Thanks Giving - Holy at Home - November 2022

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Matthew 6: 19-21 + 1 Peter 4:8-11

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Peter 4:8-11

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

Time, Treasure, Talent

We're all called to give to our church community, but what does that look like? Jesus tells us that we should not shore up our treasures on earth, but in heaven. For early believers, many did not have treasures to shore up anywhere, so they instead gave of their time and talent either by volunteering or offering to sit with those in need so they were not alone

What can you do?

1 2. 3.

What are you good at? How could you use that talent to help the church?

What do you like to do with your time? How can you use that to help others know Jesus? What do you need from your church community?

GIVING

Why do we give?

We give so that we may be a blessing and shine God's light into the world. As Paul said:

... remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (Acts 20:35, NIV)

We are a church community, the hands and feet of Jesus, able to go into the world to make it a better place We can do this by giving freely of our time, talent and treasure for this mission.

Traditionally we are called to tithe. This means that when we are given money, we are to consider it a blessing by God and to give a portion back in gratitude Traditionally this has meant the first 10% or the "first fruits" But God only desires joyful giving as an expression of thanks this is about a matter of the heart, not a rule to follow

Not all giving has to be monetary. Perhaps you love creating music maybe you could sing a special arrangement of a hymn to bring people closer to God. Or maybe you love learning maybe you can study the Bible to better explain your faith and what Jesus has done in your life Perhaps you love talking to people and getting to know them what would happen if you told them about what Jesus has done in your life?

For whatever method of giving you choose, know that your contributions to our church community are welcomed, celebrated, and loved. God works wonders through a church whose heart is open to being His hands and feet and who relishes in being a part of His plan

Spiritual Gifts Quiz

Discover your spiritual gifts and how you can use them in your church! Rank all of the following from 1 (never) to 4 (always) .

18. I encourage others to trust God even when times are hard 19. My friends come to me when they're upset 20. I set goals and complete them 21. I help others work together to do important things 22. I'd like to preach 23. I feel God's presence 24. I like helping others walk with the Lord 25. In a group, people look to me for direction 26. I feel God when I help at church 27. I'd like to teach a Bible study 28. I like making new friends 29. I like getting others excited to do God's work 30. I like learning new things and telling others about them 31. I enjoy telling Bible stories 32. I like making others feel comfortable 33. I want to learn as much as I can about the Bible 17. I feel good about myself when I do jobs other's don't 34. I like to come up with new activities 35. When I see unfairness, I want to say something about it

I like organizing events 1. 2. I like making things 3. I pray for my friends to know the Lord 4. I can always put a smile on someone's face 5. People say I am kind 6. Spending time in prayer is exciting to me 7. I like inviting friends to my house 8. My heart hurts when I see others hurting 9. I believe God will use me to do great things 10. I like talking about God 11. I like to play school with my friends 12. I like helping others 13. I like reading the Bible 14. I talk to my friends about Jesus 16. I can sense when someone is hurting

15. I often determine which activities we're going to do

Spiritual Gifts Quiz

Pastors are often called shepherds because they are called to care for the spiritual well being of their congregation. When you speak, others listen. Encourage this gift by leading by Godly example with your friends, looking for chances to start ministries in your church, and preach the Gospel with your life and voice

Hospitality

Making friends comes easy to you and you love to make people feel more comfortable in all situations. You are also great at planning and throwing events, and light up a room. Consider encouraging your spiritual gift by planning field trips or fellowship events for the youth group - or planning a large holiday party.

All Christians are called to be merciful as Jesus was merciful to us, but you see people in need of healing and are caled to make things right. When you se injustices, you are called to make them right, and you bring others along with you Look for ways to grow this gift with healing ministries or community service projects in your church or community

The spiritual gift of knowledge and teaching is for those who hunger to know more about God You love to learn about God and the Bible, and telling people about them is exciting Perhaps in you'll lead a Bible study or preach sermons that call people to action and tell them about God's grace.

Evangelism

Evangelism is a call to every Christian, but if your highest gift was evangelism, your heart is likely burdened for the lost and pray for them to know Jesus. You are gifted with an indwelling of the Holy Spirit to tell people about Jesus. Maybe you're called to start a ministry or speak to your friends about God.

GIVING ALMS

INSTRUCTIONS

Gather Supplies: Instructions:

1 large coffee can or other container Stickers and construction paper glue or mod podge

What is an Alms Box? Alms are another way of saying giving money to the poor When we are entrusted with money, we are to be good stewards and help those that have less than we do. We do this by giving to our church, giving to charity, or helping others we meet in our day to day life.

Cut a hole in the top large enough to fit a quarter or half dollar Decorate your box with prayers, hymns, or Bible verses (as well as stickers)

Pray for people daily and drop a few coins into the box to be brought on Sundays

How do I use my Alms box? Whenever you find that you have loose change, drop it in the Alms box or if you are given money, think about those who are less fortunate and put a bit into the box. When the box is getting full (or on Sundays), bring it to church and bring it during the offertory. Talk to your pastor or priest about starting a special children's collection that you can vote on where the money will be best spent

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CHALLENGE

INSTRUCTIONS

Gather materials:

Large sheets of construction paper

Pair of scissors

Markers or crayons

Tape

Something to hang it up (tape, string, etc)

Instructions:

Cut the constuction paper into long strips

Think up at least 45 acts of kindness that you can do between now and Christmas

Pick one act a day to try to complete (doing more than one is always fun, too)

Create your foundational link for your chain by writing one of your favorite Bible verses that has to do with kindness, giving, or charity (I've included a few on the next page) and forming it into a ring. Attach this to the wall where you're going to have your kindness chain.

Every night find your completed challenges and form them into rings Loop one part through the previous ring and tape closed

When you finish all your challenge, take pictures and send them to your priest or pastor so we can share in your joy

What are Random Acts of Kindness?

Random acts of kindness are the types of actions that we do daily to help other people out This could be something as simple as holding the door for someone, or giving someone your umbrella

When do I do my acts of kindness?

Try to do one each day, but feel free to do more! The goal is to create a habit of kindness.

Why random acts of kindness?

We're called to reflect the light of Jesus into our world, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to reflect his peace and mercy onto others.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GIVING

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise Luke 3:10

Just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving 2Corinthians 8:7

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God 2 Corinthians 4:15

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Hold the door for someone Offer someone your umbrella Eat lunch with someone sitting alone Bake cookies for a neighbor Play with a new friend at school

Help someone with their homework Feed the birds Offer someone your pencil if they need one Say hello to people in the hallway

Look for something good in everyone you meet. Offer to help cook dinner

Offer to help watch younger siblings or kids in church Make something to give away Say thank you to your teachers/parents

Offer to help altar guild or acolytes get ready before service Keep someone company

Send a card to someone you haven't talked to in a while

Create blessings bags for our homeless neighbors

WHAT IS TITHING? INSTRUCTIONS

Bag of skittles

Give each participant a varying amount of skittles (there may be some complaints, assure them that if we follow along, everyone will get some)

Explain that a tithe is giving to the church. We typically consider 10% of what we are given as a tithe, but for today, the tithe will be one skittle. Ask each participant to give one skittle to the church as a tithe. If someone says that they will not give their skittle, allow them to do so. For those that did give skittles, show how much they still have left, even though they gave some away. Explain that the purpose of a tithe is to help the mission of God and part of that is to be able to bless people who are not as fortunate as we are. Give skittles to everyone such that everyone has the same number of skittles. Use the second bag if necessary. Explain that even though some people do not tithe, Jesus' love is freely given. Explain that tithing is for joyous givers it should never be forced but what a wonderful thing it is to be a part of God's blessing

The General Thanksgiving

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things Amen

A Litany of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea We thank you, Lord

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ, We thank you, Lord

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends, We thank you, Lord

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve, We thank you, Lord

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play, We thank you, Lord

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity, We thank you, Lord

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice, We thank you, Lord

For the communion of saints, in all times and places, We thank you, Lord

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;

To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever Amen

Prayer for God's Goodness

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you have plans for me that are for my good and your glory You said, “Give, and it will be given to you; for in the same measure as you give, it will be given to you again ” We give to you today as a response to your goodness to us We ask that you receive our offerings and continue to supply all our needs May your peace be in our hearts, your grace be in our words, your love be in our hands and your joy be in our souls In your mighty name, Amen

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

As thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching, consider how you might impact a family during this holiday season

Ideas:

Adopt a family from the giving tree

Spend some time volunteering at the Soup Kitchen

Organize a canned food drive

What other ideas can you think of that would help families this season?

PUMPKIN INSTRUCTIONS

MUFFINS INGREDIENTS

1 2/3 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup caramel chips (optional)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6

In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, spices and salt

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg and sugar until well combined. Add the oil and pumpkin puree. Finally, add the vanilla extract and stir until fully combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix together Be sure to not over mix, just ensure that the flour is completely incorporated into the batter.

If using caramel or chocolate chips, fold these in now. Pour batter into lined muffin tin. Fill to about 2/3 full. Bake for 16 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes in the pan before transfering to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Cut out the questions below and chat during Thanksgiving (or regular) dinner

What is your favorite part about Thanksgiving?

Some people are unable to eat with us today what could we do to make them feel loved and included?

Who are you most thankful for, and why?

What do you wish we could do more of at church to better our community?

How am I fortunate?

What is something you take for granted every day?

What challenging life experience seemed terrible at the time you were going through it, but turned out to be a positive event and you are now grateful you went through it?

Have you ever received a blessing from a total stranger? Tell me about that experience and how it made you feel

What is the best thing that happened to you today?

Name someone who helped you become the person you are today What do you appreciate most about that person?