Updated 11/7/23
Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for the countless hours you have spent preparing for Sunday School, baking some continental breakfast for our koinonia coffee, and praying for those who shared a request during life group. We have prepared and celebrated wonderful events like Easter, Founder’s day, Congradadulation, and hosted our annual Harvest Festival for our community. We wouldn’t be the warm, loving church without you. Thank you so much for showing the love of Jesus.
I want to share with you a silly movie that helps us see why Thanksgiving is important. Last Friday, my family watched “Sherlock Gnomes” on Netflix. In this computer-animated parody of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Gnomes takes his assistant, Watson, for granted. Sherlock becomes so full of what he can do that he loses sight of how much Watson has done to help him solve their cases. Watson gets fed up with Sherlock and walks away from their partnership. When Sherlock encounters a powerful villain, he realizes his great need for Watson. Sherlock is unable to defeat this villain alone. With help from Watson and some newfound friends, they solve the case and the villain is vanquished.
Sherlock shows me that I can be so preoccupied with things that I forget how much my friends and family have helped me. Thanksgiving reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God. Our family, friends, finances, and fun come from God. I encourage you to thank your family and friends who have supported you this year. Share with them how they have specifically helped you. Likewise, let us make time to stop and thank God. As Psalms 107:1 directs us, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Please join us for our Thanksgiving Potluck happening this Sunday, November 12, right after worship service. This luncheon is our annual family feast of yummy, delicious goodness. For more information, contact us or go to our church website at www.laholiness.com. If you have any concerns or needs during this holiday season, please let us know. We would love to walk with you and support you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
With a Grateful Heart,
Michael Furuyama
Senior Pastor at Los Angeles Holiness Church