Date Posted: 2024-11-25 06:22:25 | Video Duration: 01:14:05
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church is a vibrant community that gathers each week with a spirit of belonging and gratitude. On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, the church’s sanctuary was filled with warmth, laughter, and even an unexpected visitor—a bird. This light-hearted event was woven into a message that reminded everyone of the omnipresent spirit of God and the call to live with gratitude and generosity.
The sermon, grounded in scripture, took its main references from Psalm 16 and Matthew 6, focusing on themes of trust and thankfulness. The pastor began by reading Psalm 16:5-6, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” This passage was a reminder that God’s presence ensures security and joy, regardless of life’s circumstances.
In the New Testament, the focus shifted to Matthew 6:25-33, where Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about their daily needs, saying, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” This scripture served as a poignant reminder of God’s provision and care, inviting the congregation to trust in divine timing and abundance.
The pastor shared a personal anecdote about childhood worries over portion sizes, humorously illustrating how these concerns distract rather than serve us. “Jesus tells us that worrying doesn’t do anything. It doesn’t add a single hour to our span of life,” the pastor noted, emphasizing the fruitlessness of worry and the freedom found in gratitude.
Drawing from practical examples, the sermon highlighted how gratitude transforms lives, citing scientific studies on its psychological and biological benefits. The congregation was encouraged to engage in an eight-week gratitude journal practice, with journals available for both adults and children. This exercise was presented as a spiritual discipline to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, impacting both personal well-being and community life.
A touching story from the wider world was shared: the tale of Ernie and Cheryl Johnson, who found joy and purpose in adopting their son from a Romanian orphanage, despite his incurable illness. Their story illustrated how gratitude and generosity can emerge from life’s most challenging moments, offering a powerful example of love’s enduring impact.
As the service drew to a close, the pastor invited the congregation to embrace gratitude as a daily practice, urging them to “try not to worry, call on happy memories, and serve others.” These actions, the pastor assured, would fill hearts with joy and bolster spirits. In a time of offering, the congregation was also encouraged to reflect on their gifts and consider how they might share them with others, extending the spirit of gratitude and generosity beyond the walls of the church.
The message of the sermon was clear: gratitude is a choice, a conscious act of faith that can transform lives and communities. As the congregation departed, they were reminded to “take time to step back, to take in the fullness of how God is at work in your life today and every day.” With this charge, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church was sent forth into the world, inspired to live with open hearts and a spirit of thanksgiving.
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