 | ||
November 29, 2024 | ||
Dear Church Family, It is good to stop and remember all that we have to give thanks for. I’m glad we have a holiday dedicated to thanksgiving. James reminds us that, at the end of the day, God is the source of all good things in our lives.
What do you have to give thanks for this year? How has God provided for you? How has He led you and protected you? Have you taken time to thank the Lord in prayer? Thanksgiving is a huge theme in the Psalms. There are many reasons and ways the psalmists express their gratitude to the Lord. I was reading through some of these Psalms and came across two that made me stop and think. The first comes from Psalm 107, a Psalm dedicated to thanksgiving.
I’ve read this psalm countless times and focused on God’s steadfastness as a reason to give thanks. But something so basic, yet so profound, is God’s goodness. It’s something we often take for granted, but our whole existence and future is tied to God’s goodness. What if God was evil? What if He was treacherous or untrustworthy? Any goodness in our life is completely tied to the fact that God is good. We can give thanks because God is good!
I love the reminder that God is near to us. No matter what we face or where we are, God is available and near to those who cry out to Him. We’re reminded of this in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We can only draw near to Him because of the grace and forgiveness we find in Christ. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and get right with God. But that offer is always there. For that, we can give thanks!
What’s Happening at Gospel Life:Youth Group: We won’t have youth group this Sunday. Join us back on Sunday, December 8th, from 5-7 pm at the Bronleewes’ house. Men’s Breakfast: Men and boys are invited to join us at Warehouse Cafe (8600 Birch Ln #300 Nampa, Idaho 83687) on Saturday, December 7th from 8-10 am. Please bring a pastry or simple breakfast item to share. Coffee and beverages will be available for purchase at the cafe. Communion: We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper as part of our Sunday morning service on Sunday, December 15th. Through the ordinance of communion, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. Youth Christmas Party: All youth are invited to our Christmas Party on Sunday, December 15th from 5-7 pm. We’ll meet at Columbia High School for dinner, games, and fun together celebrating the birth of our Savior.Ladies Christmas Party: Calling all ladies! Our Christmas party will be on Friday December 13th at 6pm. Food, fellowship and fun are on the agenda–details at the welcome table, or send an email to: glbcwomensministries@gmail.com.Upcoming Dates: No Youth Group (Dec. 1st), Christmas Eve Service (Dec. 24th) Life Groups: If you’re interested in joining a life group, we have several to choose from. You can check them out here: Request Prayer: It’s important for us to be praying for each other as a church! If you ever need prayer, we would love to come alongside you. You can always turn in a prayer request on Sundays using the Connection Card, but you can also submit a prayer request online at any time: This Coming Sunday: The Need for Qualified Leaders – Join us on Sunday as we continue our study through 1 Timothy titled, “Foundations for the Household of God.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7. This Sunday we’ll begin looking at the qualifications for leaders and explore the importance of each qualification. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW5IMNeRoI99I-QNoGMnuWDy6Y5svTt_c | ||
God is Near to Us
