November 2017
I would like to begin to thank each and everyone of you in our church. You make me thankful to be your pastor and my family to be your parsonage family. Your kind expressions of love have shown us just how much we are appreciated in this community of faith. Thank you all for your generous gifts and special cards. It has blessed our family. Thank you again.
November is here and I pray the LORD has you ready for a wonderful fall. We will take time to remember those who have gone on before us on November 5, All Saints Day. Including Mr. Paul Owensby, Mrs. Lois Lewis, Mrs. Ruth Stewart, Mrs. Betty Jenkins, and Mrs. Marie Ballard. We are so thankful for those who have set the example and lived out the witness of Christ here on this earth. On this special day of recognition, we will invite their family members to say a word about their loved one as we light a candle in their remembrance. Plus, anyone else in the congregation can share a story about them too.
We also look for ward to a time of community celebration with thanksgiving sharing a Community Thanksgiving Service on November 15th at 6:30 p.m. in our own church. Bro. Billy Harris from the Linden Baptist Church will speak. Having our own family and friends Celebrating Thanksgiving around our own tables with bountiful food and fun. What a time to remember and give thanks to the ONE WHO Blesses us.
Philippians 4:6 says, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to GOD. I want you to know I have been praying for this church and you individually. To let GOD have HIS way with you and to add to the church. To help each of us mature in our relationship with HIM. To get to know HIM better and what HE tells us in HIS WORD. So when we had to write the letter about our finances. We started praying for GOD’s Provision. HE tells us in 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And HIS ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” Therefore, I pray we are walking in righteousness and holiness. That GOD is hearing our prayers and responding by providing for our financial needs in our church. We have to have faith to continue to fight the spiritual battles and to know HIM so well HE will never leave us nor forsake us.
Please remember those less fortunate than you this Thanksgiving and offer to invite someone over for Thanksgiving dinner this year. The reason is to bless them with what you have been blessed with throughout this year. You can not out give GOD. So as you give away JESUS this holiday season I pray GOD blesses you. As HE does so you then in turn can be a blessing to others.
Have a wonderful month of thanksgiving sharing HIS LOVE wherever you go!
Thank you for serving the LORD JESUS CHRIST here in Linden United Methodist Faith Community. You all are special in your own way and I pray God uses you during this most beautiful time of year. Have a Blessed month of ministry!
In Christ Jesus,
Bro. Tony Antonelli, 2 Timothy 2:15