The Courier Times - New Castle, IN | Religious Perspectives: Embrace the spiritual aspect of Thanksgiving

Friday, November 20, 2009     Religious Perspectives: Embrace the spiritual aspect of Thanksgiving     By REX ESPIRITU First Presbyterian Church     Friday, November 20, 2009         During this season of Thanksgiving, there are many things one may recount as noteworthy items to be grateful for. Some usual, more typical notions of life, health, family and friends among others may come to mind. However, as I further contemplate what elicits gratitude in my heart this morning, a most singular thought occurred. If you had to name one thing, just one thing you would give thanks for, what might that one thing be? I wondered as I wandered on the way today, asking myself in the Lord's presence at this very moment, "What am I most grateful for?"     Now, the way the mind works sometimes, it could either go through a number of tangential paths, following some rabbit trails, perusing through a few strawberry patches and smelling the flowers along the way. Or it could suddenly turn quite focused, set in a single direction, determined to press forward on a particular trajectory. In a few moments, the latter alternative became my own experience. It wasn't long before I found myself wanting to draw upon foundational tenets of personal conviction from past spiritual growth and development, and theological formation in my own journey of faith.     In the liturgical calendar of the Revised Common Lectionary, this Sunday in November, just before Thanksgiving is designated for the celebration of the reign of Christ the King. It marks the end of the liturgical year, culminating in the observance of Christ's kingdom and rule over all, with an eye toward Jesus' coming in Advent. From a Christian, reformed perspective, standing in the stream of a tradition with a high view of the sovereignty of God, this is cause for great celebration! The fact that God rules, the truth that Jesus is Lord, and the certainty of the Spirit's reigning presence among us, along with the sure hope and promise of Christ the King's return in glory: That's all too awesome for even the slightest exuberance in this expressed personality to be contained.     In this vein, one might begin to surmise that this is the one thing I am most thankful for. To be sure, the idea that God is in control can indeed be a strong source of comfort for us no matter what situation we may encounter. A deeper probing of the heart reveals a more personal, profound sense of gratitude. When I read God's love letter to me in Scripture, I find myself giving thanks mostly for the words I hear the Spirit of Jesus saying to me through the Gospel of John (15:16). "You did not choose me, but I chose you ..."     The Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, Creator of all including my own very being, chose me! To know and be known as the Lord's, to love and be loved by the Lord, to choose and most of all to be chosen by my Lord and Savior - That continually abiding experience of God is what I am most profoundly thankful for today. As the lyrics of the song "Knowing You" written by worship leader Graham Kendrick goes, "Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You ... There is no greater thing. You're my all, You're the best! And I love you, Lord." I give thanks most of all for You!     Beloved, what are you most grateful for today? In words similar to the apostle, Paul's letter to the saints in Ephesus, I pray that you and your loved ones know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. May you know the Lord's blessings anew in Thanksgiving!
Content © 2009 the Courier-Times
Software © 1998-2009 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved

 
 

Inserted from <http://thecouriertimes.com/print.asp?ArticleID=243053&SectionID=25&SubSectionID=42>

Thanksgiving through Advent: Rekindling the Gift of God With Us

In this season of Thanksgiving through Advent, I am renewed with a fresh sense of hope, reinvigorated by prayer with zeal and fervor in the Lord, Immanuel—God with us!  The light of the holy days at this time of year burn brightly with broader perspective upon my reentry from traveling in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico where I and eighteen other pastors from Indiana witnessed indigenous peoples there experiencing the Gospel of Jesus Christ engaging such diverse cultures in a way not unlike that by the church throughout the first century. 

 
 

The Good News rings true for all times and places as we walk together along sacred spaces as a people set apart by God's Word and Spirit among us.  The season of Advent affords us an opportunity by which we can once again give thanks to Almighty God for the Sovereign Lord's grace here and now, during this our time and place, at First

Presbyterian Church, New Castle, Indiana. 

 
 

There is good cause for and there are encouraging signs of hope in our fellowship amidst a burgeoning transformation that the Lord has only begun with, in, and upon us.  It is a/n [re-]iterative process which entails lighting and relighting, igniting and reigniting, fanning and rekindling the flame of God's gift of hope, peace, joy, love and life in our lives to be lived, and in a sense, relived well together for the glory of God. 

 
 

The prophetic writer in the book of Habakkuk reminds us in prayer: 

 
 

Lord, we have heard of Your fame;

we stand in awe of Your wonderful deeds. 

O Lord,

Renew them in our day. 

In our time, revive, and make them known;

in judgment, in justice, may You remember mercy.

 
 

May this be our prayer for and in our own day and time with the Lord's gracious reign among us in our own, larger community of faith in Christ.  And may God find us faithfully lighting anew in Advent the candles of Christ's hope, peace, joy, love and life in our homes in the household of God's blessings at Thanksgiving.  In Him,

Pastor Rex

Rekindling the Gift of God With/in Us

Rekindling the Gift

• Rekindling the Gift of Hope
  
• Rekindling the Gift of Peace
  
• Rekindling the Gift of Joy
  
• Rekindling the Gift of Love
  
• Rekindling the Gift of Life
  

  fan aflame, kindle afresh, light anew
  

  [Reign of] Christ the King
  

  Sunday, November 22
  

  2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18); Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
  

   
   

  The First Sunday of Advent
  

  November 29
  

  Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10;               1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
  

  The Second Sunday of Advent
  

  December 6
  

  Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79;                  Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
  

   
   

  The Third Sunday of Advent
  

  December 13
  

  Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6;          Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
  

  The Fourth Sunday of Advent
  

  December 20
  

  Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
  

   
   

  Christmas Eve
  

  December 24
  

  Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96:1-13;                        Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
  

  
  

  Lighting the candles of Advent again… with thanksgiving!
  

  Fan into flame the gift of God in you
  

The Lord Reigns (Christ the King)	Nov 22
The Promise of Preparation	Nov 29
The Promise of Mercy	Dec 6
The Promise of Salvation	Dec 13
The Promise of Blessing	Dec 20
The Promise of Treasure	Dec 24
(Sunday after Christmas)	Dec 27

 
 

With Gratitude for the Tree of Life

2009 November—December

Thanksgiving In the Season of Advent

A Lifestyle of Thanks-Living through the Advent of Christ's Kingdom

PC(USA) - Presbyterian News Service - The Discernment journey

 
 

 
 

 
 

Home > News Service > The Discernment journey

 
 

09967

November 9, 2009

The Discernment journey

A monthly column for the PC(USA) by the General Assembly Stated Clerk

by the Rev. Gradye Parsons

PC(USA) General Assembly stated clerk

LOUISVILLE — Folks often wonder how an overture makes its way to a General Assembly. It is not a speedy process, but it's an effective one that involves discernment through prayer, the study of Scripture, and careful listening to others.

An overture generally starts with an individual idea or inspiration. From there, one of the foundational understandings of our polity is lived out: Decisions are made not by one person, but by people discerning together the mind of Christ.

Often, an overture's first step involves members of the session of a congregation discerning together whether the issue on their hearts should be addressed by the whole PC(USA). In my experience, this is rarely done at one meeting, but over time.

The session sends the overture to the presbytery, where it is considered by a committee. The committee members prayerfully discern together the mind of Christ about the issue, listening to the voice of the session and to one another, as well as their own understanding of Scripture. The committee then sends the overture to the full presbytery, where elders and ministers discuss its merits and answer the critical question: Is this an issue for the whole church?

If approved by the presbytery, the overture goes to the General Assembly, where it will carry the presbytery's name and require the presbytery's support.

General Assembly commissioners and advisory delegates consider the overture in committee, discerning together by listening to voices with wider experiences, to different understandings of Scripture, and to the Spirit speaking through prayer. The item then goes to the whole assembly where, again, listening and seeking are the primary discernment actions.

If the overture passes, its journey continues as congregations, presbyteries, synods, and General Assembly agencies discern what it means for their ministry and witness.

The journey of an overture involves the entire Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It travels the long distance through our discernment as the whole church, listening for what God is calling the church to be and to do.

Let us all be ready to listen.

 
 

Inserted from <http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09967.htm>