Although we should be thankful all year round, there is something for me about the season of autumn that makes me feel more thankful. Maybe it’s seeing combine harvesters in the fields, getting stuck behind more tractors on the roads (!) and crops being gathered in that reminds me to be thankful. Being thankful for creation and thankful to farmers across the globe that provide our food, I’m reminded of a verse in Psalm 67, ‘The land yields its harvest; God our God blesses us.’
Autumn is a season of thanksgiving, a season of praise and a season to share God’s love with others in the food donated and then shared with others. Obviously we can do this all year round!, but autumn has traditionally been a time to take stock of all that God has provided.
Normally, at a Harvest Festival Service, we often explore topics such as creation, how we should care for it and each other, or the fruitfulness of the earth. At St James Church, we will be celebrating Harvest in two ways this year. We will be having a Harvest Supper on Saturday 19th October with musical entertainment. Please see the end of this article for more info and how to book. Then the following morning as part of our Sunday service we will celebrate Harvest and bring donations to give to Southam Foodbank to share with others. Refreshments from 9:45, service at 10:15 (See suggested donation list below)
Being thankful is an important part of life. As children, we are encouraged to say please and thankful. These short words are marks of respect and reflect the relationships that we have with each other and that we value the gifts that relationships bring.That’s how it works with us as people, but that’s also how it works with God.
God’s very nature is one of love, of generosity, and of provision. Often though we forget to say thank you to Him. We take Him and His gifts for granted. We sometimes forget to say thank you when life is going well and sometimes we struggle to find things to say thank you for when life is tough. But the Bible tells us ‘to give thanks in ALL circumstances and not to worry.’ We don’t have to give thanks FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. That can be a
real challenge in day to day life! So are you ready for the challenge?
Have a thankful autumn!
Vikki
HARVEST SUPPER with musical accompaniment: Saturday October 19th at 7pm at St James Church. Pre booking essential. Tickets £10 from St James Church Office 01926 812413 [email protected] or 07768 090178.