11.17.24 GIVING THANKS FOR OUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE: Thankful for the Moment (Thanksgiving)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Philippians 4:11b-13
Dear Trinity Family & Friends,
This Sunday, I am excited to bring a message that I believe will resonate deeply with many of us. We will be focusing our hearts and attention on the idea of being “Thankful for the Moment."
If you’re like me, life often feels like a race from one activity to the next. There’s always something on the horizon, something to prepare for, and before we know it, we’ve moved through an entire day or week without ever pausing to be fully present. In that rush, how often do we miss the beauty of the moment we’re in? Even more, how often do we fail to give thanks for that very moment—whether it’s filled with joy or challenges, ease or struggle?
In our time together, we will turn to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Philippians 4:11-13 to guide our reflections. These scriptures remind us that there is a time for everything, and in every season, we are called to ground ourselves in gratitude and faith. Through these passages, we’ll explore how to truly embrace the moments we are living, learning to appreciate both the highs and lows, knowing that each has a purpose.
As we prepare for this week’s sermon, I invite you to reflect on these questions:
- Can you relate to the feeling of rushing through the day without taking the opportunity to pause and appreciate the moment? What small changes can you make to slow down and notice the blessings in front of you?
- In challenging or difficult seasons, how do you typically respond—do you focus on escaping the situation, or do you seek God’s presence within it? In those harder moments, how might God be inviting you to grow or find peace rather than simply wishing them away?
- How can you reframe daily routines and tasks with a spirit of thankfulness? What would it take to see these mundane and potentially stressful realities as opportunities for connection, growth, or simply living in God’s grace?
I look forward to reflecting on these truths with you and praying together as we seek to live more intentionally, appreciating the gift of each moment. See you Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Carrie