The Pastor’s Pen
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:1-2
Bless the Lord! In other words, praise the Lord, worship the Lord, give thanks to the Lord. What an appropriate verse for the month of November, a month when we emphasize both stewardship and thanksgiving!
On Thanksgiving Eve, November 27, at 7:00 p.m. we will gather in the sanctuary for a service of thanksgiving and praise. We will take time, during this special service, to thank God for the gifts we have received as individuals, as a congregation, and as a nation.
As Christians, of course, we are grateful for the most precious gift of all, the gift of a Savior who frees us from our sins and gives us life everlasting with God. It is altogether right and good that we take time to say thank you to God. That’s what our Thanksgiving Eve worship service will give us the opportunity to do.
But it’s not only with songs and prayers offered in worship that we are able to express our gratitude to God. It’s also with our whole lives, with all of our being. As the psalm writer says, “All that is within me bless his holy name.”
On Commitment Sunday, November 24, we will have the opportunity to declare our intention to indeed give praise and thanks to God with all of our being. Our financial commitment to the work of the church, and our commitment of our time and abilities, is a way of putting our gratitude to God into practice. It’s a way of responding faithfully and thankfully to all of God’s gifts.
Have you been blessed by God? Have you received gifts from God’s gracious hand? Then you are invited to join us on Thanksgiving Eve as we gather to give God worship and praise. And you are invited to join us, too, as we declare our intention on Commitment Sunday to support God’s work in and through our congregation.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
See you in worship!
Pastor Selbo
