Weekly Newsletter

Hello friends,
The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NRSVUE) “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.
I don't know about you, but I find this verse easy to read but a bit difficult to follow at times. Paul doesn't just tell the Thessalonian church to “be thankful when all is well,” but in “everything, give thanks.”
That word “everything” seems to carry the idea of… well, everything.
I have little doubt that you have gone through times of significant testing, and at that time, and perhaps even now, it is hard to find a lot to be thankful for.
Another powerful verse can be found in Romans 8:28 (NRSVUE) “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Perhaps a good way to better appreciate and understand these verses is to think about a chocolate cake. (I could use another illustration, but I like chocolate cake.)
We can see many of the ingredients in chocolate cake and would never think of eating them as a single ingredient, such as flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and more. Yet, add some sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and mix them in correct portions and bake, and it becomes something that tastes amazing!
While that's a bit of a simple illustration, it does bring home the fact that God knows the “big picture” of what He wants our lives to look like. He doesn't focus on one event or even two, and even when we think it's what we would call “an impossible situation,” God can perform a miracle with life's “ingredients.”
We can be thankful in all things if we remember that our lives are in the hands of a loving and powerful God. The key is to keep a thankful spirit, not only one day a year, but “at all times.”

Maybe this year you might want to create a “Fall Grateful Pumpkin.” Amy Latta first came up with the idea of using a pumpkin as a place to write down things her family was thankful for a few years ago. She was looking for a way to teach her son about Thanksgiving without getting "caught up in the craziness of the holidays."
You will need a pumpkin, a permanent marker and a heart full of gratitude. On the very top of the pumpkin, write “We are thankful for “and then write down a few things. As you go, just turn the pumpkin, and write them down one after the other. Soon you will see the wonderful blessings you have, and you will have a great centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

This Sunday we will be finishing up our sermon series, “Connected”
Don’t forget Orchard's “Trunk or Treat” on October 24, 5:00 -6:30pm. Orchard’s Church conference is October 15, 6-7pm. During this time, we will be voting on officers, and the budget. Please come and support your Church.

God Bless you all.
Pastor Robyne