From the Pastor's Desk

A Heart of Thanksgiving

November, 2026

November naturally turns our attention toward Thanksgiving. It is a season to reflect on the blessings we have received and the people God has placed in our lives. Yet biblical thankfulness is more than an annual tradition. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Gratitude should be a regular part of our lives, helping us recognize God's goodness in every season.

This year, I have some particular reasons to be thankful. As I spend the first three weeks of November on sabbatical, I am grateful for our elders, who recognized my need for rest and renewal and encouraged me to take this time. Their care is a reminder that even those serving in ministry need opportunities to rest and recharge, something I would encourage each of you to make room for in your own lives. I am also deeply thankful for our church family. Many of you gave financially to make this sabbatical possible, while others have stepped forward to serve and ensure that the work of God's church continues in my absence. Your generosity, encouragement, and willingness to serve are blessings I do not take for granted. Thank you!

As you consider your own reasons for thankfulness this month, I would encourage you to go beyond simply recognizing them. Take time to express your gratitude. Is there someone who has encouraged you, supported you through a difficult season, or quietly served you without recognition? Tell them! Have a conversation, write a card, or make a phone call. Paul regularly expressed his gratitude for fellow believers, writing in Philippians 1:3, "/ thank my God eve,y time I remember you." We should do the same. A few sincere words of appreciation may be exactly the encouragement someone needs to hear.

Above all, let us remember that our greatest reason for thanksgiving is found in what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. We were sinners in need of salvation, unable to reconcile ourselves to God, yet He graciously provided what we could never accomplish on our own. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." Our salvation is an undeserved gift, purchased through the death and resurrection of Christ. How should we respond to such grace? Not merely with words of appreciation, but with lives of grateful obedience. As Paul urges us in Romans 12:1, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in view of God's mercy. Our gratitude for salvation should shape how we worship, serve, love, and live each day.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, may we be intentional about recognizing God's blessings, expressing our appreciation to others, and remembering the grace we have received in Christ. May our thankfulness extend well beyond November, becoming a defining characteristic of our lives as we seek to honor the One from whom every good gift comes 

 -Pastor Mike Schoenfeld