“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High, to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.” Psalm 92:1-2 NRSV
I’ll admit Thanksgiving Day isn’t exactly what it used to be. Time changes many things, new traditions develop, and certain practices drift into the past. Call me sentimental, but I miss the times spent with family around the dinner table at my grandparents’ home. The family was large enough to fill the kitchen and formal dining room as well as a card table in the living room and even then called for the addition of a couple of TV trays. My grandparents’ home was the hub of family activities. It was a space filled with love, laughter, eating, sleeping, and usually a ballgame on the television. Afternoons often included a walk to the backside of the farm and, occasionally, a combine ride if the late soybeans were being harvested.
Much has changed in the past several years: my grandparents have passed on, the cousins have families of our own, and the remnants of the farm have given up soybeans for houses. Yes, life has evolved, but I’m thankful for the memories. It’s as that quote often attributed to Dr. Seuss states, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Looking back on my life, I’ve much for which to smile because I’ve truly been blessed. I haven’t lived in the lap of luxury and things haven’t always gone the way I envisioned, but God has been good. As one church member often reminds us in worship and Bible study, “God’s always good!” Our times and circumstances may not always seem good, but God never ceases to be good.
Yes, we’ve much for which to give thanks. If you’re reading this, you’ve made it to a new day. If you haven’t missed a meal due to a lack of resources, you’ve been fed. If you’re not fearful for where you’ll lay your head this evening, you’re secure. If someone’s done something unexpected for your benefit, you’ve been loved. Space won’t permit me to lay out all of the scenarios which indicate blessings in our lives, but you get the idea. An attitude of gratitude is born out of perspective. I challenge you to pray for your perspective as we go through the month of November. I do so because it’s the month in which Thanksgiving Day falls in the United States, but also in order that it might be the beginning of thanksgiving all the year through for us as Christians. The more you and I do something, the more natural it becomes to us. This goes not only for riding a bicycle or learning to play the piano, it’s true of thanksgiving. If we practice thanksgiving, we’ll, over time, became a more thankful people.
As we enter November, I’m thankful for the opportunities which are before us to worship, serve, be discipled, fellowship, and work together for the good of the Kingdom. Most of you are aware that we gather with Lucama Global Methodist Church and Lamm’s Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church for Ash Wednesday and during Holy Week. However, this fall/winter, we are joining together for something new: the observance of Thanksgiving as well as Christmas as a community. On Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00, we will gather at Lucama Methodist for worship featuring special music by the Little Rock chancel choir, preaching by the Reverend Tony Hawley, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. On Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00, we will gather at Little Rock for worship featuring special music by the Lamm’s Grove choir, preaching by the Reverend Joe Stallings, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. This latter service is not a substitution for Christmas Eve as we will have our traditional “Candlelight Communion” service on the 24th.
Another thing which has brought thanks to my heart in recent weeks is your reception of those who’ve been visiting with us in worship, Sunday school, and Bible study. Relationships go a long way in determining whether or not people will return to a church service. The preaching, teaching, and music can be amazing, but a lack of attention from congregants can send the message, “You aren’t welcome here.” In 2024, we have had a number of people visiting with us with many of them having been complimentary of your hospitality toward them. As we’re winding down the year and looking toward the new one, please keep this up and also encourage others to come with you to church. We all know people who are unchurched, unsaved, or have been made to feel unwelcome in other churches. Let’s be a place where people can come and truly experience “Christianity is caring!”
Together in Christian Service,
The Reverend Kelley Smart