Counting Your Blessings

This time of the year with Thanksgiving approaching makes me as a pastor want to offer up thanks to God for the blessings that have transpired through the year.  Yes, as a pastor I do have my ups and downs in ministry.  Not everything turns out as I would like.   However, I realize that my ministry "runs" on God's grace and know that my own strength will not always carry the day.

Here is a list to what I offer up to God in prayer for what I am thankful at this time:

1.  Thank you for another year of ministry in Word and Sacrament.
2.  Thank you for the visitors who have come to explore ministry at Savior Divine.
3.  Thank you for helping us to get the financing for our bus ministry for this year.
4.  Thank you for some new riders on the bus.
5.  Thank you that we were able to repave our parking lot (and for the generosity of Moraine Valley Community Church)
6.  Thank you for the many people in the congregation who have helped in the different aspects of worship.
7   Thank you for the many people we have been able to serve through Elsie's Pantry and for the many vendors and individuals who have donated food.
8.  Thank you we were able to do a special concert in the summer to help us raise money for our ministry.

I feel that we have been blessed in many ways to carry out our ministry!

For what are you offering up thanks in prayer to God at this time of the year?  Is any of it connected to your experience at church?