A Time to Give Thanks!

November is the month we set aside to slow down from our hectic schedules and lives to give thanks for all we have been blessed with. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why we seem to do this only once a year. We have so much to be thankful for!

I do want to challenge you in the area of giving, since the month is about thanks“giving!” A couple of weeks ago for the first time all year our church fell behind in our budget contributions. I realize we are in the midst of tough times economically. The approach I want to take with you is one of helping you to realize just how much “giving” we are able to do as a church family because of your “giving”.

Let me share with some of the things your giving has enabled this body of believers to do in the name of Christ. One Saturday a month we go to Ft. Worth to feed and clothe the homeless. In August we provided school supplies, haircuts, and other essentials for children to head back to school. We provide all types of activities for teenagers and children of our community on a weekly basis. We even help people who are struggling financially with their bills. The list could go on and on and on…. What a privilege to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live! With the help of Christ we are making a difference!

I say all of that to challenge you in the area of “giving!” It takes money often times to be able to do ministry. If we begin to struggle financially as a church, we will not be able to be as effective as we have been in the past. So I have a challenge for you. Here it is!

I want to designate Sunday, November 22nd as Harvest Sunday at FBC Grandview. I want us to pack the house that morning to be able to have a time of praise for what God has done in our midst as well as have a time of sacrificial giving for the ministry needs of our church. I do not want to set goals for the number of people or amount of money we need to raise, because I trust that the Holy Spirit will work in each of our lives, and we will be obedient to what we are individually called to do. I know in the past if there has been a need in the church whether to renovate the sanctuary, buy the bus, build a playground or other special needs we have given above and beyond our means. I challenge you with this thought . . . is there a greater need than to share Christ with the people around us? Our giving will enable us to do just that!

We have been in a sermon series called Power in Life on Sunday mornings and have seen the power of God at Pentecost. I pray for that same type of movement in Grandview. May November 22nd be that type of day for Grandview! Be praying now for that day of worship and the result of what our obedience to God will be!

Happy Thanks“giving!”