Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 23. As is our tradition, we will have a worship service at 9 am on Thanksgiving Day. I have some “homework” for you. Take the words “Give Thanks” and develop either acrostic verses for them or try to name something that begins with each letter.

Many Christians follow the Church Year Calendar which, beginning with Advent, goes through our family story of the promise of a Savior, His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and then focuses on Jesus' teaching and how we who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit follow Jesus as we look forward to His return as Judge of the living and the dead. We are now entering the last few weeks of the Church Year, and the emphasis is on being prepared for His return.

Last weekend, we celebrated the Reformation and emphasized that the Church has a family story that centers on the Gospel. We do not get to heaven based on the good works we do for God, but rather because of what He, in His mercy, love, and compassion has done for us in forgiving our sins for Christ's sake.

Our role in this life is to be salt and light, influencing through His love as best we can, inviting people to know Jesus and providing opportunities to grow in His love.

So how do we do that?

When things like roof or car repairs or medical bills come up, those expenses can’t be avoided. So what do we do?

The current situation in the Middle East has caused some to explain the events as fulfillment of specific passages in the Hebrew Scriptures. It seems that’s the case every time there is some war that takes place in that region of the world. But when it comes to the end times, Jesus is not so specific.

Right now, our Synod is facing a critical shortage of pastors, teachers, and other workers. Imagine what it would be like if one of our teachers left and we could not find someone to fill the position, or, when the time comes and the Lord says my work here is completed, there is no pastor available.

Who’s at the center of things? Is it you or Jesus? Are you self-centered or Christ-centered?

How do you think I would feel as a lifelong fan of the Brew Crew if I knew someone who didn't care about baseball whatsoever but was able to go to the first World Series game the Brewers have been in since 1982 while I (as was also the case in 1982) did not have the opportunity to go?

Why is it sometimes so difficult to forgive? This weekend, we'll hear Jesus teach about another important attribute of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven: a forgiving heart.

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a big project and were overwhelmed with all that had to be done? The lack of time, resources and talent seemed to make its completion impossible. When that happens, it is so good to have others come alone not only to encourage you, but also to help you accomplish the project.

I always thought it was kind of ironic that we have a holiday called “Labor Day” on which we celebrate workers by not working. However, the whole concept of celebrating workers by not working goes back to God’s pattern in creation when He set aside the seventh day as a day of rest for the benefit of the humans who were charged with taking care of the world.

Have you ever stopped to think about why you care about people you don’t even know? Perhaps part of it is sharing the common human experience of living in a world terribly affected by sin and tragedy. But for us as Christians, there is something much deeper.

In all things, we will focus on living daily in His grace, and not keeping it to ourselves—but telling HIS story to invite people to know Jesus, and provide opportunities to grow in His love.

We all know it is impossible to walk on water. Peter did as well, yet he had just witnessed what Jesus had done with five loaves of bread and two fish. With God all things are possible.

Jesus did not offer a wide variety of food, but only fish and bread. Everyone was satisfied with what was offered.