2022 11 23 Sermon
Tell About a Time You Felt Thankful
Thanksgiving Eve
1 Chronicles 16:1-13; Psalm 30; Philippians 4:4-9
Rev. Karl-John N. Stone
Did you know that there is a treatment available that is scientifically proven to improve sleep, mood, and immunity? This treatment also decreases depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and risk of disease. All of these benefits are possible with just this one treatment. Also, did you know that it is available without a prescription? It is also accessible to everyone, and it is free of charge. The name of this wonder drug? Gratitude! https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health
As the Mayo Clinic describes it, “If there was a pill that could do this, we'd all be taking it. Our brains are designed to problem-solve rather than appreciate. And we often must override this design to reap the benefits of gratitude.” The problem-solving aspect of our brains is important because it helps us survive. But once we have survived whatever problem we have been facing, it is our ability to be grateful, to give thanks, that leads us into a greater joy, peace, and satisfaction in life.
The Mayo Clinic and other researchers have proven this scientifically and medically. But we have known about the effects of giving thanks for far longer. “Thanksgiving” is one of the most common topics in the Bible, and it is mentioned in a variety of ways. St. Paul, writing in Philippians 4, puts it like this: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Instead of worrying about anything, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. When you do these things, you will experience God’s peace.”
Going even further back, into the Old Testament, we see how giving thanks was an essential part of Israelite worship, and we heard an example from the time when they began living in Jerusalem. The people gave thanks to God by presenting offerings, sharing food, and worshiping God with music, blessings, praise, and telling one another about the wonderful things God has done.
Psalm 30 is one example of how a person might tell of what God had done—this person cried out to God for help, and the Lord restored their health. First, the cry of despair that seems like it will last forever when you are in the middle of it: “Hear me, Lord, have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord”. Eventually, over time, with faith and trust in the Lord, you realize that “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. God has turned my mourning into joyful dancing, that I might sing praises and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”
Tonight during our Thanksgiving worship service, we will have the chance (in the way of King David) to “Give thanks to the Lord” by telling each other “about God’s wonderful deeds”. And we are going to try using a method that our HOP Outside the Box Team learned during their first Faithful Innovation training event. So when I give you the word, you will find another person or two near you, someone who looks “reasonably friendly”, and all you will need to do is briefly tell about a time when you thanked God for something—or simply when you felt thankful.
Now, let me give you an example. I felt really thankful when I got home on Monday evening, because our congregation had just finished an outreach project, which was to provide and serve a meal to hungry people in downtown Racine. I was thankful for several reasons. There were a number of House of Prayer members who planned the menu and cooked the spaghetti bake or brownies ahead of time. There were several who were able to go to St. Luke’s in Racine, and either unload the food, heat it up, or dish it into “to-go” containers. There were the monetary offerings from our whole congregation throughout the year that supported the First Fruits fund, which was able to fund this project. And at the end of the day 90 people who live near St. Luke’s, and over 30 more people at a homeless shelter, were able to have a delicious meal that maybe they wouldn’t have had that night!
Your example doesn’t have to be that involved. Maybe you are simply thankful that you saw the sunrise this morning. What is the story of how that sunrise moved you? Or maybe you’re thankful that you're going to eat some pie soon, or that you saw—or will soon be seeing—an old friend or family member for Thanksgiving. So you can tell someone about that. But after each person has told their story, then the other person who listened should tell that person who spoke what you heard them say. Knowing that your story has been heard completes the circle of thanksgiving.