Let's Give Thanks!

First, off Mahalo nui loa to everyone for the cards, gifts and just positive words for Pastor Appreciation month. I am truly humbled to be serving alongside such amazing people to proclaim Jesus in our community and I truly appreciate and am thankful for each and every one of you. Pastor Hosch

A Thankful Heart

As November arrives, we are reminded to slow down and give thanks. With 

Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s easy to focus on the blessings we can see—the food on our tables, the people we love, and the many ways God provides for us. But sometimes, the greatest blessings are found in the ordinary moments we might otherwise overlook.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Paul says to give thanks IN all circumstances, not necessarily FOR all circumstances. Life isn’t always easy. We experience challenges, disappointments, and seasons when gratitude doesn’t come naturally. Yet even in those moments, we can give thanks because God’s love for us never changes.

As a congregation, we have much to be thankful for. We give thanks for our church family, for the opportunity to worship and grow in God’s Word, for the ministry of Emmanuel Lutheran School, and for the many people who faithfully serve behind the scenes. We give thanks most of all for Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection give us forgiveness, hope, and the promise of eternal life.

This November, I encourage you to make gratitude a daily habit. Thank God in prayer, tell

someone how much they mean to you, lend a helping hand, or take a moment to recognize a blessing you might usually take for granted. These simple acts can make a tremendous difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, may we remember that our greatest reason for gratitude isn’t simply what God gives us, but who God is: our faithful Father, who provides for our needs and holds us securely in His grace.

May God bless each of you with a joyful Thanksgiving, and may our hearts  overflow with gratitude for all He has done for us through Jesus. 

Giving thanks with you, 

Pastor