Give Thanks and Celebrate!
“0 give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to the Lord, sing praises to our God, tell of all God’s wonderful works! Glory in God’s holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Ascribe to the Lord, 0 families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come before him! Worship the Lord in holy array; tremble before him all the earth; yes, the world stands firm, never to be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, the Lord reigns! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it, let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. 0 give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (lChronicles 16: 8-10; 28-34)
So sung the Israelites as they carried the Ark of the Covenant into the holy city of Jerusalem! Our song of praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving joins with theirs at this time, as we celebrate God’s amazing blessings and new life in our midst.
Last year at this time we prepared for our annual meeting. We prayed to God for healing for our family of faith at that time. We had just come through a time of conflict. Our community of faith -the body of Christ here at First Lutheran - had been deeply wounded. Now, a year later, we have experienced God’s amazing healing, forgiveness, and new life. Thanks be to God!
We have seen this new life in many ways, but I wish to highlight a few causes for rejoicing! First, our worship is a cause for rejoicing.
continues to grow once again.