Dear Church,

I remember the encounter like it was yesterday: It was a lovely autumn Sunday in 2003. I was in Ohio to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. And we had gone to the church where my dad grew up, as he was invited to preach; and my brother, John, and I were to preside at worship. I got to St. Peter's in Delphos early. I lingered outside to enjoy the morning air. I watched the first person arrive for worship. Slowly, and with difficulty, a dear senior woman made her way up the sidewalk-with her walker-towards the entry. I greeted her with "And how are you this morning?" And she gave the best one-word answer there is: "Grateful!" That was it: “Grateful!”

The routine answer to my question would have been "Fine" or "I'm OK". But her answer was a beautiful, unexpected testimony. "I am grateful!" She didn't need to elaborate! I could tell she was grateful to be alive; grateful to be able to come to worship; grateful for a church that welcomed her and cared for her; grateful for a God whom she could count on for grace and strength sufficient for the day!

As we head into fall, even with all that’s going on in our lives and in the world, consider making this elder saint’s mantra your own: "I am grateful!" is a powerful prayer; a wonderful response; and an outstanding witness! It can be on the lips of anyone who knows what it means to belong to God and to enjoy life in Jesus' name!

And as we think about gratitude in general, let’s give thanks for those public servants who do their job amid the challenges of today’s politics; and those farmers and truckers who are doing their job despite high diesel prices; and yes, those immigrants in our midst who work in caregiving, farming, roofing, cleaning, and hospitality and all sorts of jobs that need doing. We can’t do without the faithful work of others!

And as always, I am grateful to serve a congregation that welcomes others, that steps up to the plate, that has joyful servants, that knows how to care, that knows how to give, that knows how to worship, that knows how to enjoy one another’s presence, that knows how to lift up others in prayer. Thank you! Pastor Paul