Grateful

Grateful

In Ephesians 1:15-19 Paul writes “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Paul is grateful for the faithful in the church in Ephesus and expresses that gratitude from the beginning of his letter. The word for “giving thanks” in the original Greek is “eucharisto”.  And the root of this word, “charis”, means “grace”. Our word for Communion, “Eucharist,” comes from this Greek word. When Jesus broke the bread and poured the cup he gave thanks. In other words, he said grace.

To you Church I say “eucharisto”, not simply for the gift certificate and the beautiful artwork from the children for Pastor Appreciation, but also for your hard work and faithfulness to this church, your appreciation for your long and rich heritage which will proudly be on display this coming Sunday, and the ways you are intentionally seeking new opportunities to respond to the needs of your community. Listening for God to enlighten your hearts you seek ways to show the love of Christ. And for that, I am grateful. Sunday will be a very busy day with the Kirkin’ o the Tartans, the remembrance of our dearly departed who have entered into the Church Triumphant during worship, and of course, the SC History Tour in the afternoon. I hope to see you all as we may give thanks together.

Peace, Josie