Non-Creative Thanksgiving Sermon Titles

Over the years, I have had my share of non-creative sermon titles. I take ownership for my share of lackadaisical thinking in this vital area of the prophetic witness. In particular, Thanksgiving sermons have been known to be breeding grounds for ho-hum sermon titles.

"So here is my top ten list of the most boring and obvious Thanksgiving sermon titles."

I think it's because we preachers are so focused on preparing Sunday sermons, that our creative juices hover around empty as we limp toward the Thanksgiving holiday. So here is my top ten list of the most boring and obvious Thanksgiving titles.

#10 - "A Spirit of Thanksgiving"
#9 - "Thankful"
#8 - "Being a Thankful People"
#7 - "Thanksgiving Is More than a Holiday"
#6 - "Becoming More Grateful"
#5 - "Are You Thankful?"
#4 - "The Importance of Being Thankful"
#3 - "Reasons to Be Thankful"
#2 - "Thanks Living"

And the #1 all time most non-creative Thanksgiving sermon title of all time is...

"An Attitude of Gratitude"

Attention all Preachers: As you prepare sermons for Christmas Eve this year, you are not allowed to use the title, "Born Unto Us." I've heard that about 1.3 million preachers have already claimed it.

Serving Meals this Thanksgiving

Our church was featured in the local newspaper for our weekly meals as well as the Thanksgiving meal we provide each year for those in need.  The article explains that our meal ministry started as a result of a bible study group who wanted to put their faith into action.

Click on this link to read the article which appeared in the Sunday paper.

I am so thankful for the many servant volunteers who offer their time in this vital ministry!

The Imperfect Thanksgiving Meal

 

Sometimes we church people take  ourselves way too seriously.  We attend church, follow the bulletin, and go through the motions.  That's all well and good but sometimes we do all of these things and still miss the joy of being in the house of the Lord.

During today's staff chapel worship, the staff member who was leading our time of worship helped us to experience the joy of the Lord in ways that she didn't anticipate.  She began by reading Psalm 100, a wonderful psalm of thanksgiving.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him, bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

As is our staff chapel tradition, the person who leads the worship, also provides the communion elements of bread and juice.  Before the staff members came forward to receive the Sacrament, she cautioned us, "The juice might not taste right because it's a little old." There were a few snickers from staff members as we thought about the communion juice possibly  having a little kick in it.

Quickly, we composed ourselves as we began to form a line to receive the Sacrament. The staff member served us by holding the bread and the filled chalice of expired grape juice. Usually the line to receive communion moves rather swiftly as each person tears off a piece of bread, dips it into the chalice and communes, but not this time.

The first person in line attempted to tear off a piece of bread but no matter how much she tried, the piece she was grabbing just wouldn't tear off.  That's when I heard the staff member who brought the communion elements say, "Oh, I probably shouldn't have bought sour dough bread to use for communion!"

This prompted more giggles and laughter as all of us wondered if we might each need a pair of tweezers to use on this stubborn type of bread. Finally, the piece ripped off and the first person in line dipped it into the expired grape juice.

The next person in line had the same problem.  After he worked at it for a few seconds, the staff member who was holding the bread said these words of encouragement to him, "Good luck."  I have received Holy Communion all of my life and I don't ever remember hearing the communion officiant say the words, "Good luck!"

Again, more laughter.  Finally, after everyone had communed, we regained our composure and shared in a closing prayer. 

One thing is for sure.  We will never forget this staff chapel worship service when we used sour dough bread and expired grape juice. It was like God was saying to us, "When things don't work out the way you want, you can still be filled with joy." 

Holy Communion is also known as the Eucharist which in the Greek means "thanks." Holy communion is a thank you meal.  Joy and thanksgiving go hand in hand.

This Thursday, as we gather around the table for the great big meal with family and friends, don't worry if the stuffing is a little too dry or the rolls stayed in the oven ten minutes too long.  It just may be God's way of helping us to not take ourselves too seriously.

All we need to remember is to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

Happy Imperfect Thanksgiving!

Here's to a Tension Free Thanksgiving!

This has circulated around the cyber world many times but it is worth repeating here during the week of Thanksgiving.  May your holiday be filled with peace and happiness and void of tension and the feeling that everything has to be just perfect.  I think the story below is actually true.  It's the food equivalent to Bridezillas.  Enjoy!

From: Marney

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

The Mike Byron Family

1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.

2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).

3. Toppings for the ice cream.

4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob Byron Family

1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.

2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family

1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle Bobble Family

1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.

2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon

3. Proscuitto pin wheel – please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.

4. A pie knife

The June Davis Family

1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.

2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)

1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.

2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

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The Indescribable Gift: Grace - Part II

The Gratitude Dance. God's indescribable gift of grace will do this to you. Check it out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I took our dogs for a walk through the windy and cold rain late yesterday afternoon, I heard someone singing. It was the little neighbor girl and you would have thought that it was a Hanna Montana street concert!

She has a wonderful singing voice and it was a gift to hear someone singing joyful music in a place and a time you would least expect. She sounded so much better than any song on my mp3 player. As I rounded the corner with my dogs leading the way (my doggies love their walkie!) this singer in the making spotted us and just like that, the concert was over.

I'm sure she was a little embarrassed but she reminded me of that old Irish proverb, "Sing like no one is listening. Dance like no one is watching. Live every day like it is your last."

During this week of the Thanksgiving holiday, let's remember to sing, dance, and live in response to the overflowing and generous love of God through Jesus Christ.

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.