Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we gather our thoughts and prayers in the wake of the recent election, I am reminded once again of God’s sovereignty and the unchanging call He has placed on our lives: to be salt and light in the world, united in His truth, and focused on His mission.
Amazingly, there are some who call for forsaking family members who may have voted for an opposing side in the election. Friends, family is a treasure that is not one that should be walked away from regardless of political differences, ESPECIALLY if that family is one who loves Jesus!
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, I write with a heart full of gratitude and admiration for your faithful service to our country. The courage, dedication, and sacrifice you have shown are a profound reflection of God’s strength in action, and it is my honor to express my deep appreciation for all you have done in the name of peace and freedom.
As we gather again to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy for our blessings. As you know, this election year has had no shortage of drama, division, and declarations.
I imagine you are like me in being thankful to God for the church we attend together as the family of God right here in this area. Even though we may have differences along the way on various issues, one thing stands strong to unite our hearts together, and that is the cross of Jesus Christ!
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, my heart is filled with gratitude for each one of you and the unique blessings you bring to our church family. Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness, recognizing His hand in our lives, both in times of joy and in seasons of trial.
The words from Lamentations 3:22–24 (NKJV) resonate deeply with this spirit of thanksgiving:
Good morning, church family! It’s a joy to be gathered here today to worship and give thanks to the Lord. Today is an extra special day because we get the opportunity to celebrate someone very dear to our hearts: our pastor!
On this Pastor Appreciation Day, we pause to recognize the tireless dedication, love, and leadership our pastor pours into this congregation. From the powerful messages of faith and hope shared from the pulpit to the personal moments of encouragement and support, our pastor is truly a gift from God to each of us.