“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

We’ve spent this year giving thanks for 250 years of Friedland’s ministry in our community. This month, we turn our hearts toward Thanksgiving — a time to pause, reflect, and remember the countless ways God has been faithful to us throughout our lives.

In a world that moves quickly and often focuses on what’s next, it can be easy to overlook the blessings that surround us daily. The Psalmist calls us to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” — this is an invitation to live in thanksgiving each day. As a church family, we can make this month an intentional season of thanksgiving.

We can take time each day to name the blessings we’re grateful for.

We can reach out to people who have blessed our lives with a note or call of encouragement.

We can pray for those who are struggling and thank God for the opportunity to be his hands and feet in their lives.

One of my favorite lovefeasts is our annual Thanksgiving Eve Lovefeast, which is a time not only to give thanks, but also to renew our sense of belonging to one another and to God’s great family. We know that gratitude is not reserved for a single season. Gratitude is an important part of our faith, and it is reflected in our hymns, our prayers, and our shared fellowship. As we look back over this year, and over 250 years, we can see God’s steadfast love in so many ways: in the outreach of our congregation, in the strength found through prayer, and in the gentle reminders of God’s presence even in challenging times.

May we take time each day to notice the blessings around us — large and small — and to lift our hearts in gratitude. God’s love truly endures forever, and in that enduring love we find reason to give thanks in every season.

Wishing you a month filled with gratitude, peace, and joy.

In Christ’s love,

The Rev. John G. Rights