Thankful for Being

​What are you especially thankful for this year?  Some people are again embarking on a thirty day thankfulness challenge on Face Book.   I like to read what friends write for their challenge.  I love the American season of thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving Day, though I am not so fond of seeing Christmas decorations up  before Thanksgiving, and I am not fond of Black Friday encroaching.    What are you especially thankful for this year?

 I am very thankful to be your pastor.  That is an honor and a privilege.  I am very thankful for Pastor Dale, for working with him, and I look forward to his ordination on December 17.  I am very thankful for our paid staff and volunteers, and all that has been accomplished in this past year.  I am thankful to be able to vote in this my first Federal election, and that this long season of campaigning will soon be over.  I am thankful for the gift of prayer for a deeper engagement in our civic life.  I am thankful for the gift of strength and courage given to Ascension people going through difficult times.  
 
In this season of thanksgiving  we have a big focus on giving thanks in our worship together.  On All Saints Sunday (November 6th) we especially give thanks for those who have passed to eternal glory.   On Sunday November 20th we will have one worship service at 10am to celebrate cancer survivors and those who are caregivers.  On the evening of November 20th we have the annual Northland Churches combined thanksgiving service at 7pm at Karl Road Baptist Church.  (On that afternoon at 3pm we have a concert provided by the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra who now rehearses at our church.)    And there is Thanksgiving Eve worship (November 23) at 7.30pm. Look for the cornucopia on the altar.  I do invite you to write down your thanksgivings, whether on paper, in a journal, or on FaceBook, to share around your Thanksgiving table.   Oh, and then I am thankful for Advent which begins on Sunday November 27.  Is Christmas really getting so close?       

With a thankful heart, 
- Pastor Tim. 
 
P.S. Many thanksgivings are more personal, to do with the family.  Personally I am very thankful for having been able to spend 3 weeks with my father this year, and with other family members who I hadn’t seen for over 4 years.   And to visit my first call church in Auckland, New Zealand.  And Mary and I are grateful for our second son Caleb getting engaged to Liz Williams.