Last Sunday we remembered the saints from our church that
have entered the Communion of Saints around the throne. I was part of the Home going Celebration for
several of them. Some of them were
veterans. They were honored with an
American Flag over their casket, which was presented to the family at the
graveside. It is always a moving moment
for me when the family is presented the flags with the words, “On behalf of a
grateful country…” We should be
grateful.
This Friday, November 11th, our nation celebrates
Veterans Day. This is an opportunity to
express our gratitude to those who have served in our nation’s Armed
Forces. During each of our worship
services this Sunday we will recognize our veterans. Because of the sacrifices they made, we have
the freedoms we enjoy in this country.
It is also true that our freedom from sin and death came at
a cost. As Paul wrote to Timothy,
“[Jesus] gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6a; NLT) Our freedom was purchased at great cost. That is the reason the German Theologian
Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to grace as “costly grace.” This unconditional acceptance, that we call
grace, cost Jesus His life on the cross.
How do you say thanks for such a costly gift? Over and over in the scriptures we see that
God’s unconditional acceptance brought forth a response of repentance,
re-commitment and worship. Jacob
responded by committing a tithe of all that God would bless Him with. Isaiah responded with confession, and then a
commitment to serve, “Here I am, send me.”
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, will
be Commitment Sunday. It is appropriate
for Commitment Sunday to fall on Thanksgiving Sunday. The best expressions of Thanksgiving go
beyond words. We thank God for His
amazing grace by giving God our very selves.
Like Jacob we pledge our tithe and like Isaiah we surrender, “Here I am,
send me.”
This Sunday afternoon, November 13th, will be a
wonderful opportunity for Christian Fellowship.
The Tailgate Party begins at 3:30.
Bring food for your family or join with your small group or Sunday school
class to share a meal together. Also
bring a game or two to involve people in fellowship. Then at 5:15, we gather for worship. Martin Houston, who played on the 1992
Championship Team at the University of Alabama, will be the preacher.
If you have not picked up a box and instructions for
Operation Christmas Child, they are available in the welcome areas. The boxes need to be returned by November 20th,
so they can begin their journey to the children who will receive them at
Christmas.
As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
have entered the Communion of Saints around the throne. I was part of the Home going Celebration for
several of them. Some of them were
veterans. They were honored with an
American Flag over their casket, which was presented to the family at the
graveside. It is always a moving moment
for me when the family is presented the flags with the words, “On behalf of a
grateful country…” We should be
grateful.
This Friday, November 11th, our nation celebrates
Veterans Day. This is an opportunity to
express our gratitude to those who have served in our nation’s Armed
Forces. During each of our worship
services this Sunday we will recognize our veterans. Because of the sacrifices they made, we have
the freedoms we enjoy in this country.
It is also true that our freedom from sin and death came at
a cost. As Paul wrote to Timothy,
“[Jesus] gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6a; NLT) Our freedom was purchased at great cost. That is the reason the German Theologian
Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to grace as “costly grace.” This unconditional acceptance, that we call
grace, cost Jesus His life on the cross.
How do you say thanks for such a costly gift? Over and over in the scriptures we see that
God’s unconditional acceptance brought forth a response of repentance,
re-commitment and worship. Jacob
responded by committing a tithe of all that God would bless Him with. Isaiah responded with confession, and then a
commitment to serve, “Here I am, send me.”
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, will
be Commitment Sunday. It is appropriate
for Commitment Sunday to fall on Thanksgiving Sunday. The best expressions of Thanksgiving go
beyond words. We thank God for His
amazing grace by giving God our very selves.
Like Jacob we pledge our tithe and like Isaiah we surrender, “Here I am,
send me.”
This Sunday afternoon, November 13th, will be a
wonderful opportunity for Christian Fellowship.
The Tailgate Party begins at 3:30.
Bring food for your family or join with your small group or Sunday school
class to share a meal together. Also
bring a game or two to involve people in fellowship. Then at 5:15, we gather for worship. Martin Houston, who played on the 1992
Championship Team at the University of Alabama, will be the preacher.
If you have not picked up a box and instructions for
Operation Christmas Child, they are available in the welcome areas. The boxes need to be returned by November 20th,
so they can begin their journey to the children who will receive them at
Christmas.
As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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