Praise and Thanks

"Gratitude... takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God."
--Thomas Merton

I don't know about you, but I take things for granted all the time... My warm home, food on the table, nice clothes, a loving family... all kinds of things, everyday. I take them for granted and I forget to say "thank you."

Part of being generous is being generous with our words - our thank yous, our praises of others, our acknowledgement of the blessings in our lives! That's why we've been making a paper chain of thankfulness at church - a reminder of ALL the things we have to be thankful for! That's why we've been starting meetings and small groups asking people to say something they are thankful for - an "out loud" reminder. That's why we keep talking about - and writing about - the blessings in our lives... it's so easy to take them for granted and to never say "thank you."

And when we take notice, when we appreciate, when we say "thank you" - we are being generous with our gratitude. We all like to be thanked and appreciated for the things we do - let's remember to thank those around us, too!

Who will you thank today?

Wednesday Thanks

Half way through the week - looking for a pick-me-up? Here's some more things our congregations is thankful for! Feel free to add yours in the comment section!

Good health

Antibiotics

Diane

Eric's soup

Zoo

2010 will bring 2 new Great-grandchildren

Faith

Family

Penny

Emotional support

Megan

20+ year olds

Husband

Understanding people

Fun people to work with

Hot tea

Freedom

Markers

Good friends

Good parents

Missionaries

October rain

Courage

Prayer

Family

Hope

Support

Healing

Kim

Wind

Melissa

Beautiful frost on the ground

Quilts

Smiles and hugs

Sunshine

Warm shiney weather

Productive days

Understanding husbands

Opportunity for growth

Dogs

Stars

Coloring

Hearts

Young children

Those who follow through

Happiness

"If we learn how to give of ourselves, to forgive others, and to live with thanksgiving, we need not seek happiness. It will seek us."
--Anonymous

A perfect quote in the midst of the last couple of months at church! Forgiveness... Generosity of ourselves... Living with Thanksgiving. God - and happiness - are in them all!

When do you feel happiest?

Sermon Notes - Nov. 15th, 2009

"Who is the most generous person you know? I love the story about the generosity of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. His life reflected his beliefs. As he finished his post graduate work, and began to teach, he was spending his salary in "typical" ways. His reason to live differently came in the shape of a cleaning woman who worked in his residence. He saw that she wasn't dressed for the cold. As he reached into his pocket to help her buy warmer clothing, he didn't have money to give. He realized he had spent his money on things that weren't making a difference in the world.

"From that moment on, he began to seriously give away his extra. Only he didn't define 'extra' the way I might. He decided he could easily live on the 30 pounds he was making, in fact, he gave away two. The following year, when his salary doubled, he continued to live on the 28 pounds he had been comfortable with the previous year, and gave away32 pounds. The next year he received a raise to 90 pounds: lived on 28, gave away 62 pounds. He kept this pattern throughout hs life - even when he was making 1,400 pounds through speaking and writing.

"Wesley felt that the Christian should not merely tithe but give away all extra income once the family and creditors were taken care of. He believed that with increasing income, what should rise is not the Christian's standard of living but the standard of giving.

"2 Corinthians 9:7 says that God loves a cheerful giver. May we be those particularly loved!"

--Pastor Penny Zettler

(Photo courtesy of Google Images.)

Sunday at SPUMC - Nov. 15, 2009

It was another beautiful day at St. Paul's UMC!

The education hour was learning all kinds of interesting things:

* The children talked about how wonderful God is and that we should find ways to worship and praise God all throughout our daily lives!

* The confirmation class met with Pastor Penny and their parents to watch the NOOMA video "Rich" and learn about all the ways we are rich and can give back to God.

* The Philippians study was talking about Paul encouraging us to take strength from God, live out our faith, and live with joy!

* And the Wired Word group was graciously led by Ryan this week - talking about the Fort Hood tragedy and were our faith fits into such horrible incidents.

Worship was continuing the theme of Extravagant Generosity - and all the ways our gifts can open doors in our lives, in our community, and in the world! Rhea generously shared part of her faith journey with us and Jeanette led a wonderful children's chat (reminding us of the childhood poem "here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors, and there's all the people!")! Today was also the first opportunity to make your pledge for 2010 - be sure to bring your pledge cards next week to support the ministries of SPUMC!

We are so blessed to have so many gifts and talents present in this congregation - so many ways that people are able to share their faith with one another. (And so many great cooks who bring yummy treats during fellowship hour!)

Watch tomorrow for Pastor Penny's sermon notes!

Teaching Thankfulness

Our theme at church this month is generosity and thankfulness. Each Sunday (and other times while in church groups/meetings) we have been asked to write something we are thankful for on a chain link and we are making a large chain... it has been fun...something EVERYone can do....

It got me to thinking... I teach at a Junior High...special ed students to be specific...learning and behavior mostly. On Thursday I got to thinking about my students while I was at a church meeting writing on chain link...I was thinking "I wonder if my students would be able and WILLing to do the same activity...

I thought about it for awhile when I got home. I didn't want them to perceive it as a "baby" thing...as Junior Highers often do....I tried to come up with a clever poem to read to them...but I couldn't... I tried to come up with some things I am thankful for...but I just thought they would ignore me...

It was then that I spotted my Turkey.....

and thought...ah ha? I will offer them a sucker if they play along! And play along they did! I am proud of them... many came up with several things...some didn't want too...many passed up the sucker and some asked "can we do this again?" So...I will keep it up as long as they want to play! I think it is good for them!

(Submitted by Beth Johnson. Have a story about thankfulness or generosity you'd like to share? Email it to Megan at findmeg@hotmail.com)

Thoughts on Saving - Clothes

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin." --Matthew 6:28

"As you build and sustain your wardrobe, there are many ways to keep it the style you want without spending too much.

"Define your style. Know what you want before you go looking so you won't buy something just because. It's like the grocery list. If you have a plan, you'll know what to look for. Avoid buying just because it's on sale. Even if it's a great sale. You don't need another one if you already have three like it in your closet.

"Avoid using credit cards as much as possible. If you have one that gives cash back on purchases or other perks that you will use, consolidate all your purchases on the one and pay it off, always, on time...

"...You can have great, personal style without overbuying. Set wardrobe goals. Don't shop and buy willy-nilly. Only buy what is a part of your plan.

"Avoid trendy clothes.
Buy clothes with lasting style.
Add flair with accessories.
Find quality clothes at alternative stores.
Avoid high-maintenance clothes.
Wash in ways to preserve the life of the fabrics.
Learn to sew on a button and mend a hole.
Find a good shoe guy (and a tailor if there's just no way you'll learn to sew!).
Use sales, coupons, and specials - and never pay full price.
Help the kids learn to shop and spend wisely.
Get support and help if you're spending your way into debt."
--from the book, "99 Ways to Stretch Your Budget" by Cheri Gillard

What's your favorite way to save on clothes?

(Photo courtesy of Google images.)