There is so much to give thanks to God for each and every day. He is the one who provides our daily needs and sustains our lives. He gives us relationships, with himself and with each other. He is with us in the midst of challenges and hardships, providing comfort, peace and hope. It is good for us to regularly come before God and celebrate his goodness. This should be a daily and weekly discipline but it is also good for us to set aside special times to make this an even greater focus. On 17th November we are holding Thanksgiving Services where we can express our thanks in two specific ways.
Firstly, we will have the opportunity to give public testimony of what we are thankful for; to share with the church community what God has done in our lives. I always find this an encouraging and inspiring time! Please share your own story of thanks with us.
Secondly, we have our Thanksgiving Appeal. In the Old Testament, God’s people gave both tithes and offerings. Tithes were a tenth of one’s income (or crops or livestock) given regularly for the work of ministry in the temple. On top of this was the opportunity to give another offering, an expression of thankfulness and love to God. This gave an opportunity to show generosity in giving over and above the regular gift. That is what our Thanksgiving Appeal is all about. As a tangible expression of our thankfulness to God, we are giving over and above our regular support for mission and ministry. It is a gift that should be given freely and joyfully, not with a sense of compulsion. It is a powerful expression of our dependence on God, our love for him, and our thankfulness for all he has provided in the past year.
If you’d like to make a contribution to our Thanksgiving Appeal, you can do so using the button below, or head to the Info Hub for other options.