Last Sunday, November 19, was my week to teach my Sunday school class at Vineville UMC. As we wrapped up a three-month study of the biblical concept of covenant, we moved from the old covenant to the new covenant, reading passages from Hebrews. Below are a few passages that stood out to me:
Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone—and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it. Make sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people…. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s continue to express our gratitude. With this gratitude, let’s serve in a way that is pleasing to God with respect and awe…. (Hebrews 12:14-15, 28-29).
I should add that my class is full of Wesleyannes, and the message of the day awakened in some of them a fond memory of family-style breakfasts in the Wesleyan dining room, where students sang their way into each day with these words:
God has created a new day,
Silver and green and gold.
Live so the sunset may find you
Worthy His gifts to behold.
All over the United States, greens and golds and silvers of Thanksgiving tables are being prepared this week. Families and friends will gather to share their love, eat way too much good food, reminisce about the past, and offer words of thanks for their many blessings. At Wesleyan, we will have our traditional holiday banquet next Thursday—served family style by faculty and staff. But today, with hearts full of gratitude, we pause from our busy plans, travels, and worries about final exams to offer thanks for our students, faculty, staff, alumnae, trustees, and for our Macon community.
Indeed, we are grateful for our many blessings, and you are one of them. As the writer of Hebrews said, “let’s continue to express our gratitude” for our many gifts, for one another, and for Wesleyan College. The Wesleyan community joins me in wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
With thanks,
