In early October, Ascension’s Church Council, staff, and leaders met to reflect on the last 22 months and consider the next twelve months of ministry. I am grateful beyond words, for Ascension’s staff and leadership that continue to show up, commit, engage, and pray for the community and ministry of Ascension.
In this month of November, there is so much for which I give thanks to God. A community of faithful members and friends who gather for worship both in-person and online each Sunday; for children, junior and senior high school students and their parents who encourage, and transport and commit to bringing their family members to BLAST, JOLT, and CRASH. For musicians, who have stayed committed to enhancing our worship – choirs, organ, praise band, handbells, and the addition of special moments with additional instruments. Such joy to hear once again after a time of silence.
As we have moved into this month of November, I am reminded that for many, we will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I cannot even remember what we did or did not do for Thanksgiving last year. What I do know is that I do not want to take anything for granted. So, I promised myself that for the month of November and into December – I will not take gathering together for worship for granted. I will not take singing together for granted. I will not take the receiving of communion for granted. I will not take seeing the face of students for granted. I will not take the sounds of infants and toddlers for granted. I will not take the laughter and noise of children for granted. I will not take book study participants for granted. I will not take weddings or baptisms for granted. Honestly, hopefully, never again will I gloss over a precious moment of the divine connecting with our humanity.
In the spirit of not taking anything for granted, I am taking a moment to share this moment of reflection with you. I love the holiday of Thanksgiving. A table decorated with everything. There can be brightly colored tablecloths and candles to light. Flowers and place cards might show up. In our house, we pull out the china and the flatware and the crystal and even the 8-year-old gets to drink sparkling cider from the crystal stemware. We cook family recipes a couple of days before, so we only need to reheat them the day of Thanksgiving. Usually, the turkey comes out of the freezer days before or we buy fresh and still need to give the bird time to warm to room temperature before we stuff it with lemons, onions, oranges, rosemary, thyme, and a stick of butter when my wife is not watching.
Last year, the morning of Thanksgiving Day began with the sunrise and was quickly followed by a heavy gray cloud in our home. Setting a place at the table for my mom, even as she would not be present for the celebration. It was one of the holidays that was hardest last year – the table is central – and each of the guests around the table carry the title and importance of honored guests. I was grateful to my wife for setting the table last year, including a place for my mom with a lit candle representing her presence with us. Many of us will be facing this Thanksgiving with the absence of someone we love – because the coronavirus maintains a constant reminder that life is anything but “normal” right now; because travel challenges prevent some from gathering; because job loss or transitions bring financial constraints; because relationships have become more complicated in the lingering pandemic; because the power of death still rises up in this life even as Jesus has overcome the power of death in the life to come. I wonder who will be missing from your table this year. More importantly, I wonder who will be present? For whom will you set a place at the table this year?
Maybe this year, take nothing for granted? Pull out the china and leave the paper plates for the day after Thanksgiving. Unless you buy the fancy paper plates with the Thanksgiving decorations on them – then by all means use the paper plates. Regardless, dear friends, honor this one request from one of your pastors this year. Please, please, please – take nothing for granted in all these days of November that lead up to Thanksgiving. Stop for just a moment and offer a prayer of thanks to the One who blesses us with more than we can possibly imagine.
In the early 1200s, German theologian, Meister Eckhart wrote these words: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” I am convinced Meister Eckhart is right. Take nothing for granted in this life and say thank you to the one who has never once taken you for granted. Thanks be to God for all of your and for this life with every twist and turn. I am grateful to God for all of this and all that will come in the days ahead. See you in church!
Pastor Chris