:14] Come on up here.

[01:00:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Good morning.
[01:00:26] I hope you do have much to be thankful for this morning.
[01:00:29] I always tell people it's good to be here.
[01:00:32] I'm getting to the age where it's good to be anywhere, but it is good to be in the house of the Lord.
[01:00:36] I speak to you this morning not as a former pastor, nor do I speak to you as a director of missions.
[01:00:44] I speak to you as a fellow church member.
[01:00:47] I have known Dale Wallace for a long time.
[01:00:50] He is one of the finest gentlemen
[01:00:54] and Preachers that I know.
[01:00:56] When he came to me and told me he was going to retire many years ago, I said, you will make one of the best interim pastors that I'll probably ever witness to be around.
[01:01:06] And that has proven to be so.
[01:01:08] He has been interim pastor of many churches in our association.
[01:01:12] Dale has a unique ability to take a ship that's tossed in the sea and making it go upright.
[01:01:20] And this church needs
[01:01:24] Direction and guidance from a man of great spiritual wisdom.
[01:01:29] And Dale Wallace to me is that man.
[01:01:32] So I speak very highly of him.
[01:01:35] To me, if you knew Sam O'Neill and Amos Daniels, he's a combination of both of them.
[01:01:41] That's a high compliment.
[01:01:45] I speak very highly of Dale and I appreciate the fact that this church is presenting him as interim pastor.
[01:01:53] And that is one of the key positions for a church as they make that transition between the last pastor and the next pastor.
[01:02:00] You know, Paul said, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth into those things which are before.
[01:02:07] You can't change the past, but you can do something about the future.
[01:02:11] And an interim pastor is key in bridging that gap and helping the ship to stay upright and helping the ship to go forward in the right direction.
[01:02:20] And I'm excited for the fact that the church is going to be voting for him.
[01:02:25] So pray about it, consider it, and God's got great things stored here if we just trust him, look to him, cling to him, and keep our eyes on Jesus.
[01:02:40] It's not about what I want, it's about what Jesus wants, and that's always the case.
[01:02:44] So, I just wanted to speak to your motion this morning, and God bless each of you, and have a very good Thanksgiving.

[01:02:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Thank you, Dan.
[01:03:00] Back to our sermon for a minute.
[01:03:03] Give thanks.
[01:03:05] Let me enjoy the sermon and raise you in.
[01:03:09] We've got so much to be thankful for.
[01:03:12] I've got a few announcements before we close.
[01:03:15] Cheryl asked me to announce that today's the last day, if you want a poinsettia, order forms and envelopes are in the back and place them in the box that says poinsettia orders.
[01:03:26] Another thing she had was next Sunday's the last day to bring macaroni and cheese for the Foothills Food Pantry.
[01:03:33] These are for their food boxes for needy families.
[01:03:37] and some reminders here Christmas Cantata Sunday December 7th during 11 o'clock worship service Children's Christmas program Sunday December 14th during 11 o'clock worship service and our Christian Christmas luncheon will also be on the 14th following our 11 o'clock service no services this coming Wednesday night including choir practice
[01:04:02] Cheryl wanted me to get some help after church to move the modesty panel and bring up some stuff for the nativity scene.
[01:04:09] So if a couple of guys or four or five guys want to help with that, it won't take about maybe 10 minutes.
[01:04:14] And that pretty much covers our announcements.
[01:04:16] Does anybody got anything else before we close?
[01:04:22] All right, if you will please stand for our closing prayer.
[01:04:29] And thinking about that this week and about the closing prayer, just like Dale said, we're in the Thanksgiving season and getting close to entering into the Christmas season, I made a list of some things I want us to pray for.
[01:04:46] First of all, needy families, and especially children.
[01:04:51] You heard Conchita last Sunday talking about the shoeboxes and the places they go, the people they help, and you know,
[01:05:00] It's hard for us to comprehend that one of our children would have got a box for Christmas.
[01:05:07] Amen?
[01:05:10] Remember our missionaries serving around the world.
[01:05:13] Remember our military also serving around the world.
[01:05:17] Remember our first responders who are on call 24-7.
[01:05:20] Remember the sick that need prayer and healing.
[01:05:26] Remember our families and our friends who have recently lost loved ones.
[01:05:32] Remember our pastor search committee.
[01:05:35] Remember our church for peace and hope and clarity moving forward.
[01:05:40] And most importantly, please pray for the lost.
[01:05:43] Let's pray.
[01:05:45] Heavenly Father, as we come to you today, Lord, with a grateful heart and a heart filled with joy,
[01:05:52] Thank you, Lord, for our family.
[01:05:57] Thank you, Lord, for our children, our grandchildren.
[01:06:01] Thank you, Father, for just being our God.
[01:06:05] Lord, you are a wonderful God.
[01:06:06] You are the master of the universe.
[01:06:07] And, Father, I pray that you just guide this church.
[01:06:11] I pray, Father, you guide us individually.
[01:06:14] And I pray, Father, that you send our new pastor soon.
[01:06:18] Lord thank you for just guiding us this day and being with us this morning through this this service and as we talked about Thanksgiving Lord you have truly blessed this church you've truly blessed us individually and Lord I pray for those continued blessings upon us and upon our church and I pray Father that as we go out these doors today that you convict our hearts and our minds and help us to look for people that are lost and help us to
[01:06:45] Have doors that are opened to where we can witness to somebody that don't know you.
[01:06:50] And Father, as we close this day, I want to thank you for every single person that's here this day.
[01:06:56] I pray, Lord, that you'll bless them for being in your house this day.
[01:07:00] And Lord, I pray that they'll all come back again.
[01:07:02] For it's in your holy name I pray.
[01:07:04] Amen.