Good Morning PGCC, November 24th

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Marilyn Bennett

“Give thanks in all circumstances

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I Thessalonians 5:18

I have been blessed recently by giving thanks to God for something that was really difficult to endure. I was reminded this morning when a young woman I met in a meeting last night told me her husband died last month from Covid. I, too, have suffered the loss of most of my family. What could I tell her that helped me? Then I remembered. After my husband died, I began the practice of thanking God every time the grief, hurt and pain welled up inside of me bursting into loud cries. Those tears of loss began turning into tears of joy remembering his life.

This daily practice of giving thanks for what was hurting me began when I missed my husband. When I began to grieve, I thanked God for giving me time with him. This was difficult at first because I cried through most of the prayer, but then my mood began to change. Instead of sadness, my gratefulness brought me joy. I even purchased a small binder filled with 3X5 cards on which I wrote specific things he would say on certain occasions. I was surprised I could remember his words exactly. While doing this, I imagined the followers of Jesus doing the same, either writing or saying the words of Jesus together in community “in remembrance of Him.”

When I read Paul’s words in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” I wondered if this was possible. Could I really thank God earnestly for all the terrible things that have happened in my life? Could I thank God for my first husband of 28 years who lost his love for me and left me for another woman? Could I thank God for her breaking up my marriage? Could I thank God for the pain our children suffered when their father would not see them? Could I thank God my son has Crohns disease? Could I thank God when my daughter lost her job? Could I thank God for the people who intentionally hurt me or my children with their cruel words? Could I thank God each time I suffer with the pain of Arthritis? Could I thank God when I suffer extreme loneliness? Then, I remembered what the Apostle Paul endured in 2 Corinthians 12:23-33. He boasted about his sufferings.

In fact, Jesus suffered betrayal, mockery, flogging, shame, and the agony of dying on the cross with joy: “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

I used to try to find good things for which to thank God. I never thought of thanking God for the bad things, the hard things, or the painful things, have you? Start making a list today of those things in your life that were painful (and still are) and for the people who have hurt you. Thank God for each one of them. Thanking God for bad things will feel impossible and seem ridiculous, but I promise, when you do, God will heal you of the pain and hurt you feel, and you will be blessed.

THANK YOU!

Your generosity has provided more than 125 Christmas boxes that will bring Good News to underprivileged children around the world.

Purchase Your Ticket this Sunday!

Food, Singing, Surprises, and lots of Fun

WHY AREN'T WE COLLECTING GROCERIES

FOR THE FOOD BANK?

We normally collect groceries every month for the local Saint Vincent DePaul Food Bank, especially at Thanksgiving. So, people are asking why we're not this year.

Answer: St. Vincent de Paul is following the policy of the Placer County Food Bank regarding food donation: “In light of the current situation with the Coronavirus, safety is of our utmost concern. Until further notice, we are NOT accepting individual food donations. In lieu of food donations, we are encouraging our community to donate money so that we may build our emergency food inventory.”

Question: How can I support the St. Vincent de Paul programs that provide food to those in need?

Answer: You already are through your giving to the church. We will be sending a gift of $1,000 this week to Saint Vincent DePaul. You may also donate directly to SVDP at www.placersvdp.com/donate/

Question: Is PGCC still participating in the Grocery Bag Delivery Program through St. Vincent de Paul?

Answer: Yes. The weekly delivery of groceries to homebound/disabled persons by PGCC team members is continuing just as it has for the past several years. Would you like to volunteer to be on this team? Contact Bev and Nelson Schmidt at bjschmidt9@sbcglobal.net.

Hope Tree

for Acres of Hope

There is a small Christmas tree in the lobby this Sunday where you can take an ornament. Each ornament represents a gift card that you will purchase to bring HOPE to women at Acres of Hope. Bring your Gift Cards back to the Women's Ministry Table in the church lobby or bring them to the Women's Christmas Brunch.