Everybody rushes the holidays. In July they are already celebrating Christmas. I do not like rushing the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. Except for all the work on the meal, it is a relatively quiet, relaxing and
reflective holiday. I was reading through an article, and I found this prayer for Thanksgiving, It was written by Mary Fairchild.

Heavenly Father on Thanksgiving Day, we bow our hearts to You and pray. We give you thanks for all that You have done, especially for your gift of Jesus, Your Son. For beauty in nature, Your glory we see, for joy and health, friends and family. For daily provision. Your mercy and care. These are the blessings you graciously share. So today we offer this response of praise with a response to follow You all our days. Amen

With this newsletter is a praise booklet. It has a weekly Scripture to read, reflect and apply so that His word becomes part of our lives. Then each day in the morning and evening there is a space to reflect on God’s work in your life and to give thanks. By the end of the month, you will be able to create a wonderful thanksgiving prayer as you gather for a meal with friends and family. If you would like a copy of the booklet please contact Ilona. If you have no one to gather with please let me know or your deacon know. You need not spend this day alone.

I want to give a big shout-out and THANK YOU to the Kid’s Club volunteers and to Shelley and her coordination of this ministry. It has been a very meaningful time for me to spend time getting to know some of the children in our area. For grandparents and aunts and uncles, one of the children told me that he loves when his grandmother comes for dinner. He enjoys the meal and then when they get ready for bed she always tells them a Bible story. This young 3rd grader brought me to tears. Remember age doesn’t matter when we make ourselves available to God. Be ready to be available to young and old around us. God desires to use us.

Love and Prayers in Jesus,
Ilona