As we enter mid-Fall and move toward the Thanksgiving holiday, our theme for the next five weeks will be, appropriately, Thankfulness. Our scriptural focus will be Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. For those who enjoy following the lectionary, I Thessalonians is the lectionary-assigned epistolary reading for these five weeks. Widely considered to be Paul’s very first letter, I Thessalonians represents the theme of “Thankfulness” in different ways. Paul first came to Thessalonica after having suffered persecution for preaching the Gospel in Philippi. The Thessalonians took him in, showed him great hospitality and, in turn, became very dear to Paul for the rest of his ministry. Paul was thankful for them and for his relationship with them. Throughout the letter, the theme of thankfulness is emphasized. As we enter our own annual season of Thanksgiving, we hope to learn how Paul can teach us to be thankful for the gifts we have in Christ. Here is what you can look forward to between now and the end of November.
October 22
I Thessalonians 1:1-10
Pastor Michael
“Thankful for what the Lord has Done for Us in Christ”
October 29
I Thessalonians 2:17-19
Pastor Vicky
“Thankful for the Hospitality we have in Christ”
November 5
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Pastor Michael
“Thankful for Salvation in Christ”
All Saints Sunday
November 12
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Pastor Michael
“Thankful for the Encouragement we have in Christ”
November 19
I Thessalonians 5:12-22
Pastor Michael
“Thankful for the Peace We have in Christ”