Monthly Mailing - October 2024
Unlike many churches, in the short history of our congregation we have not developed a tradition of holding Harvest Thanksgiving Services. If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure why that is. Like many churches we have a weekly collection for a Foodbank and many Harvest Services put an emphasis on making an annual collection for that purpose The original intention of harvest thanksgiving services was, however, just that: to give thanks to God for the harvest.
It seems like such a simple thing to do: to give thanks. It can, however, be easily forgotten as we focus on things that seem more important or pressing. In our prayers, for example, how quickly we can rush in to asking God for blessings on others and on ourselves; or telling God the problems that we and others are facing, and we forget to give thanks.
The well-known story of the 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus when only one came back to thank him and honour God is a good case in point (Luke 17). In that story whilst all 10 were ‘cleansed’ of their leprosy, only that one is told that his faith has “made him well”. The implication is that he has not only ‘got better’ but has been healed in his body and soul. The importance of thanks giving is highlighted as it leads to a fuller relationship with God.
Of course we might question the idea of thanking God in order to receive from God, but the psalmist writes that we enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise (Psalm 100). To enter into the courts of God is to be in a place where we can receive all that God wants to give to us in the way of both blessings and commissions. But before you can come into the courts you need to come through the gates. Thanksgiving is essential so that we can draw close to God.
Paul urges us to give thanks in every circumstance (as well as rejoicing always and praying continually – which is God’s will for us). There are challenging circumstances in which it can seem difficult to give thanks, but the old habit of counting your blessings is a good one to have and can lead us into joyful and victorious prayer.
As a church we have much to give thanks for and to ask God for. I've attached a short update on some of what is going on in and around the church as well as the usual bits and pieces for Sunday, which is a Communion service. Let us therefore enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with Praise.
Sarah and I give thanks for you and, as always, please let me know if I can be of any help.
Bless you
Ian
52 Ashgrove Road West
ABERDEEN
AB16 5EE
Tel. 01224 686929
iaitken@churchofscotland.org.uk
www.stockethillchurch.org.uk
Aberdeen: Stockethill Church of Scotland
Scottish Charity Number - SC030587