Pulpit Exchange and Thanksgiving Celebration with WRT

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude for God’s Daily Provision and Mercy

Each new day is a gift from God, not something earned or deserved, but given out of His abundant grace and mercy. He is the One who wakes us up, provides for our needs, keeps a roof over our heads, food on our tables, and clothes on our backs—even when resources seem scarce or uncertain. In every circumstance, God’s faithfulness sustains us, and our hearts are called to respond with thanksgiving and praise, recognizing that every blessing comes from His loving hand. [39:39]

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: What is one specific way you can express gratitude to God today for a provision or mercy you might usually take for granted?

Day 2: The Power of Confession and God’s Forgiveness

No one is without sin; we all fall short and make mistakes along life’s journey. Yet God invites us to come honestly before Him, confessing not just some but all of our sins, trusting that He will forgive, cleanse, and renew us. When we seek His forgiveness, He promises to cast our sins into the sea of forgetfulness and create in us a clean heart, restoring our joy and relationship with Him. [41:05]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: Is there a burden of guilt or regret you need to bring to God today, trusting Him to forgive and renew you completely?

Day 3: The Importance of Community and Unity in Worship

When people from different backgrounds, traditions, and even faith communities come together in worship, it is a powerful witness to the world of God’s love and the hope that unity brings. Despite differences in how or where we worship, coming together in praise shows that all is not lost and that love for God and neighbor can overcome division. This unity reflects God’s heart and points to the possibility of peace and reconciliation in a divided world. [01:27:08]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Reflection: How can you intentionally reach out to someone different from you this week to build unity and reflect God’s love?

Day 4: The Transforming Power of Prayer

Prayer is more than a ritual; it is an intimate conversation with God where burdens are laid down, hearts are opened, and lives are changed. Whether in times of trouble or thanksgiving, prayer connects us to God’s presence and power, reminding us that He hears even our faintest cries and answers in His perfect timing. Through prayer, we find comfort, guidance, and the assurance that God is working on our behalf. [36:29]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one burden or concern you need to bring honestly to God in prayer today, trusting Him to hear and respond?

Day 5: Serving Others as an Expression of Faith

Faith is not just about personal blessings but also about being a blessing to others, especially those in need. Acts of service—like providing coats for children, preparing meals for families, or volunteering time—are tangible ways to share God’s love and meet practical needs in the community. When we serve, we become God’s hands and feet, making a difference and reflecting His generosity and compassion to the world. [01:41:13]

Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can serve this week, and what specific action can you take to meet their need in love?

Sermon Summary

Today marks a joyful return to our sanctuary after four months of worshiping in the fellowship hall, and it is a blessing to gather together with both our Greater Centennial family and our friends from West Cheshire Reform Temple. This homecoming is more than a return to a physical space—it is a rededication of our hearts, our worship, and our community to God’s glory. We are reminded that it is not by our own strength or merit that we are here, but by the grace and mercy of God, who has kept us, provided for us, and sustained us through every trial and tribulation.

As we gather at the altar, we are invited to bring our burdens, our gratitude, and our confessions before the Lord. The altar is a sacred place of intimacy with God, where we can be honest about our struggles and shortcomings, and where we can receive forgiveness and renewal. We acknowledge that we have all fallen short, but God’s promise is to create in us clean hearts and to renew our spirits, so that we might become more loving, more peaceful, and more like Christ each day.

We also lift up those among us who are sick, grieving, or in need, trusting that God is still a healer, a redeemer, and a way maker. Our prayers extend to specific members and families, and we reaffirm our commitment to care for one another in tangible ways—through prayer, acts of service, and generosity. The ongoing coat drive, Thanksgiving meal deliveries, and support for those in need are all expressions of our faith in action.

Today’s worship is enriched by the presence and participation of our WRT friends, reminding us that unity across differences is possible and beautiful. In a world that often feels divided, our coming together is a testimony that hope is not lost. We can love God fully and love our neighbors as ourselves, showing the world a glimpse of God’s kingdom.

As we celebrate anniversaries, milestones, and the faithfulness of God over the years, we are called to continue sowing seeds of love, service, and generosity. We consecrate not only our gifts but also ourselves, trusting that God will bring forth a harvest in our lives and in our community. May we go forth in peace, carrying the blessing, protection, and presence of God with us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Returning and Rededication Returning to the sanctuary is more than a physical act; it is a spiritual opportunity to rededicate ourselves and our worship to God. Every new beginning is a chance to renew our commitment, to invite God’s presence afresh, and to remember that sacred spaces are made holy by the people who gather and the God who meets them there. [34:40]
2. Honest Prayer and Intimacy with God The altar is a place where we can bring our true selves—our burdens, our gratitude, and our confessions. God invites us into honest conversation, not just ritual. In that vulnerability, we find healing, forgiveness, and the strength to become more like Christ, day by day. [37:17]
3. Unity Across Difference as a Witness When communities of different backgrounds come together in worship and service, it is a powerful witness to the world. In a time of division, our unity proclaims that hope endures and that love for God and neighbor transcends boundaries, offering a glimpse of God’s kingdom on earth. [87:08]
4. Faith Expressed Through Service and Generosity Our faith is not just words or feelings but is made real in acts of service—feeding the hungry, clothing the cold, and caring for the vulnerable. Generosity is not about abundance but about trust in God’s provision and a willingness to be the answer to someone else’s prayer. [98:29]
5. The Blessing of Community and Shared Journey Celebrating anniversaries and milestones reminds us that our journey is not solitary. God’s faithfulness is revealed in the relationships, support, and shared experiences of the community. We are called to walk together, bearing one another’s burdens and rejoicing in each other’s joys. [55:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:24] - Return to the Sanctuary
[34:58] - Invitation to Prayer
[36:15] - A Little Talk with Jesus
[37:17] - The Altar: Place of Intimacy
[38:35] - Thanksgiving and Praise
[40:41] - Confession and Forgiveness
[41:29] - Becoming More Like Christ
[42:06] - Prayers for Healing and Guidance
[43:32] - Rededicating the Sanctuary
[55:07] - Celebrating 13 Years Together
[57:02] - Pulpit Exchange and Unity
[87:08] - Hope in Unity
[98:29] - Serving the Community
[105:33] - Benediction and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV) — > Create in me a clean heart, O God,
> and renew a right spirit within me.
> Cast me not away from your presence,
> and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
> Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
> and uphold me with a willing spirit.

2. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
> And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

3. Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
> Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what does returning to the sanctuary represent beyond just coming back to a building? [[34:40]]
What are some specific ways the church community is putting faith into action, as mentioned in the sermon? [[01:38:29]]
In Psalm 51, what does the psalmist ask God to do for him?
How does the sermon describe the altar as a place of intimacy with God? [[37:17]]

Interpretation Questions

Why might the act of rededicating the sanctuary be important for the spiritual life of the congregation? [[43:32]]
What does it mean to bring our “true selves” to God in prayer, and how can this lead to healing and renewal? [[37:17]]
The sermon highlights unity between Greater Centennial and West Cheshire Reform Temple. What message does this send to the wider community about God’s kingdom? [[01:27:08]]
How does serving others—like through the coat drive or Thanksgiving meals—demonstrate trust in God’s provision? [[01:38:29]]

Application Questions

The sermon says returning to the sanctuary is a chance to rededicate our hearts to God. Is there an area of your life that you feel needs rededication right now? What would it look like to offer that to God this week? [[34:40]]
When was the last time you brought your honest struggles or confessions to God in prayer? What holds you back from being completely open with God? [[37:17]]
The church is actively caring for those who are sick, grieving, or in need. Is there someone in your life or community you could reach out to this week with a call, a meal, or a prayer? [[42:42]]
The sermon celebrates unity across differences. Are there people in your life—maybe from a different background or perspective—whom you could make an effort to connect with or understand better? [[01:27:08]]
The coat drive and Thanksgiving meal deliveries are examples of faith in action. What is one practical way you can serve or give generously this month, even if it feels like a small gesture? [[01:38:29]]
The sermon mentions celebrating milestones and anniversaries as a community. How can you be more intentional about rejoicing with others and supporting them through both joys and burdens? [[55:17]]
The blessing at the end of the service asks God to “consecrate the sower” as well as the gift. What does it mean for you to be consecrated or set apart for God’s purposes in your daily life? [[01:44:40]]

Sermon Clips

We praise you for being God. We praise you for being good to us. But, God, even in the midst of our Thanksgiving, even in the midst of our praise, God, we have to admit that we have all sinned and we fell short of your glory. That, God, we've all messed up. We've all made mistakes. We've all had hiccups in our road of life, God. But you've said we can come to you and ask for forgiveness, God. [00:40:26] (25 seconds) #GraceAndForgiveness

So here we are asking you, God, to forgive us of not some of our sin but all of our sin. Take all of our sin and throw it in the sea of forgetfulness never to remember it again. Even now in the name of Jesus that you would create in each of us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within each and every one of us that, God, that we would be able to rejoice on the day of our salvation. [00:40:52] (27 seconds) #CleanHeartRenewedSpirit

God, we want to be more like you. But, God, some of your children have come to the altar this morning because they confess that they need you. They confess that they can't make it a day without you. They confess that they can't take another step without you, God. [00:41:36] (18 seconds) #DependOnGod

We rededicate this place to you. We rededicate it that your power and your presence would be in this place, oh God. We rededicate every vestment, every instrument, God, every service. We rededicate it to you even right now, God, in the name of Jesus. [00:43:38] (17 seconds) #AnsweredPrayers

Then, Lord, there's some things that my forgetful mind has failed to ask you for, but please don't fail to deliver. Hear the prayers. Hear the petitions of these people and grant them to be so. [00:43:56] (17 seconds) #GivingWithJoy

There is no doubt that God is in charge. Nothing by coincidence or happenstance, the divine will. Thank you, Rabbi Blake. Thank you for reminding us that God is in charge. [01:25:27] (26 seconds) #DivinePlan

We're living in an interesting time where it seems like the whole world is divided. It's my way or no way. It's my way or no way. It's my way or no way. It's my way or It's We don't value each other's opinion anymore. when I see WRT and Greater Centennial come together, it reminds me that there's still hope. reminds me that we can love God with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our might, and then love our neighbors like we love ourselves. This shows the world that all is not lost. All hope is not gone. [01:26:12] (63 seconds) #UnityInDiversity

Just this past week I believe we dropped off Some 60 coats to Rebecca Turn the school for kids That they would have a warm coat To go to school And we did that in faith Knowing you're going to replenish Our kid coat selection Amen. [01:38:35] (17 seconds) #FaithInGiving

We were at WRT on Friday and I was sitting down at one of the tables. We were talking and one of the members of WRT, she I enjoyed the conversation because she was just very frank in her conversation. And she said, you know what the difference is between our churches? I said, no. What's the difference? How we get our money. So she said to me, she said, how we get our money. She said, in the synagogue, we pay dues. But y'all pass the plate. I said, yeah. She said, yeah, that's a big difference. She said, because we pay hefty dues, hefty dues. I almost asked her, how much are the dues? Because this might be an idea we need to bring over here. Rabbi Blake said he's going to start passing the plate. This pulpit exchange is working. So I thought that was very interesting that we that was the biggest difference between our churches. So since we don't have dues, we're going to pass the plate. But as you leave, you can give your offering today. Amen. Amen. [01:42:19] (87 seconds) #BlessOurGifts

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