On November 26, World Olivet Assembly's churches all around the United States have commemorated Thanksgiving with a special worship service to express their overflowing gratitude to God. The year 2020 has been marked by the ongoing global pandemic and the uncertainty it brought to almost every country in the world. However, in the midst of the challenges, God has been faithful in protecting WOA, its churches, ministries, families and individual members and bestowing many unexpected blessings throughout the year.
Gratitude is a central theme in the Bible and an important aspect of our relationship with God and each other. There are numerous passages in both the Old and New Testament that remind believers to be thankful, not as an obligation but as a natural response to God's love.
This year's Thanksgiving sermon delivered at Olivet Chapel in Dover, NY spoke about Colossians 3:15-17:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)
In this brief passage, the Apostle Paul emphasizes gratitude three times, but what he talks about first is the peace of Christ that should rule in our hearts. Where does this peace come from? Many of his letters include the Apostle Paul's typical greeting where he says "grace and peace be with you." When we receive grace, we also receive peace and we are grateful.
What then is this grace speaking about? It is God's love that has been revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who has brought us salvation. When we reflect on this love and sacrifice, grace and peace enter our hearts and we are grateful to God. So on this Thanksgiving day, we are reminded that it is not about what we can do for God, but it is about what God in Jesus Christ has already done for us. And when this grace, peace and gratitude overflows, our hearts are refreshed and renewed and we can share this love with others, even amid the most difficult circumstances.
In this spirit, WOA wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
WOA Churches in the US Commemorate Thanksgiving in Gratitude for God's Blessing and Protection in 2020
