Krista’s Thanksgiving Sermon October 9, 2022 – Churchill-Gilford Pastoral Charge

Churchill Gilford United Churches

Minister: Krista Moore kristamlive@gmail.com

WELCOME TO CHURCHILL GILFORD!

Please join us this Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Gilford United at 9:30am (1477 Gilford Rd), or Churchill United at 11 am (6306 Yonge St. Churchill), to hear our full services with full scripture readings and music and stay for our fellowship time with coffee/tea and treats!

SCRIPTURES for OCT 9, 2022:

Psalm 100 (Call to Worship) Philippians 4:4-9 (Paul’s Letter to be Thankful) John 6:25-35 (Gospel: “The Bread of Heaven”)

SCRIPTURE SUMMARY:

The psalm encourages us to rejoice in God, who is good; Paul’s letter helps us to be thankful and focus on all that is good, true, and worthy. Jesus teaches us that all good things come from God, and to come to him to be fed the true bread of life which is the Spirit.

SERMON – KRISTA’S REFLECTION:

Have you ever been so weary that you just fell into bed exhausted? I know I have. Our bodies often tell us when we need something. When we are hungry, or thirsty or need rest. But sometimes, even when we have all our physical needs met, something else can still be missing – something beyond the physical or what the world can provide.

Jesus talks about this very thing in the Scriptures. He’s just fed the 5000, so the people should be happy, right? But some of the crowd follows him around asking all kinds of questions – when did he come? Will he show them more signs? and What do they need to do to follow him? They’ve been fed, so why are they still hanging around? What are they looking for?

Jesus tells them – he knows their hearts. He knew they were hungry, and so he commanded the disciples to feed them. There was not enough to eat so he multiplied a few loaves of bread and some fish. It was a miracle.

But Jesus says to these seekers, “you’re not seeking me for signs or because of what you SAW me do – you’re seeking me because you ATE of the true BREAD I gave you.” What does he mean? Jesus gave them life, hope, and a new beginning. Something to kick-start their faith.

Now they want MORE.

And who can blame them? When I experienced Jesus’s presence in my LIFE I NEVER wanted to LEAVE HIS SIDE – even though I can’t physically see or touch him, I know he is present and has touched my life and fulfilled me in countless ways where other people can not. He always gives me what I needed. And He gave me a gift from Heaven…

Back in 2008, I had come to the end of my acting career, it was another recession, I was home a lot with my kids, and I was contemplating my next actions. I also felt something missing deep inside. Beyond the career question, which was fulfilled over the next few years, I needed something immediate to satisfy that inexplicable urge to create, feel, and relate to something bigger than myself, to create a beautiful life. I made a list of some things I hoped for, almost like a daydream. One of those things was a dog.

My husband and I had just babysat this cute cockapoo down the street, named “chestnut,” and I got used to having a little ball of fluff around to focus on and love. When chestnut went back home I felt a gap. My heart was yearning for a little friend to hold onto. I imagined what that might look like, but I honestly didn’t see us getting a dog – my husband didn’t want to take on the responsibility, and it was always “maybe someday.”

Well, one day we were dropping our daughter off at school. I was driving the car, and Steve stayed back to help Heather with something. As I drove back home, I saw this little white fluffy head poke up from the bushes in our neighbours front yard. I slowed down, rolled down the window and called out, “Hey you, what are you doing there, you little rascal?” I didn’t see an owner, but the dog looked quite content sniffing around in the bushes, so I went home.

About 15 minutes later, the front door opened, and the same little dog came bursting through, and stopped to pee on our plant by the door to announce his arrival. Then he spotted me sitting on the couch nearby, bounded over, and leaped up to lick my face. I was FLABERGASTED!

My husband came through the door looking a little forlorn and said, “Well, you wanted a dog. Now figure out where he came from!” I laughed and couldn’t believe it. This dog looked just like “chestnut” the dog we had babysat, also a cockapoo, and the cutest thing I had ever seen – (other than maybe my children when they were born!)

We reluctantly posted posters and called animal shelters and the humane society, and within 2 weeks, no one claimed him. The vet said he was only a puppy, about 8 months old and in perfect health. I couldn’t believe it. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? We celebrated him and named him after the dog we babysat, only instead of chestnut, we called him “peanut.” I began to tell others this story and called him, “The little dog that dropped from Heaven.” Just like the manna or bread that dropped from heaven for the Israelites, which fed them in the desert – this dog dropped from Heaven and fed my weary soul. We all fell in love with him instantly, and he was a joy in our family for over 14 years.

The truth is, I really believe, God answers prayers. We needed a dog, whether my husband liked it or not! And I think Steve will admit now, that peanut fulfilled our family in ways that nothing else could. He truly was a gift from God.

Maybe some of you can relate to that, or the day your children or grandchildren were born? I know some of you are celebrating new children and grandchildren and you must know the feeling of joy they bring – something you can’t describe – and you NEVER get weary of talking about them or showing everyone who’s willing (or not willing) their pictures. And so, you should!

In two weeks, we will celebrate 2 baptisms at Churchill United. What a blessing! After years of bad news, the pandemic, war and family losses, we can finally celebrate the bursting forth of children, a new generation to give us hope for the future. To love, cherish and adore them, to fill our days with Thanksgiving and praise.

All good things come from God.

Jesus gives new life through the children, he loved children – and I imagine he loved all the animals too – the dogs, cats (Keith’s kittens), calves, and sheep. One day we’ll have to have a blessing of the animals to show our thanksgiving for them in our lives!

Jesus’s teaching today about the Bread of Heaven represents physical and spiritual blessings in our lives – we will talk more about spiritual things in the weeks and months to come – (and you can come to Bible Study where we go deeper every week and have fun!)

Jesus is the spiritual Bread of Heaven, the one who sustains our bodies, hearts, and minds. He is the Bread of Life, the living water, the intangible joy, hope and appreciation that wipes away every tear and banishes death and darkness forever. We can put our trust in him, the One who points to all the blessings we receive from God.

The psalmist invites us, and Paul the apostle tells us, to shout our praises and focus on the GOOD THINGS – Love, friendship, appreciation, community, family, prayer, physical food, and spiritual food. These are the blessings that go beyond the Thanksgiving table – they start here (in the HEART) – and point to so much MORE (the Bread of HEAVEN).

When we close our eyes and lay in bed at night, let’s recount our many BLESSINGS. After the food is eaten and our bodies are tired, and we are filled. Let us remember the wonderful things God has placed in our lives – food, shelter, family, friends, work, love – because every good thing, every encouraging word, loving gesture, new family member, animal, baby, friend, or neighbour – ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM GOD.

Jesus, as our spiritual provider, feeds our soul – He feeds the hungry and thirsty, providing us with physical sustenance, and he also fills our hearts and souls with SPIRITUAL sustenance. HOPE. FAITH. LOVE. And so much MORE. He did this for the 5000. And He is doing this for US NOW.

When we are seeking spiritual comfort, reassurance, fulfillment, love, and appreciation – something beyond this physical world – JESUS IS THERE. Let’s give our thanks and praise.

I am grateful for Christmas for Kids (the year-round charity our churches are a part of), and the incredible work of the organizers and volunteers who filled grocery bags, packed turkeys, and hams, and delivered goods for over 38 families this Thanksgiving, inviting them into our family. I felt the intangible Bread from Heaven shine down on us as we exchanged smiles and words of appreciation.

Although the organizers and volunteers did a lot of work – and I even lifted a few heavy bags – let us remember who is the source of all our Good.

Jesus said to the crowd asking about the bread, that Moses didn’t feed the Israelites the bread from heaven or manna – the tiny wafers that fed them in the desert. God did.

God answers our prayers.

We can appreciate people, animals, babies, rainbows and sunsets – but let’s also appreciate God who created them all for our enjoyment.

All Good things come from God.

If Jesus is the Bread from Heaven and fulfills our every need, let’s turn to him, and ask for what we need. To fulfill our hopes and dreams. Whether they are physical things or spiritual things, when we receive them, let’s soak them in, enjoy every precious moment, and give our thanks to God.

And so, we say: Thanks be to God. Amen