Thursday Daily FC – Farmersville United Methodist Church

FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC

Ministry Updates for Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26^th, 2020

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Reflection –

This is the prescribed reading for Thanksgiving Day for both Protestants and Catholics, and has been for a very long time. I just thought you might like to know.

I feel like a ten percent ‘thank you’ rate is not good. What more could Jesus do for them, besides restore them to healthy society?

They did not know it, but he could. And he did. He not only risked himself coming in contact with these diseased people (and as many Christians and other caring people has risked themselves working in similar situations); he gave his life for them.

Our Thanksgiving Prayer

God of unfailing goodness, on this Thanksgiving Holiday, we want to give you thanks:

For those we love… whether they are alive or have passed into eternal life.

For those we love… whether we are able to gather with them during this holiday or not.

For those we love… whether our relationships are strong, strained or estranged.

For those we love… and the chances you give us to show them our love.

For those who love us… by serving our world, our nation, our community, or the church.

For those who love us… by being our spouse or our family.

For those who love us… by being our friend, our co-worker, or our church member.

For those who love us… by being our teachers, our mentors, or our colleagues.

For You who love us… by being our creator.

For Christ who loves us… by being our example and our redeemer.

For the Holy Spirit who loves us… by inspiring us and guiding us daily.

On this day, help us be thoughtful enough and pause and consider the good in our life, so we might be more like the one who returned to Jesus to give thanks. Amen.