Dear Grace Community,
Let all things now living
a song of thanksgiving
to God our Creator triumphantly raise;
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
by guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us;
pure light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night:
till shadows have vanished,
all fearfulness banished,
as forward we travel from light into light
~“Let All Things Now Living” – Hymn 37 Glory to God Hymnal
As we move toward Thanksgiving, I am drawn to the thanksgiving hymns in our hymnal. I am grateful for the words and melodies that give voice to gratitude for all God is and does.
My family spends Thanksgiving with a large group of extended family on my mom’s side. As of now, the plan is for all nine first cousins of my generation to attend. I can’t remember the last time this happened, and I look forward to it.
For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and joy. I also know it can be a hard day and season. Within our church we’ve had 15 deaths in 2018. As we read the necrology on All Saints Sunday, I gave thanks for those saints who now rest from their labors, and I recognize that their seats will be empty at the Thanksgiving table this year. In addition to the deaths within our congregation, many of you have experienced deaths of people close to you.
I hope that you have space this Thanksgiving to feel whatever it is you are feeling, be it sadness or joy. I also invite you to our annual Silent Night Worship Service on December 10 at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. It is a quiet service that includes prayer and communion.
In Christ,
Catherine
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