December 2005

12.19.2005

ne Parson’s Opinion

Thanksgiving! It is all together fitting to use this article to express thanksgiving to so many. First, thanks to Karen Ammon and the Fellowship Team for leading ARBC in both the Fall Festival and the Thanksgiving Celebration. They did an excellent job with both events.

I do not know the attendance at the Fall Festival, but Karen tells me over 200 were at the Thanksgiving Celebration meal. Thanks to all of you who brought food, helped with set up and clean up. You did good!

John Hall was never in better voice. What a privilege to have him in our church for a concert.

This level of talent is costly to bring in. Thanks to the family in the church that gave the money so ARBC could bring in John Hall.

Thanks to the Lord for the response to the invitation on Sunday, November 20. I was amazed and overwhelmed at the response. Thirteen folks came forward; three on profession of faith, and ten transferring their membership to ARBC. I have been a pastor 25 years and I have never seen a response like that in one service. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for the gift you gave to Mark, Gene and myself. You were VERY gracious and I am very grateful.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It seems the other holidays have become more and more commercialized.

Thanksgiving is still a simple time to gather with family and friends and remember the blessings we have and who gave us the abundance that we enjoy. I wonder whom the atheist or agnostics give thanks to at Thanksgiving!? Ha! It is our Heavenly Father who has provided all of the blessings we enjoy. He is to be praised and thanked. Think of what we have:

Salvation, the Holy Spirit, a loving church family, good friends, our family, food, clothing, shelter, a country where anybody can become anyone they want to become, a country where we can worship freely, and more.

Our Lord is responsible for all of this and more. Be sure to bow your head in humility and sincerity during this holiday and say “thank you.”

See you on the Lord’s Day,

Jim

Posted by arbc at 08:22 AM