Thanksgiving. Definitely my favorite holiday. I mean you have food, family and football how can you not like it? No but really, as I write this I am sitting at home on my mom’s couch and I’m almost giddy with anticipation for tomorrow. Growing up Thanksgiving was always a time when we got together with extended family, when I got to connect with cousins and grandparents, family friends and aunts and uncles. I could care less about the turkey as long as I got to see everyone. This has not changed with age. It’s probably only intensified. And this year as I look back on all the things I’m thankful for I can’t help but think about all of you at St. Stephanus. It has been an incredible blessing in my life to be part of the church family at St. Stephanus. And specifically for you Connecting Group leaders. For all that you do for the desire you have to share the Gospel with those in your communities and lives. My pastor shared this with our congregation tonight and I wanted to share it with you, because I cannot imagine a more appropriate text for how I feel at the moment.
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. ~ Philippians 1:3-11
Happy Thanksgiving Connecting Group Facilitators. May God continue to bless you and this ministry over the coming year.
In Christ,
Megan







