How can we be thankful at a time when there are so many bad things happening? In the middle of the devastating American Civil War, Pres. Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day, to give thanks for the good that was still happening outside of the military conflict. In today’s message, Pastor Linda encourages us to take time to show gratitude, as it can change our attitude!
Our services are being held with in-person attendance at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Today’s service is provided below in its entirety in video format. Note that closed captioning is available when “CC” appears in white at the bottom of the video panel. Click the CC to see the text; as it is done with an automated service, there may be errors in transcription.
Our Scripture Reading is 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NRSV. The book of First Thessalonians was one of the first letters written by Paul that we have in our Bible. Written around 51 AD, when Paul was in Corinth, he was giving encouragement and answering questions of the young church in Thessaloniki (in modern-day northern Greece). One of their questions was about the end times, as there was a belief that Jesus’s resurrection was the beginning of the end, and thus he would be returning soon for the final judgment. In today’s reading, Paul makes the point that although the end of times is unknown, it will likely be sudden, and therefore we should live a moral life now, so that we are prepared for anything, any time.
 The message today from Pastor Linda is “The Gift of Gratitude” Pastor Linda challenges us to create a 30-day “Gratitude Notebook,” daily adding something we’re thankful for. Don’t repeat any entries! It will start out easy, but as you work your way through the 30 days it will become more challenging. Lean into it and see where it takes you! At the end of the 30 days, she encourages those who met the challenge to write a brief article for our next Good News newsletter about the impact this practice had on you. |
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is the one true Church whose faith we support with our prayers, our presence, our giving, our witness and our service.
Our offering is given to the mission and ministry of MHUMC. Remember our gifts come from us, as the people of God, for the work of God, to the Glory of God in the world.
I invite you to give generously, as we worship God through sharing our gifts, tithes, and offerings.
In addition, today is United Methodist Student Day. (This is one of 6 Special Sundays we celebrate to unite and make clear the commitment of the church as the people of God, and to give all the opportunity to participate in special programs supported and approved by the Church.) You may send a check to MHUMC with “UM Student Day” in the memo line, or give online via credit/debit card at ResourceUMC.org/SSGive.
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Credits and copyrights
- “We Gather Together” words from Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, trans. by Theodore Baker; music 16th century Dutch melody, arr. by Edward Kremser. Public domain. CCLI song #2763842, CCLI License #2718708.
- “For the Beauty of the Earth” words by Folliot S. Pierpoint, music by Conrad Kocher, arr. by H. Monk. Public domain. CCLI song #43200, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Seek Ye First” words and music by Karen Lafferty. ©1972 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.); Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). CCLI song #1352, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Now Thank We All Our God” words by Martin Rinkart, trans. by Catherine Winkworth, music by Johann Cruger, harm. by Felix Mendelssohn. Public domain. CCLI song #86638, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Give Thanks” words and music by Henry Smith. © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music). CCLI song #20285, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music from Geistliche Kirchengesänge. Public domain. CCLI song #1364029, CCLI License #2718708.
- “The Lord Bless and Keep You” words and music by Jim Strathdee. © 1981 Strathdee Music (Admin. by Desert Flower Music). CCLI song #7152110, CCLI License #2718708.
- All other text on this page © The United Methodist Church of Morgan Hill.