Enter the Lord’s house with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise. Give thanks to the Lord; bless God’s holy name. For the Lord is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever. God will be faithful to all generations.
—Psalm 100:4-5

With all the things that clamor for your attention and demand your precious resources of time, talent, and treasure, you might be tempted to be discouraged, frustrated, or just bone tired. If you feel these things, you are not alone! These are natural but not the only responses and far from our best options for a life of joy, wonder, and purpose.

Psalm 100 teaches that wherever you are and whatever is happening in your life, the quickest way to experience God’s presence is gratitude. Christian author G.K. Chesterton wrote more than 100 books. One of the themes running throughout his life and every one of his books is his commitment to practice wonder in response to everyday experiences of people, things, and events in his life. “He vowed to never give in to monotony and boredom, which saps the lives of so many of joy and purpose.” 1

I hope that you’ll join me this month to take this vow and fiercely chase after a life of gratitude. This pathway will lead us into God’s presence with wonder and, simultaneously, out into the world with generosity and justice.

“Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder!”—G.K. Chesterton

So, here’s the challenge – grow in delight for the people and moments and things all around you every day from now until Thanksgiving Day by committing to the following practices…

1. Begin a gratitude journal today.

2. Slow down enough each day to notice how each breath, each person, each moment is a gift from God. Seek God’s presence, power, and blessings in these little moments and write about your gratitude in them and for them.

3. Slow down enough each day to be generous with your time, your love, your resources so that others will see in you the very real blessings of God and be grateful themselves.

4. Share your stories with others about how noticing the blessings of God and becoming the blessing of God for others is changing you.

Friends, gratitude is the bedrock upon which healthy relationships and societal teamwork are built. Our trust in one another and sacrifice for the common good grows with our gratitude. It is a mindset and a way of life that begins with our intentional commitment to see the world and all the people in it as good and worthy of our love. The world needs our gratitude now more than ever.

Remember, I’m grateful for you. I’m pulling for you and praying for you every day. We’re all in this together!

Christian Stewardship -
The Secret of Life

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you lived completely without fear or need? Is it possible to be entirely caught up in God’s abundant generosity? What would the world be like if you had enough time for the people around you, enough resources to share generously, enough energy to serve joyfully, and enough courage to speak and work for mercy with justice? Is such a life possible? The Bible says it is. Join Pastor Jim this fall to learn to trust God more and live the secret of life!

November 2
All Saints Sunday
Join us to remember and celebrate the saints who have gone before us in faith. A beautiful service of communion and candlelight.

Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 19:1-10; Luke 6:27-31 and 37-38; Psalm 23:5a

November 9
Stewardship Week 3
My Cup Overflows!
Psalm 23:5b

November 16
Consecration Sunday
Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me
Philippians 4:11-13 and 18-19;
Psalm 23:6

November 23
No Need, No Fear!
Isaiah 41:9-10; John 10:17-18; Philippians 4:10-11; Psalm 23:4

November 30
Advent 1