As we enter November, gratitude becomes a natural theme woven into our lives. Surrounded by the beauty of fall, we’re reminded of the many blessings God provides daily, both seen and unseen. Gratitude is not just a feeling but a choice we make to see God’s hand in every part of our journey.
This month, we’re reflecting on what it means to live with a heart of gratitude. Gratitude invites us to find joy in small moments, to recognize the strength we gain from challenges, and to see each person in our lives as a gift. Ephesians 5:20 reminds us to “give thanks always and for everything to God the Father.” When we cultivate gratitude, we grow closer to God and are better equipped to share His love with others.
Our church community has several opportunities this month to express and live out gratitude. Join us for our next Second Sunday event. We will be expressing our gratitude to our service members by taking up a collection of care items for patients at the Lebanon VA hospital. We are also putting our Help Thy Neighbor Fund to use with a donation to the Food Hub. The Food Hub along with area congregations are working on addressing the acute homelessness issue in downtown Lancaster. Some of these funds will be used to connect our houseless neighbors to much needed resources such as porta potties as we wait for the shelter construction at Otterbein Methodist Church to be finished. I am grateful for your generosity and the ability we have to be able to respond to urgent needs such as this.
Gratitude is contagious—it lifts us, strengthens us, and brings us closer to one another and to God. Let us carry this heart of gratitude into every day, allowing it to transform the way we live, give, and worship.