November 20, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

This Sunday marks the end of another Church year. It is also the beginning of Thanksgiving week when we remember the experience of the Mayflower Pilgrims who celebrated the First Thanksgiving in 1621,—400 years ago. It was to celebrate their first fall harvest after their first year in their new land. When they came ashore in November 1620 their first response was to fall on their knees and give thanks to God. Now they thanked God for bringing them through their first difficult year. They were truly a thankful people. May it be so of us their spiritual heirs.

Every day that we greet as a gift of God will be a happy day.  Gratitude the cornerstone of our nation’s founding, and undying gratitude is the foundation of our personal happiness.  It is only when we take the time to express gratitude for what we have that we experience the sense of contentment that we all seek.  True happiness lies in appreciating what we have more than in constantly striving for more.     

The Psalmist says, “Teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”  To count our days means that we will appreciate each one as a gift.  And if we have a wise heart we will certainly pause long enough every day to give thanks to God for all that he has brought into our lives.  Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20.

     SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 5:230 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18       

SERMON:  Only Gratitude Can Save Us

Be at peace among yourselves… See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

THEY FELL UPON THEIR KNEES AND THANKED THE GOD OF HEAVEN

“Being thus arrived, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and thanked the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth.

Ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: “Thank the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever.”

 William Bradford’s Journal, Of Plymouth Plantation.

THANKSGIVING

Heap high the board with plenteous cheer and gather to the feast,

And toast that sturdy Pilgrim band whose courage never ceased.

Give praise to that All-Gracious One by whom their steps were led,

And thanks unto the harvest’s Lord who sends our daily bread.

by Alice Williams Brotherton

Happy Thanksgiving to all,

Pastor Norm

 Pastor Norm’s sermon on Facebook: https://fb.watch/9qdLxLfTYu/