With all this talk of everyone’s Thanksgiving Dinner looking different this year, I thought I’d share a few ways you might try to “liven up” your gathering:
- When everyone goes around to say what they are thankful for, say, “I’m thankful I didn’t get caught,” and refuse to say anything more.
- Open the oven, shove a brick of velveeta into the turkey while it cooks. Tell mom it adds the coolest flavor.
- Suck your cranberry sauce loudly through a straw.
- Hold your nose while you eat.
- Recite the tragic and abusive conditions known to exist at turkey farms.
- Mid-meal turn to mom and say, “See mom, I told you they wouldn’t notice, you were worried for nothing”.
If you have any other suggestions I’d love to hear them! Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I just want to take a moment to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving and tell you how very thankful I am for you and for the privilege and honor of being your Pastor. Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3 are very real to me, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.”
Each year brings with it ups and downs, joys and sorrows, big & small changes – and 2020 has been no exception. Through it all, it is my prayer that we are a grateful people and just a little bit more like Jesus. It is my prayer, that in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of today and this weekend, that you will choose to see all the blessings in your life and be reminded that the greatest of those is that you belong to Jesus!
Read Ephesians 1:3-8 and be reminded of just some of your blessings today: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”
Whether you and your family are here in Charleston or out of town this weekend, I hope to see you at Coastal on Sunday – in-person or online! However, remember we are only having 1 in-person service this Sunday – 9:30am. As always, the service will be online at 9:30am, 11:15am, and 6pm. We kick off our “Christmas at Coastal” series on Sunday, December 6th. Take advantage of this season and this series and invite your friends to church!
Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. This weekend & the week ahead will see the largest traffic of onlline shopping of the year! While you’re shopping, don’t forget that you can also GIVE ONLINE. You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient! This would be a great weekend to give to our Christmas Offering! Simply use the keyword, “Christmas.”
