Putting Some Thanks in Thanksgiving

ARE YOU EVER TROUBLED by the seeming scarcity of "thanks" in the Thanksgiving holiday? I must admit that I am.

I've almost concluded that Thanksgiving has become even more secularized than Christmas. During the Christmas season we are frequently admonished to "Keep Christ in Christmas." But during November we don't hear many reminders to "Keep the thanks in Thanksgiving."

Turkey Day

For many people - Christians included - Thanksgiving Day has been replaced by Turkey Day (more turkey than thanks). The focus of the day is on getting together with family, eating a big meal, watching (or perhaps playing) football, and chatting with relatives. The only giving of thanks is the prayer (perhaps a bit longer than usual) before the meal.

Even the church seems to a large extent to have capitulated to the secularization of this holiday. Very few (if any!) churches with which I am acquainted have a service of thanks on Thanksgiving Day.

I can understand this. Thanksgiving is a family day. People want to be with loved ones. A lot of people go out of town to be with parents, children, grandchildren, etc. And even in families that stay in town, it is difficult for those preparing the Thanksgiving meal to attend a worship service on Thanksgiving day.

For these reasons (and perhaps others), many churches moved their Thanksgiving services to the day before-to Thanksgiving eve. That seems reasonable.

But now a lot of churches have moved their Thanksgiving observance even further back - to the previous Sunday evening. And this observance often consists of a big "Thanksgiving" meal, with perhaps a brief service to follow. Again the emphasis seems to be more on eating than on giving thanks.

No, it doesn't seem that there is a whole lot of thanks in Thanksgiving And I must admit that I find this to be true in my own life as well.

We usually go to my wife's home for Thanksgiving, or her family visits us. And I, too, generally spend the day in visiting, eating, watching football, and perhaps playing some games. To be sure, I try to have a thankful attitude throughout the day. But I have to admit that I have not done a lot of giving thanks.

Doing something about it

This bothers me. So last year I decided to do something about it. I had a personal time of giving thanks to the Lord on Thanksgiving day. I was richly blessed by the experience.

If you, too, are troubled by the absence of "thanks" in Thanksgiving, perhaps you would like to try something similar this year. You could either do it alone, or with other members of your family.

I began my personal Thanksgiving service by reading several passages from the Bible that talk about giving thanks. Here are some passages I found meaningful:

Psalm 100 is excellent! This short psalm exhorts us to “give thanks” to the Lord and tells us why we should do so - “For the Lord is good and his love endured forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."* Psalm 95:1-7 is another excellent passage. It calls us to "sing for joy the LORD," and to "come before him with thanksgiving,” for he is a "great God, creator of all, and "we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Giving thanks for deliverance

A psalm I especially like is Psalm 107, which begins, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love endures forever." This psalm recounts how those facing death or oppression "cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress."

A refrain repeated several times in this psalm says, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men [mankind]." It only requires a little imagination to put oneself into one or more of these experiences The psalm is full of ways in which the Lord blesses His people and of reasons for giving thanks to Him

Another psalm that exhorts us to This bothers me. So last year I "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good" is Psalm 136. This psalm recalls God's acts of creation and His saving acts in delivering His people from Egypt and giving them the Promised Land. All the while it reminds them (and us), in a refrain included in every verse, that "His love endures forever." Again it is not difficult to substitute remembrances of God's saving work in our own lives through Jesus Christ.

A New Testament passage that does not speak directly of giving thanks but that reminds us of much for which we ought to be thankful are Jesus' words in Matthew 6:25-33. This passage assures us of our loving heavenly Father's concern for us, and it ought to cause our hearts to flow in thankfulness to Him.

Another New Testament passage appropriate for the occasion is Philippians 4:4-8. In this passage Paul calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always,” which is very much like giving thanks; urges in to pray all of our prayers with thanksgiving"; and exhorts us to think about those things that are excellent or praiseworthy. Who is more praiseworthy than our Lord, who deserves all our thanksgiving?

Hymns of thanksgiving

Having read several passages of scripture, I then turned to the hymnals and looked at several Thanksgiving hymns. (If you don't have a hymnal in your home, I doubt if anyone will mind if you borrowed one for a few days from your church. Just be to return it!)

Since I enjoy singing, I sang some of the verses of the hymns (but softly, so as not to disturb others in the house!) Other verses I just read to myself. If you prefer not singing aloud or find it difficult to do so without accompaniment, reading the words is fine. In fact, I find that I get more out of the text when I just read the words than when I try to fit them to the music.

One of the hymns which I chose and which I particularly like is one I have not heard often. It begins:

We plow the fields, and scatter

The good seed on the land,

It then goes on to tell how God provides the moisture, nourishment, warmth, and sunshine to produce the crop. I particularly like the refrain:

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord,

O thank the Lord

For all His love

I also like the words of the third (last in my hymnal) verse:

We thank Thee, then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed-time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food;

Accept the gifts we offer,

For all Thy love imparts,

And what Thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

A second hymn that has blessed me is also one not so well known (at least not to me). It begins:

With thankful hearts, O Lord, we come,

To praise Thy name in grateful song

I particularly like the second verse
We thank Thee, Lord, for daily food,
For plenteous store of earthly good;
For life, and health, we still posses,
With house and home so richly blest.

The third hymn I recommend is one of the better known Thanksgiving hymns, "Now Thank We All Our God.” The hymn begins with words of thanks to God, "Who, from our mother's arms, / Hath blessed us on our way / With countless gifts of love….” It continues in verse two with a plea that God be near us in all of life to give us joy, peace, grace, guidance, and "free us from all ills / In this world and the next.” It then concludes in verse three with these words:

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,

The Son, and Him who reigns

With them in highest heaven,

The one eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore.

A time to give thanks

Having thus prepared my mind and heart by reading words of Scripture and verses of song, it was now time to put into words my own expression of thanks to the Lord. As I began to do so, words from the refrain of another Christian song were foremost in my mind:

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one;

Count your blessings,

See what God hath done;

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one;

Count your many blessings,

See what God hath done.

At first I found it slow going naming things for which to be thankful. But soon, as I went from generalities to specifics, blessings began popping into my mind faster than I could bring them before the Lord.

For example, as I thanked God for food, I began to think about all the delicious, nutritious food we have available - the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products we enjoy, not to mention all the delicious desserts to follow them up! I thought of supermarket shelves laden with jars and boxes and bottles and cans. I thought of the turkey and dressing that at that moment were in the oven and soon would be on the table before us.

Similarly, as I thanked God for health, for my own and that of my family, I thought of the medical science that helps make this possible. I praised the Lord for something as common as aspirin (aren't you glad you didn't live the days before painkillers?), as well as for all the sophisticated medicines and high tech medical care available today.

The list continues to grow

As I thought about family, I found many things about my wife and daughter for which to be thankful. Then I went on to thank the Lord for my parents and family, my wife's parents and family, and for our wider circle of relatives and friends. In many cases, I not only thanked the Lord for these people, but thought of specific things about them for which to bless the Lord.

One thing kept leading to another As I thanked God for all the spiritual blessings that are mine (Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, my church, our pastors, and much more), I was reminded when I thanked God for the Bible that it would be of no use to me if I couldn’t read. This made me think of education, of schools, of books and libraries, of teachers who had meant so much in my life.

As one idea led to another and my mental list of things for which to be thankful continued to multiply, my heart began to fill with emotion as I became more and more aware of the countless blessings God had showered upon me. So much for which to be thankful!

Finally, I fell silent - not because I had exhausted the list of things for which to thank the Lord, but because I was exhausted emotionally. It was a satisfying feeling, like the satisfaction one feels after a physically exhausting day of productive labor.

I concluded my time of devotion and thanksgiving, then went and spent the rest of the day being with family, eating, watching some football, and playing some games. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. But the high point of it all was the time I had spent putting some thanks in my Thanksgiving.

* Quotations from the Bible are from the New International Version.

Mr. Winfield is a former editor of the EVANGELIST. He was asked to write this article by the Worship Commission prior to its dissolution at General Conference.

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Reaching Across the World: Our Renewed Connection with Malaysia

By Scott Soden • May 21, 2025

Across the vast oceans and many years, God is bringing the Brethren Church in the U.S. back together with our brothers and sisters in Malaysia. Even though we've been far apart in distance and time, God has been moving to reconnect us yet again. Churches in Penang and Johor Bahru are now working with us to build new friendships. We hope this will strengthen our partnership and also include our friends from the Brethren Church in the Philippines. This will create a wonderful link of churches around the world. The church in Johor Bahru reports that it has moved to a new building that is all on one floor. This makes it easier for older members who have trouble with stairs to participate. Their new location also has a garden where people can go to think quietly, pray, and meet Jesus in peaceful solitude. We hope to visit our partners in Malaysia early next spring. Pastor Paul Stanley and some Philippine Brethren Church pastors plan to go too! This trip is evidence of how God is bringing us together and will serve as an opportunity to strengthen our friendships. We can also see the great work they are doing in God's name. This reconnection reminds us that being part of Christ's church extends beyond our physical location and place in time. We are united across time and place, and as we move forward together across the world, we trust that this new friendship will help God's kingdom and blessing continue to grow. Scott C. Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

A River of Blessings: Jamie White Ordained as Elder in The Brethren Church

By Dan Acker • May 21, 2025

Against the stunning backdrop of the Wyoming wilderness, a truly meaningful event unfolded last week. During a fly fishing trip that brought together Brethren pastors in Casper, Jamie White was joyfully ordained as an Elder in The Brethren Church. The intimate service took place within the charm of a local lodge, where a distinguished group of Brethren Elders gathered to participate in this sacred occasion. Jim Miller, Tom Sprowls, Don White, Dave Stone, Miles Larson, Dustin White, and Dan Acker collectively laid hands on Jamie, affirming her calling and confirming her ordination as an Elder within The Brethren Church. The significance of this moment was further underscored by the presence of Bill Childress, Pastor at First Brethren Church of Gratis, Ohio, and Dustin LeMaster, a pastor at 5 Stones of Ashland, Ohio, who were there to offer their support and witness. Though the setting was informal, it did not diminish the profound importance of the office Jamie now embraces. Jamie's journey toward ordination was marked by diligent preparation and the affirmation of her gifts. Examined and approved for ordination by the North Central Region in 2020, the formal service was thoughtfully delayed due to the unforeseen challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving opportunities in her ministry. Upon hearing of the long-awaited ordination, Drew Meziere, the Regional Resource Coordinator for the North Central Region, enthusiastically exclaimed, “It’s about time!” Jamie and her husband, Dustin, himself an ordained Elder in The Brethren Church, have demonstrated a consistent commitment to ministry since their time at Radial Church, a Brethren Church plant they lovingly established in Canton, Ohio. Their dedication to living out the Great Commission has taken them to diverse landscapes, from guiding fishing expeditions and hosting spiritually enriching retreats along the pristine rivers of Casper, Wyoming, to serving communities near the tranquil lakes of Cleveland, Ohio. In every context, their passion for making disciples has remained unwavering. It is this very adaptability and commitment to meeting people where they are that has deeply resonated with Summit Ridge Community Church in Tucson, Arizona, their current church home. Recognizing the unique and fruitful nature of their itinerant chaplaincy, Summit Ridge has wholeheartedly embraced Jamie and Dustin's calling to minister in unconventional ways to individuals who may not typically engage with a traditional church setting. Their work exemplifies a dynamic and evolving expression of faith, reaching beyond traditional walls to connect with people in the everyday rhythms of their lives. With heartfelt joy and anticipation for the impact of her continued ministry, we extend our warmest congratulations to Reverend Dr. Jamie White on her ordination as an Elder in The Brethren Church. May God's abundant blessings continue to enrich her life and empower her vital work! Dan Acker Pastor, Summit Ridge Community Church (Tucson, AZ) West Regional Resource Coordinator

Summit Ridge Community Commissions New Leaders

By Dan Acker • May 13, 2025

Summit Ridge Community Church Commissions New Leaders, Emphasizing a Servant's Heart

Lexington and Concord at 250

By Steven Longenecker • April 23, 2025

By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired shot heard round the world. “Concord Hymn,” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1836. This is true. The American Revolution was transformative. One hundred years later, poet James Russell Lowell celebrated the modest span as “era-parting.” As the Concord militia ran across the bridge chasing retreating redcoats, they ran from one era into another. This is also true. The United States was the first government founded on the principle that “all men are created equally.” To be sure, this noble concept was very imperfectly implemented, but nobody else, certainly not European monarchies, even pretended to believe it. On April 19 we rightly celebrate the 250th anniversary of Concord, the beginning of a war that led to American independence. But there’s more. The first shots were not fired across Emerson’s “rude bridge” but on Lexington Common. Here three British companies faced the village militia. Major John Pitcairn, the British commander, ordered the Massachusetts men to disperse. The militia captain, John Parker, seeing that his men were significantly outnumbered, ordered them to break ranks and leave. But before they could, somebody—we still don’t know who—shot, and the British spontaneously responded with heavy fire. Then, again without orders, they charged, shooting and bayoneting, including the wounded. Historians disagree over whether British officers encouraged the melee or futilely screamed for order. Almost certainly, however, redcoats cut down fleeing militiamen. It was more massacre than battle. This atrocity, not Emerson’s “shot heard round the world,” inaugurated a lengthy, difficult, brutal war. The War for Independence lasted eight years, the longest conflict in American history until Vietnam and now fourth behind Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam. Civilians were targeted, casualties high, and prisoners, when taken, treated inhumanely. Lexington wasn’t the only time in the war when wounded and surrendering soldiers were assaulted; both sides did it, but more often the British. As people of faith remember Lexington and Concord, they can find three takeaways. 1. Injustice creates conflict. Identifying wrongs inflicted upon us comes naturally, but the call is to recognize injustice felt by others. The colonists had legitimate grievances: They were unrepresented in Parliament and taxed without their consent, a fundamental injustice. Logically, they demanded self-government. For ignoring American complaints, Imperial leadership lost some of its most valuable colonies, and its military endured high casualties. The lesson is that release for the captives and freedom for the oppressed are both the right thing to do—"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”—and pragmatic because of the problems they solve. 2. Similarly, bad things happen when people stop listening to each other. Mostly, this falls again on the British. Even a few months after Lexington and Concord, independence was still not mainstream among Americans, who probably would have accepted something short of full sovereignty. How might the history of the British Empire evolved if it had listened and applied the Golden Rule? Tone-deafness cost the British severely. Likewise, may we remember that most arguments have two sides. The Empire’s anger over the extensive property damage caused by the Boston Tea Party feels legitimate. Refusal to concede that the other side has a point or two often has significant practical cost, in this case further widening the breach between the Empire and its seaboard colonies. This is not to say that Jesus compromised his values, but he lunched with tax collectors and sinners and, presumably, listened. 3. Wars are easier to start than to stop. This includes labor (strikes) and trade wars. The great conflict that started on Lexington Green lasted much longer than anybody thought. In fact, there was little deliberation. Tensions escalated and anger boiled until violence erupted, and once the floodgates of war opened, it took eight years and rivers of blood spilled before they closed. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are not only the children of God but, in practice, they rescue society and, especially, innocents from the suffering of war. In the long run society is best served by peace (and justice). Do justice, listen, and make peace: Put together, these lessons from Lexington are foundation stones of Christian behavior, and they equip Brethren to be the salt of the earth in tumultuous times. Steve Longenecker is Professor of History, emeritus, at Bridgewater College (VA). Photo by Donovan Reeves on Unsplash

Southeast Shares and Celebrates at Regional Gathering

By Scott Soden • April 23, 2025

On Saturday, April 5th, churches and representatives from across the Southeast Region of The Brethren Church gathered at Windhaven Church in Mount Jackson, VA, for a powerful day of fellowship, prayer, and storytelling. Over 75 attendees, including 25 enthusiastic youth from several churches, came together to celebrate and share inspiring stories of how God is transforming their communities and responding to the urgent need for hope, love, and connection in these divided times. The gathering was a flurry of activity. Here are some of the highlights: During the morning, the youth poured themselves into a community service project; they assembled water bottles with socks, other essential items, and snacks for local homeless shelters. Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron (Both of Mount Olive Brethren Church, McGaheysville, VA) shared their excitement about preparations for this summer's camp, now under the new name: Kairos! Their palpable enthusiasm left attendees eager to witness how God will use this initiative. Pastor Don White (St. James Brethren Church, Fairplay, MD) shared a powerful message about the importance of experiencing God's presence and living in both spirit and truth. St. James is growing and actively engaging in local ministry initiatives, primarily through the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) groups from collaborating churches—truly a remarkable story worth sharing. Sara Moore (Saint James Brethren Church) emphasized Brethren Academy's vital connection to the region and showcased current and former students who now serve as mentors or in ministry within their local churches. Looking for ways to grow your youth in Christ? Check out Camp Kairos, Engage Youth Conference (both this summer), and Brethren Academy this fall! Valerie and Micah Ceary from the Gathering Church (Hagerstown, MD) and Joe and Katie Turner shared updates through videos about their new church plants in Maryland, which are advancing in unique ways throughout the region. Pastor Lee Reams (Compass Community Church) highlighted his church's summer sports outreach they put on in cooperation with Eukarya Christian Academy in Stephens City, VA. Read more about it at https://www.brethrenchurch.org/compass-community-wraps-up-summer-sports-outreach . Pastor Todd Crowder and the team at Maurertown Brethren Church (Maurertown, VA) are inspiring witnesses through their work with inner-city kids. Hearing Todd's journey—starting with one child in his truck and expanding as kids sought connection and fellowship—was uplifting. Pastor Kent McKay (Canvas Community Church, Winchester, VA) discussed the importance of vision and mission in the recent merger. Canvas Community Church was formed from the merger of Canvas Church, a local non-denominational church, and our own Grace Community Church in late 2022. Now, less than three years later, a full one-third of the new congregation are new members to their congregation and were not part of either Canvas or Grace Community. This remarkable statistic is a testament to the efficacy of their outreach and the work of God in Winchester. Pastor Brad Reaves showed a video highlighting the impactful work in Guinea-Bissau, where they partner with One Child to use the Bridgely App to fund children's schooling. Additional highlights included a recap of the recent Regional Women's Retreat, celebrated as a resounding success, and updates from the Gathering Church in Winchester, VA on their substantial outreach to local homeless shelters as they celebrate their fourth anniversary this Palm Sunday. Pastor Simon Flint spoke about their Toddler-Time outreach at Muskoka Community Church in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, which positively impacts mothers and families during the cold winter. Pastor Dave Stone shared in a video update how Sarasota First Brethren Church is recovering after Hurricane Milton damaged its building (read more about that at https://www.brethrenchurch.org/nappanee-brethren-repair-hurricane-damage ). During that same update, Dave Stone noted that their facility is used by seven Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups every week. What an extraordinary array of stories! God is surely at work, using the Brethren Church in remarkable ways. Please share the good news of what God is up to in your church and community at our MemoryFox page . We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories from your region as well!

Tucson First Brethren Celebrates Retirement of Roger Stogsdill

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025

A Legacy of Faith and a New Chapter: First Brethren Church Celebrates Pastor Roger Stogsdill's Retirement and Welcomes New Leadership

Pasadena Centro Crista Celebrates Baptism

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025

Joyful Celebration as Pasadena Centro Crista Welcomes Daniela Escobar Through Baptism

Cay Pombo Brethren Church in the Philippines Celebrates First Anniversary

By Scott Soden • April 9, 2025

On Sunday, March 23, the Brethren Church in Cay Pombo, Philippines gathered as usual to lift their hearts and hands in praise and worship to God, their Father. Yet that day was far more than a typical Sunday; it was a joyous celebration of God’s goodness and all He has accomplished in the church during its first full year of ministry. “As we celebrated our 1st anniversary, we're reminded that God has a plan to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. We're excited to see how He will continue to work in the lives of many through the JOFF (Jesus Our Firm Foundation) Cay Pombo Church. We've seen God move in amazing ways. We've witnessed lives transformed, relationships built, and how Jesus moves in everyone's lives, and yet, we know that this is just the beginning. We're trusting God to guide and direct us always. To God be all the glory! Happy anniversary, JOFF Cay Pombo! As we celebrate this first year of ministry and Kingdom growth, may this moment inspire the church here in the United States and around the world to boldly witness for Jesus in our neighborhoods, communities, and nations. Amen!!! Scott Soden Coordinator, Brethren Global Partners

Relaunch of ChristCore Brethren Church

By Paul Lattimer • April 9, 2025

Hey everybody! It's been a couple years since ChristCore Brethren Church went on hiatus, and I wanted to share a brief but exciting update. I've felt the Lord stirring in my heart over the past year to try starting it again. ChristCore went on hiatus and we downshifted heavily after Alexander Stillion, one of our members, passed away in a motorcycle accident. Quite honestly, I was depressed and didn't want to keep doing this plant without my friend. During this time, Terry Hofecker and Josh Coffee, pastors of Agora Church in Columbus, Ohio, were gracious and gave Micaela and I a "landing place" while ChristCore paused. Now, we sense the Lord is calling us to pilot the ship once again, and I am excited to both share and ask for your prayer support as we relaunch ChristCore! We held our first new gathering on Friday, March 2 and hosted 7 adults and 2 kids (OTHER than Micaela, myself, and our kids). During our time, we had a Bible study on part of Matthew 5, lyric discussion of the Christian Metalcore song “Immortal” by War of Ages, and shared prayer requests and praises and prayed with each other. Thank you for your prayer support!!! Praise the Lord! Paul Lattimer Pastor, ChristCore Brethren Church

Brethren Church in Lima Peru Celebrate Four Baptisms

By Scott Soden • April 1, 2025

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the small congregation at the church in Lima went to a local beach for a very special time of transformation and celebration. Here is what Pastor Luis Angel has to say about the day's events: “Our church recently celebrated the baptism of four members. Franz and Bertha, who have been part of our congregation for several years, had not previously been baptized due to various circumstances. Leslie, Franz's girlfriend, and Luca, a young leader in our church, are newer members who decided to take the step of faith during their discipleship journey. Initially, Luca's baptism was scheduled for July 2024, but due to my motorcycle accident we had to postpone the ceremony. We decided to reschedule for the summer when the weather is more conducive. Franz and Leslie joined the discipleship program during the waiting period, followed by sister Bertha a month ago. All four will continue their discipleship classes, deepening their spiritual roots and developing their gifts for service.” Let us joyfully celebrate the incredible work God is doing through our partners in Peru and across the globe! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners