QUICK! Say the first thing...

that comes into your mind when you hear each of these words:

As Christian people, I would hope that CHRISTMAS and EASTER would invoke some reference to the reason for the season. Even unchurched families probably know WHY the holidays exist, even if they don't understand the ramifications of God sending and sacrificing His Son for our sins. For the 4th of July, I'd bet 9 out of 10 people would say FIREWORKS. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, has evolved into a day almost totally devoid of it's original intention. Again, if I were a betting person, I'd wager that most people would quickly say either Turkey or Football. In fact, many people refer to the day as TURKEY-DAY instead of Thanksgiving day. You need not have a degree in English to figure out that the holiday was named after an action:

THANKS + GIVING = a Time to GIVE THANKS.

The traditional meal of turkey and dressing and cranberries is certainly important to many of us, but, we are called to a higher purpose on that day; we are called to GIVE THANKS. To whom? To our employer, for paying us enough that we can have the big meal? To those who cooked the fantastic meal? To the TV networks for flooding our homes with endless hours of men chasing each other while holding an odd-shaped ball? How about giving THANKS TO GOD? Where did that thought originate? How about in the Bible, God's Word? Yes, the phrase "Give thanks" occurs 42 times in the Bible! It's EASY to give thanks when things are "going good" in your life, but that's not always the way it is. Yet, the Bible tells us:

Those last two verses tell us that "Giving Thanks" should NOT be a once-a-year event, but a continuous part of our lives. Why not plan NOW to come to the Bartonville-Area Community Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 22, 1999, and begin a new habit of giving thanks? This year, the service will be at Bethel Lutheran in Bartonville. A mass choir from all the participating churches will sing, and ministers from each congregation will assist. Please join us, and invite your friends to come with you as we GIVE THANKS to the Lord.

This month, instead of ANSWERING a question, I'm ASKING one. I encourage you to MAKE A LIST, yes, WRITE A LIST, ON PAPER. Post it in clear view where it's easily available; the FRIDGE DOOR is a good place. Then, start NOW and see how BIG that list can become. If you can't fill an entire sheet of paper, you're not thinking hard enough! Then, I encourage you to BRING THAT PAPER to the Thanksgiving service, and PRAY your own silent prayer of thanks as you read through the list before the service starts.

Meet our Members - Scott Frerichs. This month, we feature Scott Frerichs, our council-appointed elder. Scott is a life-long member of St. John. He took music lessons as a child, and now sings tenor in the Gospel Choir. Scott is single, and studies at ICC, with hopes of going to seminary. He also works as our Parish Coordinator, works at Fairview Farms restaurant, as a local sports official (referee/umpire), and raises, trains, and officiates at dog fly-ball competitions. Scott listens to 98.5 FM, and likes all types of Christian, Country/Western, and EZ Listening music. At age 19, his favorite is modern "rock". What does he say about music in worship? "The role that music plays in worship is that it tells you a story and makes you aware as to how you are God's chosen disciple. In my life, music makes me feel relaxed and peaceful."

Until Next Month: Remember to " 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. "

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory)

Donald L. Bauer, Choral & Contemporary Music Director