November always brings thoughts to my mind of thanksgiving. I don’t mean the day when we sit down with family and friends to gorge ourselves on good food, good fellowship, football, and naps. Those aren’t bad in and of themselves as they remind us of the blessings we have received. But I am reminded more of the gifts we take for granted and for which we don’t always remember to express our gratitude to God. Things like health and work, a free country where we can elect whom we choose (in spite of all the venom that flew in this past election), and the freedom to gather together in worship without fear of persecution or hassle.

It is this last freedom that I think we take most for granted. Our lifestyles are busy and complicated. Those who are blessed with jobs are putting in more and more overtime. Schools and sports and their accompanying practices and extra-curricular activities demand 7 days a week of commitment now and do not respect the need for families to have down-time. Even some of our retirees tell me that they are busier in retirement than they ever were when they worked with volunteer commitments, traveling to be with grandchildren & great-grandchildren, and so forth. By the time we get to the weekend, we are bruised, battered, beaten-down, and exhausted.

The “one” thing that is needed (as I mentioned in a sermon a couple of weeks ago) to bring some relief into our over-worked, over-stressed, and under-appreciated lives is to gather with our Christian family for support, prayer, study, and lifting one another up. I know it is difficult to drag ourselves out of the comfort & sanctuary of our homes, but we have another “home” where that same comfort and sanctuary is available each time we gather. We bring our hurts, our pains, our joys, and our celebrations as we share in a holy greeting of Peace and a holy meal that builds our spirits and strengthens our souls. We also provide a time of instruction for youth through adults to study God’s love-letter to us (a.k.a.-The Scriptures). We have dedicated and faithful volunteers who give of their time to teach and share in that study, talented musicians (our organist and choir director), faithful workers & volunteers who put in countless hours “behinds the scenes” preparing for our gatherings, and the occasional “not so bad” sermon.

A couple of verses from our psalm reading last week said it well from Psalm 84: “How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Happy are they who dwell in your house! They will always be praising you.”

See YOU in church!
Peace,
Pastor Ted D. Kerr III
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - Ida