GIVING THANKS FROM A TO Z

Thanksgiving Day is next week, and while we Christians have been admonished to always give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20), this best of all the National Holidays allows us to focus on giving thanks.  Earlier in the month I shared my A to Z thanksgiving for Park Presbyterian Church with the Session, and now I share it with you.  You may want to try your own A to Z list.

Park things for which I am thankful:

A   ABC Classes God’s word has come alive to many; the fellowship has been profound and the laughter deep. 

B  Belo-Beaver Partnership What an amazing thing God has done among us.  Lives have been changed and the Kingdom built.

C   Cub Scouts I have loved working with the Cub Scouts who are participating in the  God and Country program.

D   Deacons Who usher, spread bark mulch, organize picnics, share Thanksgiving baskets and a whole lot more.

E   Elders I have served side by side and shoulder to shoulder with ten different Sessions made up of some mighty men and women of God. 

F   Friendships Park people have provided deep and abiding friendships for Becky and me and for Christopher and Alanna. 

G   Guild Hall That big old room has been the scene of some great times from learning to dance to preparing Sopa Domingo soup.

H   Hands-on Mission We’ve transformed the way we do mission from check-book to hands-on.  Brazil, First Food, Salvation Army and more are good examples.

I   Intinction Communion on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday has always been deeply significant.  What an honor to serve our people by name. 

J  Joe Hill and Jeff Arnold Joe and Jeff are two very different people, but represent the richness of collegial relationships I have experienced here.

K   Kolaches The men’s group at Café Kolache has been a wonderful place of support and friendship.

L    Listening I’ve heard a lot of stories; some told in the quiet of my office, others on the run.  Finally they are stories of a God at work in our lives. 

M   Mini-Message One of my favorite times of the week.  It’s been good to sit on the steps with the kids.

N   Newsletters Over 100 Branches columns (and all those E-pistles).  It’s been a joy to share thoughts and insights with such a receptive congregation.

O   Organ What a joy for Alanna to have been an Organ Scholar – a gift from Larry Heath that will last a lifetime. 

P   Portuguese It’s become a second language and as I muddle through deep conversations with Brazilian friends, I am astounded at what God has done.

Q   Quality We’ve insisted on setting a high standard.  We haven’t always hit it, but we’ve always known it’s there. 

R   Renovation Remember what our building looked like five years ago?  And, by the way, did you notice our mortgage balance?

S   Staff It’s been a high privilege to work with Peggy, Carol, Jack, Bobbi, Frank, Paul, Larry, Joe, Missy, Mary Beth, Kristen, Sally & Jungwha. 

T   Teams I came a Packer fan, I leave a Steeler fan.  But, still, I love what the old man Brett Favre is doing this season.

U   Unity It was tested a few times, but it held, not because of who we are, but because of who Christ is. 

V   Visitation My time in nursing homes, hospitals and in the homes of members has been a great reminder of the stories that make our faith a living faith.  

W   Worship Excellence in worship has been more than a slogan.  We have worshiped well for 9½ years. 

X   X-rays And all the other things God used to bring healing 4½ years ago.  But thanks, mostly, for his sovereign grace. 

Y   Youth Missy does a great job, and I’ve been able to get to know some of the kids around the edges, especially in Confirmation classes and on the way to Brazil.

Z   Zelienople It’s where our presbytery has its administrative office.  I give thanks for our presbytery and its work. 

See you Sunday!