November 22, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends

Sunday is the beginning of Thanksgiving week when we remember the trials and tribulations of the Mayflower Pilgrims. In England they were a persecuted religious minority. They arrived in America during winter. Half of their number died within a year. Plymouth Plantation struggled to become profitable, but failed. In 1692 it was incorporated into the Bay Colony. But today Plymouth, Massachusetts occupies a special place in American popular culture. It is the destination of about 1.5 million visitors from around the world every year and celebrated as “America’s Hometown.” Furthermore, the Mayflower Pilgrims are now larger than life American heroes, on an equal footing with America’s Founding Fathers.

Eventually Americans realized that America’s fundamental values have their roots in Puritanism. The gifts the Puritans bequeathed us are the political ideals of personal liberty and democratic self-government. More about this on Sunday morning.

SERMON: “Thanks to the Puritans” 

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:35-40

People of Faith in ages past were tortured, refusing to turn from God in exchange for their freedom. They placed their hope in a better life someday. Some were jeered and flogged. Others were chained and languished in prisons. Some were stoned to death, some were torn apart, and others were beheaded. Some lived as outcasts, destitute, oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. God intends to vindicate their suffering though our faithfulness, so that all of us will attain our ultimate goal together.

THANKSGIVING

by Chauncey R. Piety

Were thanks with every gift expressed,

Each day would be Thanksgiving;

Were gratitude its very best,

Each life would be thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This Service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/Vut97Z_JUjA?si=gyq8_bc6NtGjY9ll