Messages About Thankfulness

Recently we asked our pastors and churches what they were thankful for, and we’re grateful that we received several replies. Here are the replies in no particular order:

Hope House Detroit Fall Fest Outreach
Saturday, 11/1/2025

Hope Community Church provided volunteer support to our neighboring Hope House Essex Street location for a Fall Fest. Hope House is a separate non-profit entity that provides after-school and evening programming for grades 1-12. The Saturday event brought out kids from the neighborhood for an afternoon of games, food, and the “spooky basement.” There was a very competitive Halloween costume contest and an even more competitive pie eating contest. Close to 80 people including kids, parents and volunteers attended. Organizer Amy Kestner says, “I saw only smiles and happy screams from the kids, and that’s an awesome thing.” 

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Kingdom Embassy, Muskegon
Arthur Duren – Lead Pastor

October 31st, we were proud to host a Trunk-or-Treat event to serve our community. With more than 15 decorated cars and a food truck offering hot dogs, chips, and hot apple cider, we welcomed over 500 people! The event was a wonderful collaboration between Kingdom Embassy Covenant Church and the Kingdom Community Center. We are so proud of how our community came together to create a safe and fun space for families to bring their children for trick-or-treating.

I am also grateful for the growth of our after-school program, which is now at full capacity, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade in the Mona Shores School District. Our program focuses on teaching life skills, providing homework help, and offering games and activities that encourage relationship building. One of the main highlights is our hands-on science sessions, made possible through our partnership with the Muskegon Community College STEM Lab.

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Mosaic Covenant of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, MI                                            
Noah Filipiak – Lead Pastor

I’m grateful for the hiring of Jack Sytsema as our Pastor of Discipleship & Operations, and I’m grateful for our pastor team. See photos for a recent pastor appreciation surprise from our congregation. Photo 2 is to make sure we got Josh in there, who wasn’t in the room initially when they brought us up. 

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Mission Covenant Church, Sugar Grove, PA
Rev. Sara Charlton

I am thankful to serve a church that prioritizes feeding the hungry in our community. This little free food pantry is filled daily with non-perishable food and personal hygiene items. On average, staff and members have witnessed 8-12 cars stop by per day. Our blessing box is primarily funded by the church members, who recognize the grace they have been extended by the Father, and want to share that with their community. I am thankful that in this difficult season, this church continues to shine the light of Jesus by feeding the hungry and caring for the under-resourced. 

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Pleasant Community Church, Warren, PA
Rev. James Swanson II

I am most grateful for my kindergarten and 1^st grade children that I have the privilege to work with every Wednesday night during our Kids Club Program at Pleasant Community Church in Warren, Pa.

We begin with dinner together, followed by a time of singing which has led to the formation of a kids choir that I’ve named, “Joyful Noise.” Joyful Noise sang, “Give Me Oil In My Lamb” during our worship service on Sunday, Oct. 19, and are scheduled to sing, “Give Thanks” and “Jesus Loves the Little Children” on Sunday, Nov. 16. Following our singing, we share in a devotion, crafts, and games.

This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for early childhood educators!

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Turkey Dressing (or, Stuffing is Like the Church)
Patrick White

I’m most grateful for the turkey dressing/stuffing that our family devours each Thanksgiving.  Among other things, this dish reminds me of the Church.

What!?!  First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are great passages that list all the different spiritual gifts (ingredients) that help make up a dish of faith community.  We need everyone represented so the church functions to its fullest potential just as the more ingredients in the dressing the better.

We start with the basics: celery, onions, eggs, giblets (chopped turkey liver, heart and gizzard), cornbread, bread, and then add turkey broth, sausage, oysters, turkey meat, butter, grapes, orange zest, apples, mushrooms, salt, pepper, parsley and sage. There’s very little measuring with this. When the mountain of ingredients has been gathered then it’s fun to put plastic gloves on the grandkids and have them do the mixing in a huge stainless steel mixing bowl. Lots of hands make for especially good eating. There’s nothing like being up turkey’s epiglottis with a handful of stuffing.

On Thanksgiving some of us could very well live on turkey dressing alone.  It’s always an added bonus to ladle hot gravy over our scoop of dressing.  Likewise, a fully functioning church means every gift is being utilized.  If one person dominates or is overbearing, then another loses opportunity to serve.  A generous ladle of the Holy Spirit inspires all to give of their best.

I’m like the little boy when asked about the Thanksgiving meal.  He said, “I sure liked what that turkey ate before he was cooked!”

From chopped liver to you other ingredients.  Happy Thanksgiving and bon appetite!

Let us be inspired by these words and carry forward a spirit of thankfulness in our lives, celebrating every blessing—big or small—that we receive along the way.