The essence of being a faithful servant of God is encapsulated in the significance of Thanksgiving, recognizing it as the catalyst for various virtues such as ministry, grace, hope, peace, and love. This concept extends beyond a single day in November, advocating for a continual presence of gratitude within our hearts throughout the year. As a church community, we aspire to invite God to instill a perpetual spirit of Never-Ending Thanksgiving, fostering transformation within our community. The understanding that God’s love extends to us through the gifts of hope, joy, and peace compels us to share His gospel and grace with others, emphasizing the communal responsibility to spread these blessings beyond individual boundaries.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 1:15–23.
Uniting in faith and fellowship holds a profound transformative power bestowed by God, manifesting in expressions of gratitude and the anticipation of future blessings through faith in Christ Jesus. The gift of the Holy Spirit, graciously given by Jesus, serves as a continual source of power, hope, love, peace, and joy. This divine generosity underscores the ceaseless nature of God’s giving, reinforcing that the spiritual connection formed through faith in Jesus brings about a sustained and abundant flow of blessings.
Our calling as a community is characterized by unwavering prayer for God’s transformative presence in our midst, emphasizing reliance on Him for knowledge, revelation, wisdom, and light. The continuous plea for divine guidance underscores our commitment to seeking God’s intervention to bring about positive change in our community. Drawing inspiration from Paul’s wisdom, we are reminded to abandon self-reliance and pray for God to provide the essential elements of knowledge, revelation, wisdom, and light, acknowledging that our understanding finds completeness in His divine guidance.
The commencement of the church year is embraced with a spirit of gratitude as we embark on the journey of Thanksgiving. Rooted in the understanding that God provides us with hope and fulfills our needs, we are called to express our gratitude to Him continually. Thanksgiving is a foundational pillar, setting the tone for the entire church year. As we transition into Advent, a season that inaugurates the ecclesiastical calendar, the echoes of Thanksgiving linger, prompting us to reflect on the blessings bestowed upon us and cultivate a perpetual attitude of thankfulness. Starting our ministry endeavors with Thanksgiving at the forefront, we are encouraged to pray for a spirit of gratitude to permeate our community. The aspiration is to give thanks and extend the essence of Grace, Peace, Joy, Hope, and Love to the broader community, creating a tapestry of goodwill that defines the ethos of our spiritual journey.
Horizon Community Church 