A Note from Michael Gossett
The Blessing of Thanksgiving
It is the most wonderful time of the year! If you have been around me any amount of time, you will most likely understand that I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. Around this time of year, however, it is easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of expectations which prohibits the ability to be intentional. Thanksgiving is not just a holiday to be celebrated. It is one of the foundational pillars to our relationship with Christ and His people. Scripture is not lacking in commands or expectations for God’s people to simply be grateful. As you look to scripture and maybe pause for a moment as you are reading this, answer the question: “What am I thankful for?”
I want to take a moment to say that I am thankful for you. This is not some sort of semantical ingenuity, but rather a deep and sincere picture of my heart as I think of you and pray for you. Thank you for being the church family that you are. In no way am I trying to depict a perfected community of believers, but even in the midst of the imperfections among us, there is much to be grateful for with one another.
It is this time of year that the Lord gives respite spiritually, and potentially for some, physically. But it may not come in the form that you think. As I am writing this article (or at least my attempt), I am surrounded by noise, chaos, and distraction of every kind. For many of you, you may be experiencing the same type of holiday rest. When you think about the holiday season, it is difficult to even begin to comprehend some sort of respite. However, this is the design by God Himself to give annual, monthly, weekly, and daily rest to His people. Annual festivals throughout the Old Testament were observed to celebrate God’s goodness. These festivals were spiritual markers of blessing for the people of God and a way to bless the Lord by means of remembering. This in turn would produce gratitude within the people of God. Regardless of your annual, monthly, weekly or daily rhythms, each one of us is called to a place of thanksgiving….
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we should remember that Thanksgiving is a posture of heart more so than an exercise for our lips. It must be more than a feeling prompted by turkey, dressing and ham. Thanksgiving is a worshipful response for those who have been called out of darkness and into marvelous light. Ephesians 4:7 says, “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” How could this not draw us toward a posture of worship, gratitude, sincere faith, and love for Christ and one another? We have more to be thankful for than any one of us can truly imagine. You and I are created to give thanks to God and we are created to give thanks to one another. Give thanks to God for what He has done, and give thanks to God for family that He has given you. And don’t forget to give thanks to God for your church family that He has provided. I give thanks to God for you.
This Sunday at Green Acres
This week, we are continuing our World Mission Offering Emphasis! It has been a really exciting couple of weeks watching the Lord move among us, draw us into His presence and call people to Himself. We have seen salvations, calls to ministry, baptisms, new life, and so much more! This is your church family! We want to continue to grow in the likeness of Christ doing what only God can do! I am pleased to tell you that as of the writing of this article, we have received 25% of our WMO goal. Wow! Praise the Lord for the way He is using our church!
With that in mind, we must also be aware that currently, we are close to $300,000 behind budget giving year to date. I want to ask you to prayerfully consider how the Lord may be asking you to participate in ministry partnership with Green Acres. Thank you for your love, your support and your continued prayers as we work together for the Gospel of Jesus. If you would like to give to the World Missions Offering or to the general budget you can go to gabc.org/give. Thank you for being faithful!
This Sunday is going to be the final WMO week in service, but giving can continue through the end of the year. I am excited to worship with you! You can join us at the Tyler Campus at 9:30 or 11:00 for worship, 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 connect groups, our Flint Campus at 9:30 and 11:00 for worship and Connect Groups and our Español Campus at 9:30 for Connect Groups and 11:00 for worship in CrossWalk. We cannot wait to see you here!
Christmas Tree Lighting is happening this year on December 3rd from 5:00pm – 8:00pm! This is a free event for our whole community and church family! I want to invite you to not only be a part of this incredible event, but also be in prayer for God to use this night to reach people all over the city of Tyler. We want to make every effort to make this fun for the evening, but to make an eternal difference in the lives of people. Cannot wait to see you there!
I am so excited that the East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be honoring Pastor David with the Distinguished Citizen Award on December 5, 2023 in our Crosswalk Conference Center. This is a well-deserved award and could not go to a better man! If you would like to be a part, table sponsors are available here.
Cannot wait to see you this Sunday!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett