Thank You!
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy...
Philippians 1:3-4 ESV
As I thought about November and the national Thanksgiving holiday, a memory of an old television sitcom came to mind. Throughout the 1980s, a series called “Newhart” aired on the CBS network. Starring comedian Bob Newhart as the main character, the series recounted the misadventures of this character, who, though he was an author, somehow ended up as an innkeeper at a small hotel in Vermont. As a child, the show’s humor didn’t speak to me, but I mostly remember how the main character was frequently bothered by three men who were brothers. Two of them never spoke, but the one brother always introduced himself in the following way: “I’m Larry. This is my brother Darryl. This is my other brother Darryl.” Now that I am grown, I can see why many found the show funny.
One episode of this show came to mind as November, the month of Thanksgiving, approached. The details are sketchy in my mind, but I remember that Bob Newhart’s character received some kind of community award. Because he was afraid of leaving someone out, he decided simply to say a general “thank you” to everyone at the podium rather than listing off the people who had helped him along the way.
But as time went on, the character felt an overwhelming sense of guilt that he didn’t take the time to thank specifically everyone who deserved it. The episode ended with Bob Newhart’s character standing at the same podium in the late hours of the night, struggling to remember everyone who helped him, even in some trivial way.
Our human sinful tendency is to focus on the negative, and that is part of the reason that Thanksgiving as a holiday is important. There is no end to things in this world that could be and should be different. But sometimes that reality keeps us from living in thanksgiving for the abundance we have right now, all of which stems from God’s grace. God has indeed given us much at different times of life: health, family, friends, shelter, clothing, food, and life itself, just to name a few key things. Martin Luther referred to these things as “daily bread” in his Small Catechism. And God has also given us faith and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
One thing I am thankful for this month and throughout the year is this church. We have a great congregation here at Grace Lutheran that consists of many great people. So, like Bob Newhart’s character, I want to take the opportunity to say “thank you.” The following might be more amusing for you if you imagine me like Bob Newhart, standing at a podium in the wee hours of the morning:
I want to thank Beth G. for her work in the office and organizational ability that keeps things running smoothly. I also want to thank her for the usually thankless work of cleaning, which also takes place behind the scenes.
I want to thank Sue Ellen for sharing her gift of music through organ and piano. I want to thank Cherl and Valinda for also sharing their musical gifts in the form of organ and piano and their willingness to step in when needed. I want to thank Diane for her gift of conducing an excellent choir. I want to thank all choir members for sharing their voices and contributing to the worship life of the church. I want to thank Becky W. for her work with the Grace Notes handbell choir and all who devote their time to enhancing our worship life through that group. I want to thank Kate, Sue Ellen, and Becky W. for helping choose hymns and songs for worship. I want to thank John for his work in organizing the Men of Grace choir and Tom W. for his willingness to direct it, even while not being a member. I want to thank Kim Lutz for sharing her gift of flute music with the choir and anyone else who helps accompany the choir.
I want to thank Paul for his steady leadership as the president of the church council and Matt for his role as vice-president. I want to thank Carl L. for his attention to detail as secretary, and I also want to thank Linda K., Vicki, and Casey for their service on the church council, making sure that the “inreach,” “outreach,” and “upreach” of this congregation’s life receive adequate attention. I want to thank Jeff S., Amber, and Jeni for having served on the church council earlier. I want to thank Rick and Jackie for handling the congregation’s finances in a good and responsible manner, always important for any organization.
I want to thank Bob for his never-failing concern for safety and security as well as efficiency. Thanks also go to Larry and Scott for assisting with him. I want to thank the following people for their willingness to serve on the medical response team: Jim, Sarah, Vince, Bill, Cindi, Cherl, Jeff H., Bonnie, Vicki, Casey, and Bob. We are so fortunate to have so many people with medical training in our congregation. I want to thank Carl L. for his work with the facilities of the congregation and everyone who has worked with him to accomplish so much, some of whom are not even officially members of Grace: Dave, Scott, Will, Pete, Jonathan, Terry, and John. Your work in the areas of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, and general maintenance is so appreciated.
I want to thank Meg for her work as sacristan as well as Kelly and Beth R. for their continued work in preparations for worship. I want to thank Jeff S., Kelly, Jim, Tom R., Jackie, and Cabot for serving or having served as assisting ministers and in so doing demonstrating that our liturgy is truly the work of all God’s people.
I want to thank John for coordinating the lectors for Sunday morning and other worship services. I want to thank Ada, Valinda, Ana, Twila, Barry, Tom R., Becky, Rick, Beth R., Paul, Bill, Theresa, Bob, Meg, Cabot, LuAnn, Casey, Lisa, Cherl, Lillie, Chris, Kelly, Connor, Kaye, Dylan, Karen P., Jackie, Karen L., Jeff, Jim, and Jessica for serving as lectors in worship. I want to thank Rick, Meg, Kelly, and Christian for running the sound system and streaming for worship.
I want to thank everyone who has served as a greeter for worship on Sundays: Anna; Travis, Kelli, and Piper; Anna and Pete; Susan and Krislyn; Brenda, Leslie, and Emily; Shane and Jessica and family; Casey; Scott and Tara; Dennis and Marian; Rick and Vicki; Ginger; Meg; Jeff and Heather; Linda M.; Jeff and Julie; Larry and Valinda; Josie; Kelly; and Karen P. I want to thank Kolie, Henrik, Abby, Krislyn, Karsen, Brody, Brayden, Sophia, and Stella for serving as acolytes.
I want to thank Beth R. for her work with the community VBS along with all other volunteers. I want to thank Theresa and Casey for their help with organizing youth activities. I want to thank Karen P., Theresa, Jessica, Linda K., and Kelly for their help with Adventures in Faith/Sunday school for the youngest of our congregation. I want to thank Kris for facilitating the adult Sunday school group in between the two services.
I want to thank Tom R. for changing the message on the church sign almost weekly as well as for assisting with shut-in visitation. I want to thank Kate, Daria, Beth R., Theresa, and Barb for their work with the Backpack Ministry. I want to thank Kelly and Jason for organizing the Backwoods Fest volunteers and everyone who has volunteered to help with that endeavor.
I want to thank Jim and Sharon for organizing the Tuesday’s Table fellowship each month. I want to thank Sally for providing fellowship snacks for Sundays and other occasions. I want to thank Wanda for her work in providing meals for funerals and other occasions and everyone who has provided food for such occasions. I want to thank Carl K. for organizing and leading the Monday Bible study. I want to thank Karen L., Valinda, Becky R., and Jeni for organizing the church library. I want to thank Patty and Jim L. for organizing the dart ball team. I want to thank those who have helped with the Manna Monday meals in the past: Sue, Ada, Vicki, Jim, Glenda, Sandy, and Becky R.
I want to thank Bob, Carl L., Jeni, Dave, Pam, Ana, Jim, Tom, Rick, Larry, Dennis, Marian, Theresa, and Beth G. for agreeing to serve as LifeWise security volunteers, making sure children get safely to and from the elementary school across the street.
I want to thank Cherl, Linda K., Valinda, Theresa, Susan, Marian, and Kaye for leadership of the Women of the NALC at Grace. I want to thank Kaye and Becky W. for leadership of the Friendship and Monticello women’s circles. I want to thank everyone involved in the quilt group at Grace.
I want to thank everyone who attends and participates in the worship life of the church. The simple act of your presence is an encouragement to me and others.
And like Bob Newhart’s character, I know that I most likely left someone out who deserves mentioning, yet another sign that I am still human. I was as thorough as I could be with the information available to me, and this newsletter underwent many revisions as I remembered many people I had previously neglected to mention. These are simply the people I can remember who have been involved in our congregation since I arrived. Thanks go to everyone who has been involved before I began serving here as well; your service is no less significant. I trust that you will forgive me if I omitted your name. Please know that it was unintentional.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, he began with thanksgiving for “you,” which in the Greek language of the New Testament is plural. He wrote these letters to actual groups of people in the earliest years of the Christian faith. Two thousand years later, I echo his words as I think of all of you here at Grace Lutheran Church. Know that I also remember you all in my prayers. When I do, “my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5) with thanksgiving.
Pr. Tom Jacobson