Celebrating Gratitude and God's Faithfulness Together

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude Amidst Challenges

Gratitude does not ignore the pain and challenges in our world. Instead, it acknowledges them and still finds reasons to be thankful. This practice helps us see God's goodness even in difficult times, reinforcing our faith and resilience. [44:36]

Gratitude is a powerful practice that allows us to see the beauty and blessings in our lives, even amidst despair. It is not about ignoring the pain and challenges we face but about recognizing them and still finding reasons to be thankful. This perspective helps us to see God's goodness and faithfulness, reinforcing our faith and resilience. Psalm 145 speaks of God's graciousness, compassion, and faithfulness, reminding us that even in difficult times, we can find reasons to be grateful.

G.K. Chesterton's words, "Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder," resonate deeply with this idea. By practicing gratitude, we can transform our outlook on life, enabling us to celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness, even in the midst of challenges. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also enhances our mental and emotional well-being, helping us to navigate life's difficulties with hope and joy.

Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV): "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's goodness in that situation, and what are you thankful for today?

Day 2: Community and Generosity

The story of the yellow submarine gifted by another church highlights the power of community and generosity. Such acts of kindness and collaboration enrich our lives and ministries, reminding us that we are part of a larger body of Christ. [10:23]

The story of the yellow submarine gifted by Woodbridge Community Church is a beautiful example of the power of community and generosity. This generous gift, which will be used for the upcoming scuba VBS, is a testament to the collaborative spirit within the body of Christ. Acts of kindness and generosity like this enrich our lives and ministries, reminding us that we are part of a larger community that supports and uplifts each other.

Being part of a community means sharing our resources, time, and love with one another. It is through these acts of generosity that we can truly experience the fullness of God's love and grace. By working together and supporting each other, we can accomplish great things and make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. This story encourages us to be generous and to look for opportunities to bless others, knowing that we are all part of the same body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: Think of a way you can show generosity to someone in your community this week. How can you be a blessing to others and strengthen the bonds within the body of Christ?

Day 3: The Practice of Reflection

Taking time to reflect on the past year helps us recognize God's work in our lives. By sharing our experiences and gratitude with others, we deepen our sense of community and draw closer to God. This practice is not just beneficial for our spiritual growth but also for our mental and emotional well-being. [49:43]

Reflection is a powerful practice that allows us to recognize God's work in our lives. By taking the time to look back on the past year, we can see the ways in which God has been faithful and gracious to us. This practice helps us to deepen our sense of community as we share our experiences and gratitude with others. It also draws us closer to God, as we become more aware of His presence and work in our lives.

Reflecting on our experiences is not just beneficial for our spiritual growth but also for our mental and emotional well-being. It allows us to process our thoughts and feelings, gain new insights, and find healing and peace. By engaging in this practice, we can develop a greater sense of gratitude and contentment, which can transform our outlook on life and help us to navigate challenges with hope and resilience.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Take some time to reflect on the past year. What are some specific ways you have seen God's faithfulness in your life? How can you share these experiences with others to encourage and uplift them?

Day 4: The Power of Prayer

Praying for those in need, whether they are recovering from illness or facing other challenges, is a powerful way to support and uplift each other. It reminds us that we are not alone and that God's love and strength are available to us all. [38:44]

Prayer is a powerful way to support and uplift each other, especially those who are in need. Whether someone is recovering from illness, facing a difficult situation, or experiencing any other challenge, our prayers can make a significant difference in their lives. By lifting up individuals like Trish Asbury, Gay Probst, and Sarah Piazza, who are recovering from surgeries and falls, we are reminded of the importance of interceding for one another.

Praying for others not only brings comfort and strength to those in need but also deepens our own faith and connection with God. It reminds us that we are not alone and that God's love and strength are available to us all. Through prayer, we can experience the power of God's presence and the support of our community, knowing that we are all part of the same body of Christ.

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is in need of prayer. Take a moment to pray for them, asking God to uphold and strengthen them. How can you continue to support and uplift them in the coming days?

Day 5: Living with Grateful Hearts

As we go forth, let us carry grateful hearts, seeing God's goodness in every aspect of our lives. This perspective transforms our outlook, enabling us to celebrate life even amidst despair. It is a way of life that brings us closer to God and each other. [01:16:49]

Living with grateful hearts is a transformative way of life that allows us to see God's goodness in every aspect of our lives. By cultivating a perspective of gratitude, we can celebrate life even amidst despair and challenges. This practice not only brings us closer to God but also strengthens our relationships with others, as we become more aware of the blessings and beauty around us.

Gratitude is a core practice of following Jesus, as it helps us to recognize and appreciate the many ways in which God is present and active in our lives. By carrying grateful hearts, we can face the future with hope and joy, knowing that God's love and faithfulness are ever-present. This perspective transforms our outlook on life, enabling us to navigate challenges with resilience and to celebrate the goodness of God in all circumstances.

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life? What are some specific ways you can practice gratitude today, and how can this perspective transform your outlook on life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Aldous Gate United Methodist Church! Today is Celebration Sunday, a day dedicated to reflecting on and celebrating God's faithfulness over the past year. As we approach the end of our appointment year, we take this opportunity to look back and share our experiences, both in person and online. We have reflection sheets to help us gather our thoughts and share our gratitude with one another. This exercise is not just about listing what we are thankful for but also about recognizing the challenges we've faced and the ways we've grown.

We are blessed with a community that supports and uplifts each other. For instance, our fellowship hall now houses a big yellow submarine, a generous gift from Woodbridge Community Church, which will be used for our upcoming scuba VBS. This is a testament to the generosity and collaborative spirit within our community.

As we reflect, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude, especially in challenging times. Gratitude is a core practice of following Jesus, as highlighted in Psalm 145, which speaks of God's graciousness, compassion, and faithfulness. Even amidst despair, gratitude allows us to see the beauty and blessings in our lives. G.K. Chesterton's words resonate deeply here: "Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

We also took time to pray for those in need, lifting up individuals like Trish Asbury, Gay Probst, and Sarah Piazza, who are recovering from surgeries and falls. Our prayers extend to all who are ill and those caring for them, asking God to uphold and strengthen them.

As we move forward, let us continue to celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness. Let us share our gratitude, not just in words but in actions, as we support and uplift each other. With grateful hearts, we can face the future with hope and joy, knowing that God's love and faithfulness are ever-present.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being. [49:43]
4. The Power of Prayer: Praying for those in need, whether they are recovering from illness or facing other challenges, is a powerful way to support and uplift each other. It reminds us that we are not alone and that God's love and strength are available to us all.

5. Living with Grateful Hearts: As we go forth, let us carry grateful hearts, seeing God's goodness in every aspect of our lives. This perspective transforms our outlook, enabling us to celebrate life even amidst despair. It is a way of life that brings us closer to God and each other.

### [49:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:45] - Introduction to Reflection Activity
[10:23] - Story of the Yellow Submarine
[37:08] - Prayer for Those in Need
[44:36] - The Importance of Gratitude
[46:29] - G.K. Chesterton on Gratitude
[48:07] - Celebrating God's Goodness
[49:43] - Reflection Questions
[51:56] - Sharing Reflections
[65:36] - Online Reflections
[67:41] - Singing "Celebrate Jesus"
[72:13] - Offering and Doxology
[76:49] - Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 145, what are some of the attributes of God that we should be grateful for?
How does the story of the yellow submarine illustrate the power of community and generosity? ([10:23])
What are some of the challenges mentioned in the sermon that people in the congregation have faced this past year? ([49:43])
How does the practice of gratitude help us see God's goodness even in difficult times? ([44:36])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to recognize both the blessings and the challenges in our lives when practicing gratitude? ([44:36])
How does the act of praying for others, as mentioned in the sermon, strengthen our community and our faith? ([38:44])
What does G.K. Chesterton mean when he says, "Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder"? How does this perspective align with biblical teachings on gratitude? ([46:29])
How can reflecting on the past year and sharing our experiences with others deepen our sense of community and draw us closer to God? ([49:43])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's goodness in that situation, and how can you practice gratitude in similar future challenges? ([44:36])
Think of a time when someone in your community showed you generosity. How did it impact you, and how can you extend similar generosity to others? ([10:23])
How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of God's faithfulness? ([44:36])
Identify someone in your life who is currently facing a difficult time. How can you support them through prayer and other acts of kindness? ([38:44])
Reflect on the past year and identify one area where you have seen significant personal or spiritual growth. How can you continue to nurture this growth in the coming year? ([49:43])
How can you use the reflection activity mentioned in the sermon to foster deeper connections within your small group or community? ([49:43])
What are some practical ways you can live with a grateful heart, even amidst despair? How can this perspective transform your outlook on life? ([44:36])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Following Jesus is a way of life. It's a way of life and not just a set of beliefs, a way of life based on core practices, practices that Jesus modeled and practices that are life-giving. And one of these core practices is gratitude, gratitude. And that's why there's so much about gratitude in the scriptures and so many psalms that are psalms of gratitude." [44:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Gratitude doesn't ignore the pain and challenges in our world. It doesn't. Gratitude comes even in the midst of the pain and challenges of the world. Gratitude looks at our beautiful yet broken world and declares we have lots to be grateful for. Life itself is a gift. The very mystery and miracle of existence is a gift. All that we have is a gift." [46:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We give thanks to God for the birthday present of birth. We give thanks to God for the gift of life and God's presence and provision in the midst of it. And in light of all God's gifts, with grateful hearts, we celebrate God's goodness." [48:07] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There's something about sharing how we've seen God at work. There's something about sharing our gratitude that actually ushers us deeper into God's presence. There's something about sharing our gratitude that is deeply good for our soul." [51:56] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "As you go from here, even in the midst of an air of despair, may you go with grateful hearts. May you have eyes to see. May you see all of God's goodness this week. The very mystery and miracle of existence. And with grateful hearts, may you go forth from here celebrating." [01:16:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "My friends aren't very hopeful about the future. Now, these are Columbia grads, so they're probably fairly bright and they probably have some resources, but she said, you know, when we look at housing affordability and climate change, things aren't looking too good. Despair in the air and I think just coming out of COVID and just the reality of racism and inflation and political polarization and cultural wars and actual wars a lot of folks have a negative view of the way things are going in our country which is why gratitude has never been needed more." [44:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "One of the people who I really appreciate who I think understood this at a deep level was a British author named G.K. Chesterton. G.K. Chesterton wrote a ton of books, he wrote almost a hundred books, he authored 4,000 essays and articles and often he spoke about gratitude and he lived a life of deep gratitude. Once wrote I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." [46:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So we are glad to be celebrating. We are glad to be celebrating with you. I loved hearing the discussions. I loved hearing the conversation. And I know that's just the tip of the iceberg, right? Of just sharing how we've experienced God's goodness in the midst of challenges. And I really appreciated people's reflections and some of the serious challenges that we've faced this year." [01:06:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God, there is so much to be grateful for. And we want to say thank you. Thank you for this church and the way it's been a blessing to us. Thank you for the ways that our church has been able to be a blessing to our community. Thank you for the ways that we are growing. The ways we've experienced you and learned more about you in the last year. God, thank you for the ways you've been with us in the midst of change. Thank you for the challenges and the highlights." [01:12:13] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So as I give the benediction, I do just want to say how grateful I am for you all. How grateful I am for our church family. I'm grateful. I'm grateful for the ways that we truly walk with God and walk with one another and walk with those in need in our community. And I'm blessed to be heading into this new appointment year with you and excited for our future together." [01:16:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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