Hello everyone,
This Thanksgiving will probably be different from what we had planned. No matter what your plans were, we can still live Thanksgiving by giving thanks.
I have been reading Gratitude, The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass and I stumbled on to David Steindl-Rast. He is a Benedictine Monk who has thought a lot about gratitude. He writes, “We are never more than one grateful thought away from peace of heart.” Need peace today?
Follow this link and scroll down and watch the video “A Good Day.” Let
it soothe your soul. https://www.
And a little heart work for you.
The American author, Melodie Beattie writes: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life… It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Think of one thing from your past you are grateful for.
Mrs. Blank taught me to read in third grade.
Think of one thing about today you are grateful for.
I will zoom with friends today.
Think of one thing about the future you are grateful for.
Winter nights watching it snow.
Now repeat and now think of two things. Gratitude redirects our minds and opens us up to possibilities.
All three of these authors have spent a lot of time thinking about gratitude. That sounds like good work, doesn’t it? It also sounds like a path that leads to God.
I am grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org. And join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and posted all week long.
This Week At WDMUMC
Thanksgiving Day Worship! At 9:30 Pastor Cindy and Pastor Trevor will lead us in Thanksgiving prayer and the Cross Generations Trio will lead us in a special Thanksgiving song. At 4:30 Bishop Laurie Haller will lead us in a worship service. You will find it all on our website and Facebook page.
This Sunday Advent Begins! We are making our way to Christmas! Pastor Trevor will be preaching and leading us in communion. Have bread and juice ready in your home so that you can join in this holy moment. And following worship, the children will have Sunday school via zoom. Contact Pastor Trevor if your family would like to join in.
Advent Candle Lighting Each Sunday we will light a candle on the advent wreath. If you would like to start this tradition in your home this year, the weekly advent readings will be posted on our website. There are lots of fun ways to create Advent Wreaths.
Luminaries! If you would like to light up your neighborhood this Christmas with luminaries, you can purchase them through our website. All proceeds will be used for our hunger program, Everybody eats!
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