Pastor Bob's Thanksgiving Message
Given on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
Given on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
I remember ten years ago coming to my first Ecumenical Service on the East Side. It was held at Announciata Catholic Church. The first person to greet me was Father James Keating. I got to know and respect him for ten years as the convener and leader in the annual tradition.
At this time last year, Father Keating was ill. He passed away in February. We had a memorial service for him in this sanctuary in late February.
On this Thanksgiving, I give thanks for Father Keating and his leadership in this ecumenical endeavor. I would like for us to offer a moment of silence in memory of him. (Silence)
My prayer tonight is that we keep this tradition alive as churches of this section of Chicago. One of my wishes is that the Christian give thanks this season.
I remember the first three verses of Psalm 136 1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;”
Let us give thanks not only at this time during the year, but always give thanks to God all year long.
I have a colleague who is a pastor in Canada. They celebrate Thanksgiving in October, about six weeks before us. In her sermon, she offered a reminder about giving thanks on a daily basis.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl
when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can
hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against
the morning light as long as possible, thank you,
Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off
rising, thank you Lord, that I have the strength to
rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is
hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and
tempers are short, my children are so loud
thank you, Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks
like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at
times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food
we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often
monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity
to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate
from day to day and wish my circumstances were
not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.*
Amen!
when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can
hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against
the morning light as long as possible, thank you,
Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off
rising, thank you Lord, that I have the strength to
rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is
hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and
tempers are short, my children are so loud
thank you, Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks
like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at
times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food
we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often
monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity
to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate
from day to day and wish my circumstances were
not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.*
Amen!
* (Our Daily Bread, February 20th 1994) Borrowed from The Rev. Mary White, Pastor, Grace United Church of Dunnville, ON, Canada, from Sermon, "Thanks Living", October 12, 2008.
