“The Power of Thanks”

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good and His love endures forever.  (1Ch 16:34)

  • NO SERVICE this Wednesday (Youth or Adult). 
  • NO FOODBANK this Saturday.
  • Join us for a Thanksgiving feast this Thursday from 12-2pm and invite others.  Click Here to RSVP.   Join us for food preparation from 1-5pm today (Wednesday).
  • Inner City Ministry:  Volunteer THIS Saturday (11/27) from 12-4pm to help those in need. Children are welcome.  Meet at The Rock at noon this Saturday.  Email John.Keesen@gmail.com with questions.

 

Dear Rock Family,

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  It is an opportunity for the people of our nation to gather together with family and friends and give thanks to God for all He has provided for us.  May we never forget that He is the giver of every good and perfect gift! (James 1:17)

You may not be aware of this, but the first Thanksgiving celebration for the Unites States of America was exactly 400 years ago, in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans came together for 3 days to Give thanks to God for the colony’s first successful autumn harvest.

And then on October 3, 1863, at the height of the Civil War and after a pivotal Union Army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln gave a proclamation that our nation would celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863.  President Lincoln implored all Americans to ask God to “commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

I believe President Lincoln had a spiritual understanding of the power of thankfulness to God.  It was a key ingredient to bringing our nation together in the midst of division and being at war against itself.

May we correctly position our hearts this Thanksgiving as we give thanks to God!
Thankfulness sets our heart in a position of gratitude to God’s goodness and grace.
Thankfulness gives honor to our God…giving Him the honor due.
Thankfulness sets our hearts in a position of humility (complete dependence on God) and helps to break down any pride that may have entered.
Thankfulness is a form of worship and blessing and praise that positions our hearts to yield to the Lord’s will and ways!
Thankfulness helps to keep our mind out of a place of grumbling and complaining.
And thankfulness attracts the presence and the blessings of God.

I want to challenge and encourage you to take some time this Thanksgiving with your family and friends (before you eat) to give thanks, honor, gratitude, and praise to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Here are some Scriptures you can read and pray into as you position your heart in thankfulness and gratitude to our God…

Colossians 3:15-17  “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him (Jesus) to God the Father.”

1 Thess 5:16-18  “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Phil 4:4-7  “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Lord – May our mouths be filled with joyous praise that comes from a heart of thankfulness and gratitude for who you are, for what you have done, and for what you are going to do!  Father, you are always good, always faithful, and your love endures endlessly!  Lord, would you invoke the power of your Holy Spirit to unravel all anger and division towards others, dissension from your will and ways, and the prevailing evil that has entered this nation.  May we be a prayerful and thankful people who humble ourselves, seek your face with all our hearts, and turn fully from our own ways to your ways as you reveal them by your Spirit.  May we be a blessing to our family and to our friends and may your nature and character reflect in our hearts and lives as we behold you King Jesus!

Thank you for first loving us so that we may love all (even our enemies) with your love!

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray this.  Amen.

We love you!
Pastors Mike & Kristi and your Rock Staff family

 

 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

 

NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE  this week. 

NO YOUTH ~ BASE CAMP (6th – 12th Grade) this week.

 

1st Thursday of the Month (12/2) Hot Meals. NO Saturday Morning Food Bank Distribution this week.

https://www.therock.org/foodbank/

Email Lindy@therock.org if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

SUNDAY MORNING PRE-SERVICE PRAYER  8:15-9:15am – *In-Person & On-line*

ZOOM Direct Video Link:

              https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85340164797?pwd=V0lmWFRRL0R6Tm56QTdRUHNoMWI3QT09

              ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797

              Passcode: 1   (NOTE: The Passcode was added for security,

              but is not needed if you click on the ZOOM link above.)
              ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*  

              Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  Here are some ways you can partner with The Rock as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, compassion help, missions, and our food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give

 

 

Have a Question, Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?
Please email us at family@therock.org and put QUESTION, PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.