Abundance-Gratitude-Mission-“A Thanksgiving Story”

This is the text of the handout Pr. Martinson refers to at the start of the sermon.

 

Abundance – Gratitude– Mission

 

“A Thanksgiving Story”

 

Luke 17:11-19

 

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 Jesus saw them he said to them,

“Go 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?  The other nine, where are they?

Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

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Giving Thanks…

Acknowledges that all that we have comes from God

Keeps us from evil, from coveting what we don’t have

Enriches our experience of life day to day

Fires our eagerness to make good life with and for others

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“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more.”

Melodie Beattie

 

“Gratitude is riches.  Complaint is poverty.”

Doris Day

 

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.”

Oprah Winfrey

 

 

 

 

Abundance – Gratitude – Mission

 

A Thanksgiving Psalm

 

Psalm 23

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

He restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his names sake.

 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;

For you are with me;

Your rod and your staff – they comfort me.

 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

 

 

Shepherd – compassionate leader

Green pastures – places of plenty; freedom from want

Still waters – serenity and safety; restored vitality

Right paths – ways the are good and safe

You are with me – God as protector and companion

 

Host – gracious safety and plentiful food and other resources

Anointed – Valued and respected my heart is full

Goodness and mercy – now and on into the future

House of the Lord – present with God in all circumstances forever.

 

 

Context – Scarcity; confusion; weariness; danger; emptiness;

Worship – Sacred ground; truth speaking; healing; encouragement;

World – Created ground; place of life; faith in action;

 

Practicing Gratitude

Reflect and name what you have, what you have going for you in your life, in your life with God.

Express thanks to God, pray the 23^rd Psalm, and to Others in your life with a note/email/text