Thanksgiving is almost upon us! Like many people, I am in the midst of contemplating travel plans and recipes. We are going to Maine to visit my Dad for Thanksgiving and plan to bring a few of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes to share: Lime-Pear Salad, Pumpkin Pie, and Pretzel Dessert.

Yet, the important thing about Thanksgiving is not what's on the table. The important thing about Thanksgiving is what is in our hearts.

There's a self-expansive aspect of gratitude. Very possibly it's a little known law of nature: the more gratitude you have, the more you have to be grateful for.
– Elaine St. James, author, leader of the simplicity movement

Do you find the above statement to be true? Personally I find that when I am conscious of my blessings I see even more blessings in front of me. What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

Lord, may our gratitude for all your gifts expand this Thanksgiving time, that we may see you in every person and situation we encounter. Amen.

This week is the last week of our Christian Year. On Sunday we celebrate "Christ the King" Sunday and then embark on a whole new year, complete with the beginning of Advent.

"Christ the King Sunday" often gets lost amid the Thanksgiving festivities, but it is an important day on our liturgical calendar. It is on this Sunday that we lift up Christ as our all in all. We celebrate Christ as the visible image of the invisible God. Christ was. Christ is. Christ is to come.

How do you experience Christ as King of your life? As a Christian, do you feel called to celebrate Christ's reign? In our age of democracy, is it difficult to relate to the imagery of Kingship?

Blessings to you on All Saints Day! Today (November 1st) is the day we remember all those who have finished their course on earth and have gone on to glory. On Sunday we will light candles in remembrance of the members of our church who have died since last year. We will also light a candle in memory of the other loved ones we have lost and will have the opportunity to speak their names aloud.

On All Saints Day we often read Paul's words from Hebrews 12:1-3

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

As people of faith, we recognize that those who have died remain with us. As Paul affirms, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Who are the saints of your life? Who makes up your cloud of witnesses? May we give thanks to God for all those who have touched our lives.