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What are you thankful for?

Posted on by James Deaton
Children choir singing
~ image by Robert Kneschke from Canva

Rev. Dean Prentiss, superintendent of the Greater Southwest District, asks us to pause and give thanks to God for all that we’ve been given.

DEAN PRENTISS
Superintendent, Greater Southwest District

Mrs. Bortner was our youth choir director at Troy: First UMC when I grew up in the 1970s and 80s. God bless her and her patience with us as the boys’ voices changed from alto to bass and back to alto in a single stanza.

Mrs. Bortner taught us the joy of singing. She took the time to teach us how to harmonize and cherish the songs of our faith. Best of all, she loved us, wanted to spend time with us, and was thankful for us.

“Give thanks to the Lord always, again I say rejoice! (clap, clap)
Give thanks to the Lord always, again I say rejoice! (clap, clap)
Rejoice! Rejoice! Again, I say rejoice! (clap, clap)
Rejoice! Rejoice! Again, I say rejoice! (clap, clap)”

If you started to sing and clap to the lines above, say a prayer of thanks for the person who taught it to you. Thank God for the people who were part of your choir. Be thankful for the peace a song can bring when you most need it. Clap, clap!

During this season of gratitude, I asked the people of the Greater Southwest District what made them thankful. Here are some of their responses:

    • I’m so very thankful for all of the gratitude folks expressed for Pastor Appreciation Month. Parishioners even decorated the church’s bell tower!
    • I’m thankful for colleagues in ministry. Whenever I face a new challenge, God provides wise siblings in Christ to come alongside me.
    • Salvation through our Lord Jesus is Number One!
    • My two daughters and their families and my church family friends are continual sources of joy and support, as well as my study Bible. I’m grateful my daughters are active Christians.
    • The opportunity to serve the Lord on my church’s mission committee is another reason I’m thankful because our church is very mission-oriented, currently helping to support 10 missionary families serving as far away as Papua New Guinea and as close as Grand Rapids.
    • I’m grateful that my church family has a big heart to help support the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Barry County Cares (which helps local people with a variety of needs), the Barry County Jail Ministry program, and Spiritual Care Consultants of West Michigan (based in Hastings and serving adults and children).
    • I’m thankful for nice and helpful neighbors and, of course, for food, clothing, and my home.
    • The opportunity to occasionally write Christian-oriented articles for our local paper is fun for me, and I’m thankful that God gives me chances to do that.
    • I am thankful for my son and my supportive spouse.
    • I am thankful for a leadership board and congregation who wholeheartedly support my participation in the Practical Church Leadership program through Dakota Wesleyan University.
    • I am thankful for all in the congregation who are supporting me through projects and assignments that are benefiting them and me in profound ways. Together, we are planting seeds for the future.
    • I am thankful to be the Greater Southwest District’s superintendent, and to celebrate the Spirit alive and well all around us.

So, what are you thankful for today? Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Clap, clap!

Last Updated on November 27, 2024

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The Michigan Conference